Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-17
Edith Is Reused

T STARED at Edith with my eyes
wide. 1t seemed incredible that she
had come to my room for the purpose
Of appointing herself my moral censor
after her deliberate attempt to ensnarc
Norman. Even il Edith and / had
been closer than we were I should have
resented such interference, but now It
infurinted ME so that had difficulty
in holding my temper. But I crushed
back the angry words that were forcing
themselves to my lips and responded to
her attack as quietly ms I could.
"As you say" said. my lips curl
ing sarcastically, "it's nothing to you,
Edith. Really, IL Il weren't so silly !
might resent your speaking to Inc as
YOU have. After all ! and in spite of
the fact that you obviously think your
self woman Of the world. you're only
little girl, and You must allow me TO
be the judge Of what is right or wrong
for mo to do"
I was actually surprised that was
| able to speak so calmly and it did me
more than little good to tell Edit,
what I thought Of her. She had had
her own way in Norman's and my
establishment for too long, and It would
do her no harm to be put in her place.
But she wasn't so easily vanquished.
The cream Of her face deepencd suddenly
to scarlet and her usually inscrutable
eyes blazed.
IT suppose that means that you care
for him. she fairly shot the words al
me.
l was about to deny this when
thought better of il.
"And what possible difference coult
It make to you If I did, retorted.
She sprang to her feet suddenly an'
stood starting at mo, inCrcdulity anc
some other expression that l could no
make out battling for supremacy oi
her face. Her hands were clenChea. an
her slender body swaycd from side +
side. Clearly Shc was in the grip q
some terrific emotion AMI | could no
understand the reason for it. II Edit
had ever shown herself as possessing
human side. might have accounts
for her attitude by believing that sh
:, actually cared about whether or not
jeopardized my reputation. But she nj
; ways profeSscd to s~orn such n thing n
public opinion. Her carrying ON wit
Norman was proof enough of that.
: "You admit it, she said, ''yo
actually admit that sou care for him.
Her beroics made it possible for II,
@ to look at the whole thing even mor
4 lightly than l would have ordinarily
: and | almost smiled as returned. ''
didn't admit il. Edith. admittc
s nothing You're apparently determine
. to accuse me, and inasmuch as | con
Y slider it none of your affair haven
4 taken the trouble to deny it,
@ "Oh." she gasrcd. How dare yo
). stand there and talk that way. ! ha
t you. tell you. | hate YOU
And then before could reply TO h.
sudden attack. she had turned ar
rushed from the room slamming the doc
behind her.
For a moment lay still among Il
pillows Of the chaise Tongue. ] was
n loss to account for Edith's outburs
rack my brains ns ! would | Simp
could not understand It. Why shou
9 she fy into such a tempest of rnge ov
o Herbert and me? If she cared for ine
: could understand reason for h
q warning. but there had been more thu
{ a warning in her attitude, she had be-
I beside herself with anger.
g lay there for long time trying
n fathom the mystery. and il wasn't I'M
;. later when dragged myself up fro
the pillows and began to get ready T
he'd. that the old ache returned to Il
= heart, and ] remembered my own pro
q lem. Edith'S display of fireworks h
;. made me forget it for n time. but it W
, still there and wondered with a lit
sob in my throat Il things would ey
be right again between Norman and n
D, Tomorrow-hn Astounding Explanati