Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-13

and Harden's deep voice asking II Miss
Dangcrfeld were at home.
Molly walked sedately across the
room, past the bed which was strewn
with the results Of her shopping In
London, and went downstairs.
Harden was in the hall, staring
rather vaguely at an engraving; he
turned when he heard her step, and a
smile crossed his grave face.
$50 you have come back 7" he said ,
Good evening!" said Molly sravely.
She knew that Jane was lingering
somewhere at hand to sec what hap.
pened, and 80 she made up her mind
that nothing should happen. She led
the way into the drawing room.
eyes, I've come back" she said, and
wondered what made her say anything
% obvious. She felt nervous--she
stood 20 that there was q chair and
table between herself and him.
II hope you have enjoyed yourself?'
he said politely. ..'',..
Their eyes met, and Molly laughed.
How formal we are Are you
angry with me?"
why should I be? Are you angry
with me for not having como to meet
your"
She screwed up her lips. -...
'Well,' she said. II think was,
just at first, but I'm not now," and she
took step forward and found herself
In his arms.
Afterward she was not quite sure
how she got there, but the arms seemed
very well satisfied to hold her, though
he only touched her hair with his lips.
"You wrote me such dear little let.
ters,' he said; he spoke as II she were
a favorite child who had been away on
q holiday. II am anxious to see the
pretty things you bought" '
Molly flushed and dimpled; she really
believed that he was sincere; she did
not know how very hard he was trying
to say the right thing-to let her miss
nothing Of the lover In his manner.
They're really very NICE" abe said
enthusiastically. "And I've got quite
lot Of change out Of the check. I'll
fetch it." She turned to 70, but he
caught her hand.
my dear Child, I don't want Il. I
quite expected that you would have
spent s|sa, ! It all and great deal more be.
He drew her down on the sofa; such
an old fashioned sofa it was, with a
carved back, and a hard, uninviting
bolster of cushion. =
"And Mrs.. Ashford?" he asked.
"Did she have q good time, too?"
Molly nodded.
"Yes. I am sure she did," She
looked up ut him with dancing eyes.
"Oh, isn't she a dear?"
"She's an exceedingly nice woman"
EVERY one know seems to have
got much nicer since I was engaged to
you," Molly said innocently. Even
Mr.. Wharton--I really quite liked him
this afternoon; he was awfully kind"
Must I be jealous?' he asked.
She laughed outright.
"Of Mr.. Wharton Oh. how funny |"
She laid her hand on his--such
small. excited hand 1t was; he could
feel the nerves tinglins in her soft
fingers.
AREN'T you getting scared?" she
asked him solemnly. Doesn't 1t seom
impossible that we're going to be mar
ried so soon?"
"I'm not at all scared" he an.
swered. "And hope you are not; we
fEs e Td s9as to 20 Hs sHss s1fs % But
it was too late. II believe all the
happiest marriages are where man
and his wife can be real friends as we'll
as-as anything else," he finished
lamely.
Molly nodded: she thought every.
thing he said was wonderful; she
stored this new sentiment up in her
mind to think over later on.
you've been the best friend I've ever
had" she said.
II hope you will always be able to
say that OF me-" he answered.
With sudden emotion he lifted her
hand to his lips and kissed It; Molly's
radiant face quivered.
"Oh!" she said breathlessly. II love
you to do that" q
Harden released her abruptly; he felt
ashamed Of himself; he wished
she would not so often bring home to
him the fact that he was not playing
the game.
This child loved him-perhaps not as
n woman loves the man Of her choice,
but still very deeply and sincerely.
He rose to his feet.
"You must be tired, and I am keep
ing you" -,
said Molly. Don't 30 yet. -
She stopped; tho doorbell had pealetl
again, ;4 I and and there were asitated voices
Presently Jane thrust a scared face
into the room. "Oh, INSISTS Mrs.
Fernald."
"Lilitb - 1t was only long after
ward that Molly remembered the way
I.ilith's name .sprang to Harden's lips
thu ohn RnupnaooI
to be critical, for Lilith had followed
the girl into the room; she was white
"It's my husband-Alec! He's so Ill.
md I've nobody to send for the doctor
the maids out. and" She stopped ;
Tor tho first time she seemed aware Of
IIarden's presence: she broke into |
tears, hiding her face in her shaking
lands.
"Oh. he'll die--he'll die, and there's
nobody to help him."
Molly started up.
"I'll go; III fetch the doctor: I'll
:un all the way!"
She was out OF the room before |
,ither of them could stop her, and they |
heard her race off down the garden |
path.
Harden went over to Lilith; he put |
nut his hand to touch her, then drew 1t
back.
Don't cry!" he said roughly. II
can't stand to Zee you cry. Let me help
you:. Let me como and see what can
do -
She looked up at him with tear.
drowned eyes.
"Yoi :" she said on tho top Of a sob.
"You don't care how unhappy
am" e.