Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-24
\ rETTA,s eyes grew more kindly.

NETTA's eyes grew more kindly.
~ "Wcll. don't get 70 upset. she
said. "Hcre--1ll take you back 10
my place for some tea. It's only tiny
furnished f,nt--but It's all we could get:
and we're going abroad soon, 80 DON
bother much
She hailed passing taxi. md bundled
Elizabeth into II unceremonio lousy.
Presently she said abruptly:
Hes doing quite we'll now. YOU
know. Tho French people seemed to ike
him as soon nv he got over there. ana
some o.d French countess. or whatever
she was. took him under her wing. ana
made every one 60 to him to he tnugnt.
She made him the fashion in
three months, and now he's doing ever
so WELL"
"1'm glnd--1'm very glad" Eliza
beth said family.
'Hc wanted to chuck II all up when
yor never answered his letter. Ncttn
went on. "Ic would have done 1t II II
hadn't been for me--I made him stick
to IT," she laughed apologeticnlly. II
told him that there were as good hsh
In the aea az any TINT had been caught
Il used to hope he would forget you,
and take fancy to some one else. Hes
the sort Of man who ought to have 4
wife,"
Elizabeth looked up: her fnce was
drawn and peaked: she could not un-
dcrs:nnd why Meta seemed 70 delib-
cratcly trying TO hurt her.
Ought to have n wifc!' she echoed
mirthlcssly. GLOW can he when he Is
married nlrcady?'
Meta turned sharply.
tnI hn nsu ,ink n<y
stared hclplcssly Mt Elizabeth. then ::
Heavens! Didn't you know Enid was
dead?" she asked blnnkly.
''Dcnd!" Elizabcth's lips formed the
word. but no sound escaped her: she
closed her eycs-shc felt as II all the
breath had been scared from her body
by the sudden shock: the whole world
seemed to recedc, leaving her In n space
Of mists and unrealitics.
Then slowly she struggled back to
consciousness. to find Meta crying re-
morsefully and chatting her hands.
"iou poor kid. was so sure you
must know. Don't You ever read the
papers? Didn't anyone tell you She's
been dead three months--it was an ac.
cidcnt. She always took stun
to make her sleep. and she took an over.
dose. oh. what fool ain
Elizabeth tried hard to recover her
SELF but she was shaking in every
limb: 1t was some time before she
! could find her voice, then she said
cathlcssly:
"I'm all right now--quite all right.
Then suddenly she broke down into
bitter sobbing. "Oh, why didn't
! know! Why didn't I know?'
! Meta put comforting arms around
her.
She opened the door of the littl,
fat with her key and led the way in,
~ haven't 4 maid. but you just SC
into the sitting room and make your
self Mt home. The fires lit because !,
gets so chilly at night now. Freddie
Isn't in. Freddie's my hus.
bnnd-he's out with friend-so We
shall be quite alone
Elizabeth obcyed alphabetically. Sh'
was still shaken with sobbing. Sh'
sat down by the fire and hid her face
In her hands.
Royston was free. and she had no
known it: Royston had written. ant
she had never had the letter; she fei
that her heart would break.
She brushed her tears away. Sh
began to say in Il quivering voice
"What dear little room, Netta--
I think--'
"Elizabcth!"
Elizabeth rose to her feet and looke'
around with wild eyes; she thought sh'
must be drcaming--Onc OF the man!
cruel dreams that had tortured he
during the past five months.
Royston stood there by the door
his face was gray with passionate ngi
tation, but he tried to smile as thei
| eyes met
MY dcar--my dear" he said, ant
held out his arms.
Elizabeth gave Il broken. sobbing cry
she covered her eyes with her hand
.--Shc felt as If she was falling-thel
strong arms caught and held her. ant
her head was pressed to a mans throb
bing heart. ~ love you'll love you.
She heard him say it over and owe
again. as II the words could never b.
spoken often enough; then he genti
raised her. holding her face betweel
his hands. looking into her eyes.
~ never thought I should hold 20,
in my arms again" he said. II though
forgive me-that was forgotten.
Elizabeth tried to answer. but he
voice seemed to have gone: she LITE,
her arms and clasprd them round h!
neck. then the tears came. and sh
cried her heart out in the shelter of hi
arms.
And his own eyes were wet as h,
held her closely. whispering that h
loved her. and again how dearly h
loved her. till Mt last her sobbing cease,
and she lay quiet.
And presently Royston put the ruff
fed hair back from her face with
tender hand. and bending asked:
Elizabeth. how much longer must
wait to kiss you?'
kiss me-please kiss me- she whis
percd.
"soy you love me, then-say yo
love me.
~ love you with all my heart an,
SOUL" said Elizabeth family.
He drew sharp sigh Of contcntmcnt
and their lips met in long kiss.
"You'll never send me away again 2
Elizabeth asked presently; she could no
even now rid herself Of the last doubt
"Never-till the end of your life
or mine
She raised herself. the shy colo
flooding her face she tried to free her
self from his arms.
What is it? What is the matter? 2
he asked quickly.
"Nothing-only-I think m--afrai