Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-14
CHAPTER Nj

WHO'S WHO IN THE STORY

the friends of his earlier days. Stcphei
Da-trey. filled with queer sense o
impending disaster. was climbing th'
steps to Nora's fiat. On the last land.
! ing hc fingered for II moment ant
clcnchrd his fingers.
/ Il am n coward he reflected sadly
II have asked for this and it has
come
He stood for moment perfectly
still. with half.closcd eyes. seeking fol
SclfControl very much in the fashion
Of man who says n prayer TO himself
Then he climbed tho last few stairs
rang the bell and held out both his
hands to Nora. who answered 1t her
self.
Commend my runctuality," he be.
why call attention to the one and
only masculine virtue" she replied
LET me take your ccat.'
lie Strengthened his tie in front Of
the Looking glass and turned to lool, mt
Ter with something like wonder In his
eyes.
Dear hostess" he exclaimed, "what
has come TO you:'
AN epoch of vanity" she declared
turning slowly around that he might
appreciate better the clincing folds of
her new black gown. Don't dare to
say that YOU don't lik" it. for heaven
only knows what II cost mo-
1T isn't only your sown-it's your
hair"
"Coiffurcd, she contided. "by an art
list. Not an ordinary hairdrcsscr at all.
IL" only works for few of our ar
istOcracy and one or two leading ladies
on the stage. | pulled it half down and
built II up again, but it's an improve
mcnt. isn't IT,"
1T suits you." he admitted. "But
but your color 80
Natural absolutely natural" she
insisted "You can wet your finger
and try If you Ike. It's excitement.
Ii you look into IN" depths of my won :
derful oy"S-I have got wonderful eyes,
haven't T."
"Marvelous."
"You will see that am suffering
from suppressed excitement. Tonight
is quite an epoch. To tell you the truth,
| am rather nervous about it,"
"lS he here?'
you shall see him presently" she
promised. Come along"
Where is Susan" he asked. as he
followed her.
Gone out. So has my maii I
i!uNl Il lHH'N lt TURN every one plSe out
Of the fiat. Your only hot course will
! anxious to impress - him - with my
culinary skill. | hope you will like
your dinner, but it will be rather a
picnic"
Dartrey glanced back nt the hall
stand. There was no hat or coat there
except his own. He followed Nora into
the little study, which was separated
only by n curtain from the dining
room.
Il think your idea is excellent" he
pronounced. And YOU will forgive
me-" he added, producing the parceI
which he had been carrying under his
arm. SEQ what | have brought to
drink your health and his, even if he
I does not know yer III" good fortune ip
store for him.
He set down n bottle of champagne
upon the table, She laughed softly.
You dear man" she exclaimed.
"FanCy Your thinking of it | thought
you scarcely ever touched winc:"
II am not crank" he replied.
Sometimes my guests have told me
that ! have quit" n reasonably good
cellar for man who takes SO little
himself, Tonight am going to drink
n glass Of champagne"
"Pummcry :" She exclaimed. II hope
you II be able TO open it,"
That shall be my task" he promised
'NOu needn't worry about nippers.
have some in NV pocket. And by the
by, he added, glancing at tn" clock
"wh"rr is your other guest? 1t is ten
minutes past eight, and can hear your
chatting dish si22ling."
Sh" drew back tn" curtain and took
1t IL l.. 1,.s 1 e.,
ia L'ntol -, +, ~ Iau,;Iicrunnt and
,to, LanI. -, ~ L.r 81
III" y L'' Lo. I;,n,,,i,,ol vor,"
Si'. ,,,,iI.I ,r ~, hfn,
III, Ta. .,,,,,ni,',nl ma morv
,,on, ,;,'". " ~. ynfI .)rmt nn, ,n.
,'iat, ''''
- d,,,,, .urd.r.,,rd q" be foItarcd
ni ,Ij,i, ,',,, 40 - I,o om.n.roi
II. tnni; tLo chnir onuositc tn hers
TLn rhofng .,IIeh wns hntwcen them
IT,, vnu nIinI ,yi,h a rnrious sense nj
rnr,,,Iity /, wu. a Iittln scene. This.
nnt ~ n story nr n ulny. II didn',
! "",noIiv roncnrn him. r. wasn't Enra
! who so. within n fcw feet Of him
hcnIinp down over the chatting dish anC
stirring lis contents vigorously.
COZ course" she said, Il am pcr-
frrtly we'll aware that this Is an anti
rIin,ny. nm perfcr;ly we'll aware. too,
, that Won viii have II most uncomfprt .
MIL. dinner, YOu won't know what 20
say 10 me and you'll be diving all the
/ tlln. To- look in YOUR calendar and see
if this is lean yrar. But even we work
/ inp women sometimes" d" she went on,
| smiling brayrIy nm nt him. "hav,
whims, had "A whim. stephen. to let