Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-05-22

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her aunt; and the tAunt about Dolly
had hurt her more than anything.
Dolly, a lady to her fngertips, when
she had deliberately stolen half OF all
Elizabeth had In the world
~ will not stay; I will not" she
told herself. franticAlly.
She was too upset to cry. She
paced up and down her room for
hours, unable to think coherently.
Finally che fell asleep, dressed a.
she was. lying huddled up on the bed
She awoke with n splitting headache
and sense Of dreary depression, to
find that che had oversight and that
1t was half past o.
In panic she tidied her hair,
changed her frock and hurried down.
stairs.
Breakfast was cleared away "by
Mrs. Mason's orders" so the maid told
her In a scared whisper.
Elizabeth flushed.
rs my aunt down then. already?"
she asked. AS a rule Mrs. Mason sci.
dom put in an appearance until lunch
time.
.'she was down very early for her,
half.past 81 80 the maid answered,
with little siggle.
and began to pack her clothes.
IL Will not stay; l will not" she
told herself again and again.
She. had almost finished when she
heard her aunt's voice on the stairs.
Elizabeth closed her half filled trunk
and hurriedly restored the room to
order: then she stood waiting, her
heart beating fast.
Mrs. Mason came to the door.
'Oh, so YOU are up" she said. with
sarcasm.
Elizabeth made no reply. and her
aunt continued: THAT IS as well. sec.
ing that I have made arrangements for
a lady to call here at half.past ~ to
interview YOU. I saw the advertise.
ment in this mornings paper and went
personally to answer it; have told the
lady all about you, and she seems will
Ing to give you n trial. She will take
you immcdiately--today. il necessary
Ellzaoeth moisteped her dry lips.
"As--as WHAT" she asked.
AS mothers hcIp," Mrs. Mason an.
swered firmly. land you are most for.
home so easily. There are four children
dear mites" she added, with swift
remembrance of the quarrelinc and
crying she had heard proceeding from
the nursery when she called at the
house. "Hou will receive twenty five
pounds year-not large salary. ]
admit, for the present day, but you
must remember that you are quite
unframed. Well. what do you say?"
II have nothing to say" said Eliza.
beth: quietly.
You were always ungrateful." Mrs.
Mason said. bitterly. "You will be here
at half-past 12 to interview this lady
her name Is Mrs. Levin" She paused.
did YOU hear what I said?" she de-
mandcd.
Yes" said Elizabeth. II heard what
you said"
Mrs. Mason sailed triumphantly
away, and presently Elizabeth saw her
leave the house with Dolly.
She finished packing ut fever speed
she put on her hat and coat and went
downstairs and out into the road.
She walked about till she found a
disepgaged taxi: then she took It back
to the house.
please wait for me-" she said.
She went up to her room again. and
unassisted dragged her one trunk
down the three flights Of stairs.
One Of the maids hearing the noise,
came to see what was the matter.
Elizabeth looked at her defantly.
II am going away" she said. "You
can tell my aunt shall never come
back again. No, you need not help
me; l can manage.
But the girl insisted upon helping
her.
II don't blame you for not staying.
mioa Manv's tho tirNo v,o' Ia Jn,cu
stairs that it was disgraceful the way
you've. been treated" she said. sym
pathetically.
Elizabeth laughed; she felt utterly
reckless.
1T doesn't matter now she said, |
She got into the taxi and the driver
shut the door.
Where to. MISS" he asked.
Elizabeth hesitated. For the first
time she realized her utter loneliness. |
Where could she go? She had nor q
friend in the world. Then suddenly she
she must always count on him as q |
friend. The color flowed back to her |
pale face.
She would 60 to him. Even IL he sent |
her away. it could not hurt her much |
more than she had been hurt already,
and there seemed nothing else to do:
Where to, miss?' the driver asked |
again. thinking she had not heard.
Elizabeth gave the address of the
Primus Dancing School.
A great deal Of Elizabeth's courage !
had gone by the time she reached the |
big porched door, but with the desper.
ate feeling that one blow more or less
could not matter, she asked the taxi.
toi
There was a gramophone playing in
the big room and at first nobody heard
her knock; then the dark haired girl
whom she had seen before came out.
Elizabeth asked for Royston.
Il will not keep him long she said.
and then with wavering smile she
added: And I won't run away this
time
The girl left her and almost immedi
ately ROystOn came from the big room.
He shut the communicating door be-
hind him and looked at Elizabeth with
eyes.
Your aunt has turned YOU out:"
Elizabeth shook her head: tears swan
to check them.
NO." she said; II ran away"
There was moment OF silence tnen
she went on breathlessly "Shc had got
me some dreadful job as a mothers
help--tO look after four children--and
l couldn't oh! couldn't do 1t; but l
pretended it was all right. Then, as
soon az she went out, packed my
things and came here. My trunk is
downstairs in a taxicab--" She broke
of. only to rush on painfully. "You
said you were my friend know its
dreadful to trouble you like this. but
Il have nowhere else to go--nowhere