Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-12-07


- hill TO the railroad station and
backed it skillfully to the platform among
the hundred other motors waiting for
the express to come in. David Parry
often came down for week end at
the Woodlands suburban place, and
since his engagement to Jane had been
announced 1t was Jane who invariably
met him at the station.
Sometimes there were other guests
for the Woodlands. or perhaps it would
be merely one of the family. Mr.. Wood
land or young Roland, or Sally, but
they usually fell into the background
Of unimportance. David and Jane and
Joy rode together.
Jane was looking particularly lovely
this afternoon she wore a new frock
and soft Topping country hat that
made n. frame for her bewitching face.
"Six-tcn's late remarked the bag
sagemastcr- station agent -telcg,apher.
with a knowing look at Jane Wood
land.
Jane smiled and dmpled. Peter
llornbeak knew that the six ten was
David's train. She walked up and down
the long platform. stopping to speak
to n few friends here and there, and
then stood gazing down the line.
The train came rushing in, bringing
breath Of excitement and hustle from
the big city. Jane saw David's tower
ing form emerge from rear coach,
saw him assist n woman-they walked
together-he carried her bag. She wore
black cloth suit of extremely modish
cut. large hat swnthed in black
lace veil. She walked with jauntiness
that put James healthy stride to shame.
In ein of hr oh
ing pair.
The truth must be confessed at last.
Jane Woodland was Of very jealous
nature. She loved David. and il hurt
nrr to soc him pay any attention to
other women. lie rarely did, for Jane
filled his world completely.
"A smaller girl than I--and lot
prettier.' thought Jane bitterly as she
drew back behind pillar. Tempta-
ton prompted jealousy, to act. Jane
slipped around the station building.
jumped into her car and whisked away
in the green twilight.
As the road uncurled before her she
seemed to see those two figures. the
slender. pretty girl and David. walk
ing together.
Suppose she went back and mef them
the girl might he some one fn tho
village whom David had met. q" she
might b" n cousin.
David had no cousins.
She wondered what they would do
take Steve Brogan's taxicab perhaps.
but they certainly would not have the
rfirontery to come to the Woodlands
Having come to this conclusion, Jane
glanced behind her and saw them walk
ing along the path behind her. The girl
wore gray silk stockings and gray suede
slippers.
The slippers must have been very
uncomfortable to walk in. Jane thought
of that as the car slipped along the
pleasant road. Then she turned the
corner that led homo. AS she turned
the corner she glanced over hT shoulder
and saw David putting the girl into
a tnxicab. He jumped in beside Ecr
and they rode rapidly away in tn" OPP
rositr direction.
Jane did not cat much dinner that
night: she parried the explanations Of
her family aud listened for the telephone
bell. David would ring her up. lie
usually did so after one of their quar-
rcs. She rather hoped he would call
her.
1t was 10 o'clock when the telephone
called her.
".Tane is speaking she responded
coolly.
"I must apologize: I came on the
six ten. but did not sr" you, dear
"I was there saw you-but you
were so absorbed" embroidered Jane.
".Ianr Woodland - he hrcathcd
sharply.
"WrIl. you w"r" busilv engaged,
wcr" A"u not
"Ncs. in n way. Ny grandmother
came down with N" and was going
to ask YOU to drop her off at my Aunt
Agatha's. Didn't YOU see? So we
walked along the road until a taxicab
picked us up
Your grandmother" remarked Jane
incredulously. "Your grandmother ="
she added in scornful disbelief.
eyes. Now, Jane. that ] have ex-
paned this, you can SEQ your mistake
cant youT'
II don't know what you mean about
my mistake. Mr.. Perry she said in
her coolest tone.
"IIns i, reached tho Mr.. Perry
>ta-":' hr asked furi"nsy. "What is
lh" next move:
''For me to return your ring. which
| shall do in the morning. said Jane
with her eyes full of tears. which of
course David could not see.
VERY WE'LL" he answered and rang
off.
The next day being Sunday, Jane
went TO church and had the pleasure
of seeing David sitting in his Great
aunt Agatha's pew with the strange
girl beside him. Jane saw that David
was very attentive to the slim young
thing in black and grim despair
seized her.
She wondered ie !: occurred to David
that they --- David and Jane 80 had
planned 10 be married in this very
church in September. Why, they had
decided upon the floral decorations. the
ushers. tho guests. tho music-cvery
thing had been carefully thought out
What happy times they had had. too.
Slowly the congregation dispersed
In the porch the Woodlands fingered to
greet their friends. Jane would have
hurried on to avoid David, but her
mother plucked her back.
Jane. my dear. want to introduce
you to Mrs. Churchill, David's grand.
mother. Susan, this Is my youngest
daughter murmured Mrs. Woodla and
with justifable pride.
Delighted, my dear. David has
told me about you. Where is the boy?