Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-29
LOVE WILL NEVER DIE
BY JOHN HUNTER
Tho Happiost Day

..ment. He took Audrey's hand and
..,oned and kissed her on the cheek.
"Tbis is the happiest day Of all my
M" he said gravely. "For It has
,iyen me back my wife and my
daughter"
"Mamma ~ Audrey turned to Con.
.tsnce with q cry and put her arms
about her. -,
Connington stepped across to Aunt
ella, lie was singularly averse from
creating anything like a scene.
"I have always imagined you spend
,ne your days in a garden like this,
Ella" he said. "And after all, I think
,ou have chosen the wiser road"
Aunt Ella smiled up at him. She had
.,wavs liked her brother in law. "Yet
n would be a very lonely road II love
we're taken from IT," she said, with a
,,,ance in the direction Of Constance
and Audrey. "And It could easily be
10 empty and futile"
"It depends on the individual" said
bennington gravcly. "a lonely man or
Soman must always lead a somewhat
S"nIe existence, and a selfish one, un-
isss they have q career. BY a career
4 moan m aim In life."
He had been looking toward Con-
rance and Audrey as he spoke, and
Aunt Ella knew that he had had this
ittle chat with her. not only to mark
his friendship and esteem for her, but
siso to allow Constance and Audrey an
onnortunity of talking alone. 1t was
Constance herself who interrupted
them.
tne.room," she said. "Will you all
come inside?"
Connington rose and offered Aunt
mia his arm, and Constance walked
ahead with Audrey.
They had tea in an atmosphere Of
n,hdued happiness. Constance was
more nervous than Aunt Ella had ever
seen her in her life.
Audrey was rather silent, and Aunt
Ella knew Of what the girl was think
~; ;Conn,ngton talked smoothly and
easily.
IIe was relating a humorous incident
IN which he was involved while staying
IN Sutherlandshirc some years previous.
when Audrey interrupted him with a
little cry. She was sitting facing the
window, and she suddenly stood up,
her face white. They all looked round
toward the garden, and Constance shot
4 swift glance toward Aunt Ella.
Jim Hardness was walking up the
path toward the house.
Lord Connlngton stopped talking
abruptly. He could not quite under.
stand the reason for the interruption tc
"Who is this young gentleman
be asked.
Constance answered him. HE Il
speaking" She looked around quickly
at Audrey, and Connington's eye'
lishted with a swift comprehension.
"He Is just In time for tea,' h
observed.
The smooth remark broke the tension
and told Constance how 10 act. In al
instant all the nwkwardness wa
stripped from them, and, with Audre!
beside her, Constance walked over t.
the window.
"Mr. Hardness !" she called. "Wil
you come in this way? We arc havinl
tea"
Hardness turned quickly, hesitatet
for q moment, as though taken abacl
BY the frendliness Of the greeting, AM
then strobe across the lawn to tn
window.
Constance noted that as he walke
his eyes were fixed on Audrey, n
though he searched for something Il
her face, something which he had hope
for long time he might find. Sh
wondered how she should speak to him
for In her head still burned the memOr
Of their last interview. She resolved
would be the best to take Connington'
Indirect advice, and be friendly. Con
nington was usually right in thes
matters. Already Constance found her
self depending upon his decisions.
Harkness reached them and held ou
bio hand. For a fraction Of a secon
Constance hestitated, then she tool
Il. She had so much to be thankful TO
that day, that there could be no room
tor animosity in her thoughts.
u hope I'm not intruding," sal
Harkness. II didn't know you ha
visitors until saw the car down at tn
Ssts."
Hs was turning to Audrey as h
poke, and it was Audrey who an
swsrsd him.
Lord Conninston Is inside" sh
nd.
1 Harkness did not answer. The an
nouncsment appeared to have disturbe
him. He had shaken hands wit
Audrey. and still retained his hold 9
her fingers. won't you come in?'
she asked. II am sure you must wan
acup Of tea"
THANK you,' answered Harknes
sfavey, and followed them into tn
room.
He greeted Aunt Ella, and her smil
Tor him was cordial and welcoming
Connington, studying them, the tai
; sssy man Of tho world, and the quaiI
little woman who had sat all her life
4 garden, read, with the swiftness c
one trained to read such things,
message In their meeting which Nigh
not have been apparent to q man
less acute understanding.
Constance introduced him. MI
harkness-Audrey's father, Lord Con
nington. Geoffrey-Mr. Hardness.
She told Harkness everything in tho'
hw words, and his incredulity WI
rejected In his face. 1t seemed hardl
possible that she and Coninngton hn
come together again.
Connington extended his hand
darkness, and Constance realized, a
most subconsciously, that there was
measure Of approval In the action. Cor
ahston was a man whose handshak
were sparingly distributed.
believe l owe you debt, NJ
Inatkness. You have spared me a gre
esal Of worry and trouble, and possib
9Ved me from making some enemie
! must congratulate you on the WI
works."
Thau ma nina4e