Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-30


come to him how beautiful abe resliv
Was. There was something in her ewes
which he realized he had never seen
there before; but he could not name Il.
May l take you to supper after the
show tonisht?" he asked.
No The refusal was almost
ialtered. Not tonight, Jimmy. L
haven't been up to much the last
Few days. shall 70 straight home.
Some other time.
The taxi drove away, and AZ It aid
out into the Strand the indifference fell
from Lois Denbish like a cloak. Her
baby face looked suddenly forlorn,
snd IN her eyes was a yearning which
have read. ''He kissed her !" That
her 20 A''S'u
Constance Brent went to Lori Con.
nington's house In Mount street az n
woman going to the ordeal of her life.
AS she had surmised, she dined alone
with ConninGton In the great oak pan.
eied dining. room she remembered so
well. On that night IL seemed peopled
with eibing memories. resonant with
the mockery of wasted days. More
than once she, looked round her fur
lively, as though the memories were
tangible things which she might see.
1t was big room, and it's only illu.
mination was from the candelabra
which stood on the polished surface of
the dining table. The dark walls we're
shadowy and indistinct and the corners
places Of mystery. The table. with its
silver and glass and cutlery. was an
oasis Of brilliance in the chambers
desert OF gloom; and the blood-red
roses, which splashed over the edge
OF a great bowl in the centre Of the
table. a startling patch Of color which
served rather to accentuate than re.
lieve the somber oppressiveness Of It
all.
On the wall. over Connington's head.
hung a portrait Of a long dead ancestor
OF the house. and 1t seemed TO Con-
stance that the painted face watched
her accusinsly.
Connington talked easily Of many
things, mostly Of his travels, and the
word pictures he drew Of the things
lie had seen would have interested Con
stance at any other time but this.
But now she was frightened. The
silent footed servants, the durk, gloomy
room, and the threat which she felt in
the atmosphere racked her nerves.
When at last the meal was finished she
almost sighed with relief. With the
serving Of the coffee Connington told
| the servants TO 60, and they were left
alone.
Constance Brent steadied her jumping
nerves, and looked across the lighted
table straight into his eyes.
Lord Connisnton Dimes
As Constance Brent looked across the
dining table at Lord Connington she
realized that with the going of the
servants a change had come over him.
From the suave, facile -tongued host,
bent only on entertaining his guest, he
had altered to keen. hard man of
affairs. gathering his words for con .
sultatiOn. or even a quarrel, over some
knotty point Of business.
He met her stare steadily, and held
up a cigar.
49, You 1s%..s., Won't mind if 2 smoke with
II should like it. If you have 4
Connington became apologetic. 81
am 80 sorry I forgot He walked
over to the sideboard, and came back
with a silver box Of assorted cigarettes
Constance selected one, and he lit q
match for hec.
1t all seemed unreal. she thought. anG
at the same time felt great inclina
ton to laugh. This observance Of thu
formalities, this haste to crafty hel
desire for smoke, trivial though il
was, emphasized to her the threat OF
what was to come.
COnnington went round to his chail
and sat down. He spoke slowly, ant
bis voice was very hard.
II want to talk about Audrey
"Yes." Constance found her jumping
heart was steadying, her blood cooling
She felt great poise of mentality
and an astonishing courage. The
years Of her experience in the world
were serving her well.
II am an old man." COnningtoI
spoke as one who has prepared his
statement beforehand. and has given
consideration to every word. Nou
may not agree with me IN this. but
can assure YOU that age Is not ques-
tion of years alone. feel old. You
understand"
II am afraid I don't" Constance
told herself that she must fence for
time, while she collected her arguments
and sought for some strong move to
counter the demand she knew Coming
IlOH was kOihB " 'hS eSA"eAN Aos
his daughter.
II will explain. feel old, because
7 feel lonely. have my friends, my
sister and my nephew, and yet my life
and my heart are very empty. Oh.
know you are thinking of my work
and asking how my life can possibly
be anything but full. know thai
when I go out people point and say
That is Lord Connington who did sc
and so, and so and sO.' But does
that fill the life of man who thinks
Can the puny blasts of the trumpets OF
fame reach the ears Of man who asks
for nothing but II loving word: Car
they compare with the voice OF Il chile
saying 'Father'i'
lie paused, and Constance sat silent
She had not expected this, she hat
looked for stormy words, anger, AZ
ovcrbearing demand. Connington wen
on.
Men have called Inc great. betray
no egoism when ] say It. Twenty
years ago | should have found every
thing l needed in that fact. But ex'
perience has taught me that there ur'
only three things which matter In life
and they are honor. truth and love
. And love il the greatest OF them all
A long while ago. in what now seem
10 me another lifetime. | thought
could smother love with the wings o
ambition. went out and succeede'
beyond all my dreams. | have mad
2 mysplf a power not only in England
] but in the world. can claim tina
on one occasion, at least, my word ha
o,o,,od N orcnt war And yet--' Ill