Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-12
COMING
.. A sensational serial by that
master Of romance,
E. Phillips Oppenheinu
Begin next Thursday to read
"Nobody's Man"
COMING
"N0bOdy's Man"

"N0bOdy's Man"
Mrs. Mason Ind forbidden her to men.
tion their relationship Now, an.
1t with pride.
Come to tea tomorrow" the letter
said. That meant today Elizabeth
felt little hutter Of excitement.
why not go! She was curious to see
what sort Of reception she would get.
she said nothing about 1t to madame.
And, with quaint feeling Of bravado,
In a tnxicab.
She had taken great pains with her
toilet. and dressed her hair rs fashion.
ably as she could; but when she found
herself once more in the hall, her heart
began to fail her.
Memories came rushing back. bring.
ing renewed pain-memorics Of her first
meeting with Pat Royston and Of
lDolly's condemnation of him; memories
OF his many kndnesses to her and
happy hours which could never come
again.
She felt just as terrified and nervous
as she had done once months before as
she heard her name announced at her
nunts drawing room door and saw Mrs,
Mason rise to meet her.
There was nobody else in the room,
for which she was unspeakably CRATE
ful; but she turned cool cheek to
her aunt's effusive kiss.
Was the whole world a sham, she
asked herself impatiently: and why
should such hypocrisy be countenanced?
a. 80 sweet of you to come, DEAR
Mrs. Mason cooed. She took her niecc's
tor A. L..
couch. Let me look at you. How
you have altered: Elizabeth. you ure
quite pretty"
Elizabeth said. "Oh. am ~" help.
lcssly. The old fear of her aunt was
still with her; she felt unhappy and
Ill at case.
And what are all these wonderful
stories have been hearing of your"
Mrs. Mason went on in her most sugary
voice. 'You must tell me oil about It.
l am so proud Of you, Elizabeth"
Elizabeth flushed: words of bitter re.
minder rose to her lips, but she checked
them.
I'm afraid I haven't anything to
tell she said painfully. "I'm work
ing very hard--that is ALL"
Mrs. Mason tapped her cheek in pay.
full reproof.
You think it's. a secret" she said.
My dear, assure you every one
knows about it--every one. The dear
Duchess! So sweet of her to give YOU
such an opportunity. We shall be
there. OF course. Dolly is SO excited
Elisabeth looked at her aunt help.
iesely. Madame had so impressed upon
her that the whole affair was to be
kept secret that she could not under.
s.rnnd how any knowledge Of it had
leaked out. She had not learned that
the surest method of publicity is to
try to keep a thing a profound secret.
such a fortunate, fortunate little
girl !" Mrs. Mason went on, with a
sort of purr. II have told every one
about you. Elizabeth-how that yo,,
came to me as a shy little mouse from
the country; how that l took you to
your first dance and introduced you to
MIR. Royston, and, after all. out of
common justice to the man. we must
admit that in the first place at least
he was instrumental in placing YOU
whore you are now" -
Elizabeth did not answer. She had
rremonition now OF what was coming,
and Mrs. Mason went on, still pattine
her arm condescendingly. And now,
Elizabeth, / want to talk to you about |
something very private. ! feel that in |
view OF the fact that You are my niece, !
ana that your circumstances are so |
altered. l can do so quite freely.
have never misrepresented my |
nos:tiOn to you--you always knew that |
could not afford to do what I would
wish. either for you or for my own
Dolly. But now. as your future is so
bright. and If. as I hear
I reported, you are to eventually marry
'iI. Farmer-"
She, broke of. as Elizabeth jerked
Ter arm away.
Mrs. Mason laughed nervously.
!, SILLY child Is that a secret. too?
lou have been such clever little girl
Why. he must be almost millionaire,
It's Money-Money Everywhere"
Elizabeth sprang to her feet. cutting
hort the request for money which she
Inew was about to follow.
There was something pitiably tragic
n her flushed cheeks and angry eyes, as
he broke out vehemently:
"Oh, ] think 1t is n hateful-hateful
world! It's only money. money every
where, that people care about"
The color rose to Mrs. Mason's face,
Ter pretense Of friendliness vanished
he had not imagined that Elizabeth
would see through her so quickly.
And you Who are you to talk
lbout money!" she demanded icily.
What have you done. may I ask, but
i've at the expense OF other people ever
ince my poor brother died? lnsolent
'irl! Knowing what know, 1t is
N outrage for you to dare to adopt
his attitude with ihe. First you come
8 a pauper to my house, then you
un away with common dancing mas.
er. and live on his charity until he
Tres OF you and passes you on to the
ext fool. who is taken In by your pre-
ended innocence
She had worked herself into n fine
assion; she had never liked Eliza
eth, but she could have killed her
nth the utmost pleasure for the swift
ess with which she had seen through
his pretense of friendship.
People say that you will be ia.
,ous J" she raved on. Famous! Yes!
or the life you are leading, For the
,anda!ous way In which"
She stopped. rs the door opened and
'olly walked into the room.
She looked from her mother to Eliz-
beth. and swift understanding filled
er eyes. Elizabeth was marble white,
nd Mrs. Mason was scarlet with rage.
nough she tried hard to control herself
s her daughter shut the door and came
)rwNrd.
"How do you do. Elizabeth"
Elizabeth ignored her pro fered hand
ne turned away. ~ am just going"
he said II am sorry came. ] might
oya knou,u tbot ohonld oply ho In |