Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-25
-o,s WHO IN THE STORY

lYgk.s .sscS Sklsttcotsd q sNs s'o'"' ~'v''
& ;cils II love c1N ..,.> ...I A,n 4.
~ mzlsKyssssmnnssS.'0rs::ssk s,s,s II. 0rs::ssk,ss: '" eorssr q
s!:;;s,:: :'s.saItSl. ed tSl.n::: ;0ss.,:: sscI
::.:s II: +: ~. ~ 'fs.s's s sos s':s :sss-'Ss s"s Il
as!sr~xcg ass,~x:c is SsENT4ysrsy. ~s:Asr,: ,: ~! ~
xisoms /. early middle cgs. .,ss Sms y oav,s ~
no eSss: es: !, On; Inc S1a 1a,vorssd nd oTs 81
~ cMoyNINGToN M - distt~outshsd 1.e.
AK .tSfssrnam, oJ an ossters tsmYerawsxs
~, i;sS' iSss y.s1. %nS 81 'asslssso lssss g :.-s: @
lgyr r.i;,at slatAwisHsS'w A;ciss wSors YoTX XudrsS hVss.
II RICHARD pREsLoTs.-ss;;.fs:::Ss, :. Il: ~, o. Hs.s HsS
ssiSx sho ,,aSs saSse'ss 70 20 take * ~" Audrey Srs
fss.,"S'iSUsmr .m,U'Ssr. Preslo.S. wSo q byll!'o~s sss
hsiStin0, schemes to many hsr.
~ DENBiGH-.-o Noht.hearte4 bys smeSeSS sS
s'ssy Sss ySss st'; I: ;ssssnliv sS 70 Ssa!:S
Coercion
,prsIOw nodded. His temples were
,hrobbine with rage. After all, he
:, ,he nephew Of Lord Conninston,
IA L for all this girl knew, she was
s...,y the daughter Of Constance
.rt Yet she was refusing him.
"so you do not care?" His voice
- harsh.
=, IA care. hate hurting you, but
! haow I don't love you. I like you
: iriend--nothing more"
prsslow stood up. His face was hard
~ you realize that you have played
az '9udrsv s did not answer at once. She
- wondering whether a gentleman
Ss,M indulge In recriminations.
III / have played with. you ] am
~ did not intend to do so."
S,:alov stared down at her. Her
1s'otsnes OF the accuse ton. and her
XII Tor the implied fault, had left
ncthins to say. At last hs snapped :
~tiTl beS you to excuse me. I Wish
n ta]k to your mother"
1Csrtainly.' 49,,
pscsiow swung Of toward the house,
~ ss he went he told himself that he
ri had one card to play, the card
n hsd placed In reserve on the after.
~ 70 had asked Constance Brent to
Siusnce Audrey in his favor.
Srs1lov found Constance Brent alone
= the drawing room sitting by the
- French windows with an unread
~ on her Knees. Constance looked
N as be approached, and read i'm
s,diately what had happened BY the
rpression on his face. She wondered
ilsbtly at the relief which pulsed in
u heart.
rreslow lounged through the win
tws, and flung himself into a chair.
Nj this moment Of trial his faults and
weaknesses were painfully evident, and
khs selfshness and vanity which lurked
Isneath his polished exterior were
eudsly expressing themselves. His
manner, as he regarded Constance, was
NV insolent attitude Of a snob toward
Cps whom he considers his inferior.
1--WE just been talking to your
t,ushter," he said abruptly.
Il have observed it," Constance was
kuy calm and aloof. Preslow might
I've noticed it and remembered her
seord, her reputation for cleverness
ut he was too full of his own wrongs.
u proposed to her some time ago,
sad che gave me definitely to understand
hat she was not unfavorably disposed
kward me. Now she calmly informs
ns that she meant nothing by it."
"Wel?"' Constance asked the ques-
don In detached way.
II am not used to being treated in
nch a way" answered Preslow.
life has many unpleasant surprises
b store for oil Of u.s." said Constance
aowly.
"You, Of course, must be we'll aware
that" The sneer hardened Con-
ance's eyes for moment. Preslow
v0t on. His manner was very as
Erd. After all. he was Sir Richard
Pteslow, and this woman was only a
tvorcee, an adventures whom in the
ordinary way he would not recognize.
u wish to marry Audrey. I am
Wy much In love with her." Constance
qlsd. And l am determined not to
N played with. shall carry this
ratter right through to the end"
Constance eyed him steadily. Pres
~ was not sure II there was q suspi-
20 Of mockery lurking in her dark
~, and for q moment he felt un.
nfortable, and his self assurance
vGed. It came to him that there was
okhing about Constance Brent, after
which was not obvious at the first
nes. Deep down he knew that had
= been a great society lady, a woman
nimpeachabls reputation, hs would
c meant II.
NJ last time was here" said
sasw, II spoke to you about Au-
81, and suggested that you might use
~ influence In prospsring my suit.
- Naded the issue, and ! agreed to
ny hand alone. I have done %,
owing to the hckleness Of q girls
aac have failed. I havs now
10 you for assistance"
!H" Constance looked out u the
vadew.. Underlying Preslow's speech
hint at coercion, q suggestion
Sn while he asked for assistance he
~ he could command that assistance
.hs wished.
Suppose I am in asrssmsnt with
lsdtsy," she said, "and refuse to
nnpt to force her into 4 match
ANrr'
.You arc opposed to me?" There
n, challenge in Preslow's tone.
PUT forward the supposition."
nnsow smiled. There are one or
~ points would like to bring to
Mut consideration before you make that
Eponaon a certainty" he said easily.
,.I aMer all. a hasty judgment can do
ner you nor me any good, nor,
~ t1st matter, can 1t do Audrey any
conscience turned to him. She knew
-! had reached the crucial point Of
~. W. aiscussion, and q strange exulta-
u'n hlled her. She hated Preslow,