Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-03-30
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
e. MARY O'BRiEN
By Liiiiace Montgomery Mitchell

TOHN BAINBRIDGE was gulping the
- last drop of coffee Mt the breakfast
table with one eye on his watch, which
was propped up before him. and one eye
on the boarder who sat across the
table. lie did not want to be late
again. for old Manson was getting
grouchy of late. When the waitress
came in and said that Mr.. Manson was
on the telephone and wished to speak
to Mr.. Bainhridgc. John fairly gaspcd.
There are half a dozen agents out
there right on the ground TO show this
fellow the place.. he heard Manson
saying, Nevertheless. l think that we
should be represented. III leave the
cur at the corner and go downtown
the rest Of the way on the IL. You
skip out there and hang around. II
we could make the sale it would mean
Il fat commission for you, cambridge.
Go to it. Get it 80
cambridge was one of the younger
statesmen in the realty corporation and
as yet somewhat unvcrsed in sales talk.
As he hurried toward the corner to
get into the sedan which was waiting
there. he shifted Mt the air of the
early morning and thought what won
deriul day it would be in the country
where he was going. lie wished that
ne KNEW SpUP tUHIullilg eill W tuNt
with him. somebody who loved the smell
OF clean. fresh country air He rapidly
thought over the list Of girls he knew.
II was n short list and they all lived
fairly near.
He stopped before the Adams house
and Floisc herself answered the door
She blushcd scarlet when she saw him
and asked him to step inside. II got
up late" she began apologizing. and
| haven't had chance yet To-
"Oh. we'll. never mind, - John Balm
bridge cut In: II had to drive out to
the country and | thought----'' he
eyed her soied frock and her unlaced
boots diStastcfully.
If you'd phoned,' she began. but
now II would take me a lfhour-----'
Better luck next time, he said as
he hurried off. lie gave short whistle
as he showed IN the clutch. But she
surely is charming in the evening"
At Anna Compton : the maid an
swcred the door. saucy maid. who
did not trouble to go upstairs. but who
called up that n gentleman wanted to
sec Miss Anna He heard Annas
voice. now more on the Qucrulous order
than the lifting, laughter owing voice
that he knew.
That doorbcll wnkcncd mo, Send
him away. He's probably a man with
coupons from some photograph studio
or somebody wanting something's
1t was an almost dazed young John
Blinbridge who again stepped into the
sedan belonging TO the Acme Realty
Corporation. The time was fecting
and he must start out for the long
drive that was ahead of him. lie could
not risk being late. and yet it seemed
n pity to take such n good drive alone
when some one else might as well en-
Joy it. TOO. BESIDES. he would like
Tho traffic was getting heavy
now and so he took a short -cut up II
side street. He saw few familiar
houses and remembered. Mary O'Bricn
lived along here in one Of these houses
He saw the very house now and un-
decidedly drew up at the big white stone
in front that pointed out the fact that
they had once had enough carriage
company to use block
Here again the girl Of the house an
swered the door-Mary OBrien her
self. Her hair was smooth and pref
tily dressed and her shoes were we'll
polished. strapped ones that were fas.
tened properly. Her apron, though.
was Il mass ot blue and yellow streaks.
Hello. Jackie 80 she greeted with
wide smile. Thought you never were
going TO come around any more. Come
on in
Il can't" he tcmporized. II stopped
just for minute. You soc, I'm going
TO take 4 long drive out into the coun-
try to try TO sell wealthy commercial
artist a gentIeman's country place and
| had room in the car and thought
maybe you'd like to drive along"
Her eyes danced. I'D love It ~ she
exclaimed enthusiastically.
But he went on evenly. II
thought maybe you d be dressed enough
to Go-l'vc got to get there at once.
But Mary was already tugging at the
apron that covered her from neck to
hem. THE kitchen needed painting
and | thought that Mary O'Brien. house
artist. might rs we'll do the job. But
I'm all dressed. Just let me get
hat and cover the paint jar so It won't
dry up.
She now had the apron off and
neat dark blue frock was revealed.
Yes. Jack Bainhridge. Don't know.
| suppose in time for lunch, h" heard
her telling her mother. 'All rightly
And all the way out 10 the town
where the wealthy commercial artist
hotel. Mary OBrien told him Of all
that had happened since she had last
seen him. and John Bainbridge found
himself laughing as he had not laughed
Tor months. Some way his mouth had
cultivated a smile. but the laugh was.
or had been, gone. She sat In the
back of the car while he drove the
prospect about, and when the hous"
was shown Mary made several sugges-
rions as to what might be accomplished
here and there with little paint.
1t was Il surprised John Bainbridge
who heard the commercial artist sug-
g"Sr check 10 bind the bargain until
hi> attorneys could look up ia" title
"Nou Il have to take half the money.
Bainbridge told Mary as they drove
home after luncheon.
She stared. then laughed and shook
her head.
But never would have sold him
alone" cxpostu nted John. He liked
the way you told him to fix M that
solarium and the little room oil the
study. He said | had Il fin" little
wife" he ended wistfully. MARY. why
II ro.d mother I'd b" Aom" for
unch," said Mary, her eyes straight
ahrnd and her checks very pink.
And the commission is enough on
that one piece alone to get our furni-
tIrc." said John Bainbridg" his eyes
on the narrow strip Of road ahead.
Wasn't it lucky, Mary. mat you were
dressed and readyt' And he smiled as
he thought of T. Disc and Anna.
WITHDRAWS BRUNEN CAVEAT
Sister Of Murdered Man Apparently