Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-09-02
'SBy Katharine
NeULin Burt
Mary or
Heloise?
Which
Should Win
Unusual Hero?

Heloise looked upon a disillusioned
conqueror.
At Qs command, "Quiet, lady.
quiet!' Miss Selda had faltered away
from her telephone and, moving back
TO- her chair, had dropped into il nnd
relaxed all her trembling muscles
Since she had overheard, by n mere
chance. Ferdy's and Lelo's destination.
she had suffered indcscribnble torments
OF memory and of alarm There was
long battle with her pride which set
her calmly at the lonely dinner. table
ana took her as calmly to an apparent
teadlhs OF the newspapers, which kept
her chained to the rigidity of her usual
composure until midnight. Then a,ite
suddenly. Miss Selda's self control
snapped. Thirty nine years ago at
roiiy Inn Tonight at Folly Inn
lier Heloise! She went to her tele-
phone and began a patient searching
through the night for @. BY the time
MS voice came, hers was almost be-.
yond her control. Not until she had his
reinsurance did she understand What
tne tt hours of suspense had done to her.
She ret bone broken and nerve
stretched. She sat and let old age coil
l,ound her Ike a snake. Let Lelo be
old comfortably ''' 'e
i. mere was no ringing at the front
u, uuEor, Wnlch stood open, but some one
plunaered heavily through It in n Hind
bat-like haste and pushed onen tho
drawing room door upon her n,;,,.o'. ne
She turned her head and saw William
ing fast. 'rea'n-
Selda he whispered. coming over
70 her ana wiping sweat from his face
repeatedly. first with one hand, tbsn
with with the other, Il hold you responsible
She had pulled herself up straight
IN her deep chair and was clutchinr
,.,. "YSu s.9 hold me responsible - for
They're After Me-" He Said
Ihey're after me. You've got to
Her relief was so great-she Thought
ne mad come with some terrible tidings
or her niece-that she laughed. "Who
are after you?'
Those dogs from the Mills. sicked
on me by that Western devil of yours.
why didn't you do something? You
could have fired the lot I tell you,
they re after me. I got warning
from Kid I've given pennies to- came
on run. They're coming. they're
on ..!.h their way'-he ,guivered all over
Coming here?"
No. to my house. But they'll tract;
me. He will. He'll drag me out-the
bloodhound He's been at my heels
since the first night. He'll get me-.
mo, William, he's not with them.
| know where he is tonight. BE quiet,
please. Sit down. You've been badly
frightened. But I'm sure it was a false
alarm. They won't come here for you
her teeth slid against each other. then
set-'and If they do come, can manage
| them. They won't dare search nv
house for YOU. should hope. Sit
down and keep quiet. I say. don't
feel in the humor for scene. III
get you some whisky"
After he had drunk the whisky. he
collapsed and. lying along the lounge.
he painted like dusty dog. She
moved about. ghostly and restless.
listening to the vague and distant noises
of the night. They heard the unbroken
river murmur. the occasional crescendo
| and dimnuendo of a passing train. at
last the noisy humming of rapidly
driven car.
"What's that" he cried. coming up
to sitting position and covering
against the cushions, clutchns at them
with his hands. Its coming in here,
l tell you. :"
Yes" she said. Keep still. It's
Heloise. She has been out to a party
Then as there came faint murmur Of
calm and its lines smoothnd themselves
out. She came over to Sales. looked
down at him and smiled at once scorn-
fully and indi(ferent'y. why don't
YOU go upstairs and get to bed? You
are quite safe. :.
out. "Well. perhaps | am. Could 1t
have been false alarm? The little
rascal seemed scared himself. All his
freckles stood out. he was so pale. Well
--yes-yes," he murmured reinsurance
to himself as though his spirit were
scared child. IL might as we'll go up
and get some sleep. But his way
to the door he turned and shook a
for NV todiy safety. Sclda.
She bent her head. smiling the Sir
sydney smile. IL accept the responsl-
bility, Willam--it has been the absurd
and undignifed punishment for MY
mistake. Go upstairs. Physically you
are safe enough.
sales Numbered out into the hall and
| found himself face to face with -. Inc
Young man bowed and smiled.
"Ill run you home. doc he SAID
pleasantly.
Miss Selda had shrunk back from that
meeting. had closed the door upon II;
She could not face q. whom IN sales
presence, she had insulted and dis
missed, and who had responded to her
call for help. , c,,oa
gasped out. ~ uon,. yo,.re com.
inc back with me. No use pulling back
on the rope, doc. I was on my way to
Won, The boys will get you If you
don't nut your confidence in me.
was going TO get round to you earlier
this evening, but I've been delayed.
IT'S about . o'clock, isn't it? We have
three quarters of an hour, then, IT
were u,lick." He stepped close to
sales. Get out, you big bully, he
said terribly. "and step into the Ford,
or I'll thrash you into a bigger Jelly
than your own lazinesS has made.
Sales lifted up his voice to bleat for
his patroness, but his throat smut undrr
Q's grasp. He was backed slowly
along the hall. across the veranda, and
heaved up, still by the neck INTO the
waiting Ford & climbed to the wheel
and they were off instantly at terri
| flying speed.
II cant keep the crtter going unless
I give him REIN" q explained equally.
Don't you shake yourself TO pieces
| now, doe. Let the critter do the shak.
| IL, Gov won I've took YOUR case into