Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-09-29

Say, young fe1ler," called he, "what
sort Of place Is 1t out there on the
turnpike? Can you get a decent meal,
heyT
Thorold. ITO tell you the truth,
didn't know there was decent place
to eat anywhere around here. Motorists
usually 90 on to Burton"
| The driver owner consulted the guide
book that had been thrust at him by
one Of the occupants Of the tonneau.
white house at first turn to right
on Romil!y, turnpike after leaving
Brompton," he read slowly. 49,
why. that would be the Romilly
house. Are you sure that is what the
book says"
"Those are the words"
That's surprising" murmured
Thorold. 1T can't be right"
"Drivs on" came . voice from tAs
tonneau. II guess ths young feflsr
hasn't woke up yet. Look the place
over and Il Il looks o. x, ven h5."'
And the man at the wheel obsysd,
leaving Bob Thorold still murmurtnS
that something must b wrong some.
where.
Bob Thorold. who kept up bis an.
cestral home in Brompton and spent
his vacations there, walked on and
presently encountered Mr.. jenkins,
postmaster Of Brompton.
Funny thing" said Bob; IT met
some people who spoke about having
meals at n white house at the first
turn to the right on Romilly turnpike
nfter leaving Brompton. That's the
Romillys, isn't it?'
"Cartain sure" quoth the postmas-
ter. ,"sartain sure, you've heard how
it's, han't your
"They haven't sold the place, have
they?" inquired Bob. II thought Miss
Susan had vowed never to leave the
old place; she isn't dead, is she?"
Dead nothing. The how and the
wherefore is, 80 folks say, that they've
lost their money--every burned cent OF
it, and Miss Jane had to open up the
place as kind Of roadhouse for motor.
lists. Ought to make a good thing out
Of it, seems to me, being as there's no
autos are as thick as spatter along
the turnpike. It's kinder too bad,
though, losing all their pile. expect
it was fool Investment. I'll tell you,
Mr.. Robert Thorold. what them ladies
need and needed long time ago was
a good business man in the family, eh?'
Bob Thorold was annoyed at the post
masters rather facetious left-handed
allusion to the affair, now ten years
past, between Jane Romilly and him.
self. but greater than his annoyance
Mt this was his concern over the loss
Of the Romilly fortune that had made
it necessary for Jane Romilly, proud
daughter of the always proud Romillys,
to turn her house into roadhouse
and to spend her strength supervising
meals for motorists--rude, uncouth,
parvcnus, thought Bob Thorold, like
the one he had just encountered.
Bob Thorold spent the afternoon In
a long, slow rambIe through the woods
around Brompton. lie was not much
given to solitary ramblings and when
he did indulge in one 1t was when he
had much thinking to do. Toward the
close Of the afternoon he turned his
steps toward the Romilly turnpike. down
the first turn to the right and up the
pathway that led to the imposing
white house built by the Romillys four
generations ago. The door stood open
and the screen was unlocked. Withln
he could see that small tables had been
arranged in the front and back draw.
these five were occupied--6ve cars were
parked in the spacious driveway that
circled around the house.
Bob entered and took his seat at a
small table. Presently white clad
waitress approached him with a list
Of dishes offered for that days dinner.
Bob took 1t with queer thrill-it
was Enthusiastically written by Jane
Romilly. The solitary meal followed,
but Jane Romilly did not appear. After
it was over Bob offered his card to the
maid, and asked her to take 1t to Miss
Romilly. He wished to see her.
The answer was that Miss Romilly
would see him in the old dining room
across the hall. She never appeared
before the regular diners, said the maid,
md her aunt remained in her room.
This, thought Bob, was. quite in keep
ling with the proud spirit'of the Romillys
even in the hour Of their misfortune.
Jnne was alone in the old dining
room. md she rose from her desk at
one side Of the room and came swiftly
to him with outstretched hand.
GLOW amazingly we'll you are look =
ing" Bob could not refrain from say
ing. .,,,,
"Yes," laughed Jane. ''1he work
seems to agree with me, doesn't it"'
But why didn't you tell me? might
have helped you. You know j once got
Won TO promise that'if you ever needed
help you'd forget old prejudices and
send for me-
ooh, but it was too late by the time
T found out" said Jane quite cheer
fully. "The harm was done and the
lonly thing I could do was to face the
misic. Besides, It's been n wonderful
experience. Aunt is very feeble, now.
She keeps to her room with her at
lfcndant and really doesn't know. And
the work and the people keep me from
loneliness. ! really don't know how 1t
will all end
Rob Thorold shuddcred. 1t was out.
roreous to think of Jane Romilly spend
inc the wears Of her life feeding hungry
Ho snt beside her In the dusk and
while she talked cheerfully OF the
weather and garden crops, Bob sat with
Don't talk about such things he
hurst out. "Jane, Jane--if this had
nnly come sooner. l was in love with
yo,i-I always have been, but ! never
|dored to ask you, becnuse--well, be-
ranse I did not think that poor boy
ike me had any right to ask Jane
Romilly to marry him, / was afraid OF
YOUR money and your pride. l know
you are still proud
mo. Bob, confess the Rom!lly
pride is slipping away. I've learned Il
iot in ten years, and this little busi-
mss mas venture. which really has been
absurdly profitable, has taught me that
neople are pretty much the same where