Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-03-25

"You don't love me?"
Then" said Strnnack, II shall
simply have to begin to win you all
over again. In the end I'll make you,
you funny, determined, little thing.
Wait till the elections over and my
time Is more my own. I say, II don {
get in, your objections will be wenk /.
ened. won't they? And IL you really
do care for me. you'll be glad that
they're weakened. So you hope won t
get in. So you're traitor to the great
cause of me-"
"Oh, don't!"
The tears were perilously near Ma.
dia's eyes again. She took up her
gloves and bag, and rose.
49,! must co. she said hurriedly.
II have to pack: I am going to live
he's rich, Wilfred. Enormously
wealthy. Isn't that stranger"
They left the tearoom. and Stranack
put her into taxi. She insisted on
going alone.
"Good.by." she said, Offering her
hand. 1t was difficult to meet Stran-
Jacks gaze, alive with laughter, and
yet tender. She wished he would take
his dismissal as fipal, but somehow she
was thrilled and comforted that lie
would not give her up.
Stranack took her hand and held it
a minute.
"Au revoir," he said. 'I shall call
on your father in a day or two, and tell
him my views about you, you--"
Nadia tore her hand away and the
taxi bore her off.
The small and perfect drawing room
of Claudine Crayne's house had emp
tied of all its visitors but one. The
gaming rooms downstairs were empty
her famous little dinners, and now
marvellous in a gown of peacock gauze,
was lounging on divan. Opposite
her Theed. glossy, Oozing self satisfac-
tion, was babbling cheerfully while two
stalwart servants removed the bridge
tables.
Presently the door shut behind them
and Claudine cut into the stream Oi
ponderous inanities.
~ want to talk to you." she began,
about that stunt of yours that you
put up the other night"
Thecd settled himself more comfort
ably in his chair. His quick eur noted
something like nervousness in the rich
voice. Sne wants 10 Dack out, nc
thought swiftly and his eyes narrowed
"1've had it on my mind good bit, y
continued C.audine. She took ciga'
lit it, and threw it away again. "And
I've come to the conclusion don't like
It. I'm sorry to let you down, but--l
don't like it,
''YOur first comment on 1t was that
1t sounded goOd," Theed pointed Out
amiably.
II know. So it does. as a stunt.
But there's an aspect of it that is rather
hard to swallow"
She rose and began to pace the room
every supple line of her swinging Ia
perfect harmony, her gown shining like
some exotic plumage.
Theed waited. his eyes now the mer
est Sits In his face.
w'm as thorough a crook as you. "
she went on, "but there have always
been limits. I'd stand in with you on
this, If my daughter were not involved.
I've done the dirty on my own child
once. and I'm not going to do it again.
In fact, give you fair warning that
I'm I'm going to do all In my power to put
Theed was too clever man to lose
his temper.
~ confess I'm touched" he mur-
INJURED. Touched to the heart. How
sacred Is this mother instinct let us
peer into the future together. I see
poor. neglected, docile little girl-thc
docility is impOrtant-ready to fall in
the arms of mother more sinned
against than SHINING. and-ask the said
mothers advice in the spending Of her
fortune"
"You cold -blooded brute" hissed
Claudine. She had wheeled on him.
painting. ablaze with rage.
"All right" said Theed imperturb-
ably. well put this motherhood stuff
to the test. You were quite right the
other night. know where your daugh-
ter is. I'll take you to her now If you
have the nerve"
"What?" cried Claudine, taken
aback. "Is she--is she in London? Is
she-near at hand?"
"She has been within ten minutes
walk of this house for some five years.
answered Theed.
Theed was scoring heavily. Claudine
was wholly unable to conceal her agi-
tation. Theed watched her.
~ thought you wouldn't have the
nerve to face IT," he sneered.
Idiot! It's past midnight. She'll be
in bed"
"Oh, no, she WON'T" replied Theed
with low chuckle.
Take me-" gasped Claudine.
She sped from the room. Theed went
into the hall. where, minute later,
she appeared in dark cloak which COW
cred her from throat to ankles. With
an imperiOus gesture she drew him away
from the front door, before which his
car was waiting.
'"This way
Mother and Daughter
A few yards away a high powered
car waited, the driver passive In his
sent.
"Tell him where to 60" said Claud-
inc curtly.
''Stop at the corner of the Old Kent
road" Theed directed the man. He
stepped into the car, in which Claudine
had already seated herself, and the car
darted forward.
man nature. He knew that the woman
sitting motionless during the short drive
was preparing herself for shock
trying to whip up the maternal instinct
which had been dead these tYenty.years.
lie grnned to himself.
The car slowed and stepped.
"Walt here" he told the chauffeur.
Then he helped Claudine to alight. "We
shall not be away long,
"It's a short walk and the pavements
are quite dry" he said, as he led her
down a narrow side street. Another
turn and two policemen confronted
them, cycling them suspiciously, and