Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-12-20


not for . moment
exercise she gathered strength and
courage. He wanted to go uptown with
her, but she insisted on going alone.
Tho House Of Mohun
Cherry did not know how she man.
aged to reach home with manner OF
outward composure. She was aware
that she suffered torturcs Of minl I, i
yet was conscious that in the subway
car she examined the advertising signs
rs usual--the collur advertisement OK
he boy with the straw co,orcd hair,
the food advertisement of the fried eggs
on the ham which had always looked
so nppetiz!ng to her on the way home
from down town--and the others of
soaps. Of washing machines, Of stockings,
Of underwear. The unintelligible
cries Of the guards, the roar of the
train, the jostlng OF the crowds--shc
her mind hammered persistently at the
one namc--B0b. Bob Bob. Her brother
he had been such lovable boy--a
little spoiled perhaps, but without real
harm in him - good lookiny---al-
ways immaculate--like the boy in the
collar advertisemen;-Bob.
Nor did she know how she managed
to join her father at the dinner table
without betraying her secret. His
newly found assurance and his cheer
fulncSs even made her burden more
difficult TO bear How could this news
be kept from him? How could she
cope with these new difficulties alone?
Women diSsimulatc with more skill
than men. What Cherry seemed to need
most was time in which to think and
plan. And so with an effort that was
not apparent to jim Mohun she tod
him OF David Sangree's offer of the
position as his assistant and Of her
doubts us to her capability. But he re-
assured her.
IF you must work. I'm better salts.
fed to have you with SanSrec,' he
said "Youll do well. If you need
brushing up--a few months at night In
4 business school,
Yes, might do chat" she said
quietly. There are library courses.
too. But I'm afraid Or. Sangrce is
only Offering the job out Of friend.
ship"
perhaps he Is. But don't think
/ he'll mind having you about lie said
whimsically. You know. Cherry. I've
never thought that DR.. Sangree's in.
, tcrcst in you was altogether scientific
| Cherry looked up from h"r plate;
! then contemplated her rice pudding So
berly.
Dear Old David" she mUttcrel. And
then, Hes tho best friend--e' cept
you, Dad-that I've got in the world.'
After dinner her father took out his
rigar. Cherry brought the matches and
! lighted II for him. II was n pleasant
! little formal!ty to which they had re.
! Gently become accustomed. In the par
lor they sat on IN" sofa hand In hand
! jim Mohun talked braveIy Of his plans,
! the pain IN her breast which seemed on
the point Of bursting. Neither Of them
! commented upon the absence of Alicia,
whose engagements now frequently
called her to dine elsewhere. Mohun
! thought that Cherry's silence was the
! silence Of happiness and understanding.
! It seemed to him that life had taken
on q brighter color for them both--and
that whatever the world bad in store
/ for them, they were at least blessed in
/ each other
A sudden commotion in tho street
outside which they heard c"arly
/ through the open window. the lights
| Of an automobile in the dnsn--tne
sounds Of voicna-and the hanging of
| the door Of a limousine. Cherry rose
and went to the window
"It's Muzzy and John Chichester, -
she sNid quietly.
A shadow fell across jim Mohun's =
! brow. lie rose heavily. II think III
| Lc going up, Cherry" he said.
But before he could cross 10 the door
Alicia had entered the room. 1t was
at once apparent 70 her daughter that
She knew everything about Bob E affair,
| for Al!ria's eyes we're wide and dry.
| the color spots upon her checks isolated
Cherry glanced ut her father, whose
quick eyes had already caught the signs
" disQuiot in his wife's appearance.
! And behind her in the dim hallway,
father and daughter had h gl!mpso Of
ChiChester'g grave exprefs!on
"Don't, Muzzy! Don't" Cherry ap-
penlcd quickly.
Eut Al!c!a's glance passed Cherry
ignored her.
70 her husband. Something has hap.
pcncd---"
"Mu2zy !" Cherry caught her moth
cr's arm. "Muzzy, come upstnirs, I
know about it. But it's all right. It's
all been arranged--I'l tell you.
And then with nm nir Of cnlmness,
Come IN, Mr.. Chichester. Ny father
cherry halted as she heard her
. fathers voice behind her, calmly In
cisive.
"Ono moment, Cherry" His brow'
were puckering in an effort at concen'
tratiOu.
ITS really nothing, dad--something
about me that Muzzy doesn't under
stand i" she gasped, "l'll tell you
about it tomorrow
NO" he muttered, AND then
"Wait, please, Cherry" He scemcC
now TO have himself under perfect con
troll, hut his gaze had not for mo.
mrnt left his wife's face. Alicia" h'
! commanded.
please, dad" Whispered Cherry
her hand on his arm.
But he thrust her gently aside.
Speak. Alicia! What is it,"
| "Someth!ng terrible has happened
| On. Jim :" 4 sob came into her throa
and chokcd her. There was Inomen
90 on--A it something abou
Cherry"
NO. no. It's Bob she gasped
Bob has" Her voice broke an,
shc turned away wringing her hands
jim Mohun was leaning forward on hi
cane-ixed like an image Of stone.
won't you speak outf' he de
manded jerkily. "What of bob
The situation was out of Cherry
hands. Her mother turned towar,
them again struggling for her courag
and gave her message with desperst
speed.