Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-03-10
CHAPTER xXXVIII

Il can't help wondering" my daugh.
ter began again impulsively. why Mr..
Tempest never married you. il he nd-
nired you no. Didn't you like him!'
Her eyes sought my face with such
keen look that it was oil could do
70 meet their gaze.
Il was married before Mr.. Tempest
was Cd enough to think OF seeking a
Wife" l said. with an effort. "He
was abroad some years. you know"
''Hc told me.
What had he not told her? won
dcred.
was glad when the door opened and
| the men came in. Mora Steward. who
had been playing sentimental waltzes to
herself at the far end OF our drawing
room. swung round on the piano stool
md gigz!ed welcome. Her brother
crossed to Elsa and sat down heavily
beside her. Richard and Francis stood
talking in the center Of the room.
As soon as could I slipped out into
the garden. My face and forehead
burned fcverishly. the evening had been
n terrible strain. I went into the
shadow of the trees. and sat down on
nn iron seat there: the GOODNESS of its
raintcd arms soothed me.
had dreaded Richard = coming. but
| had not imagined It would be 80 hard
as this. Between the pauses OF the
music ! could hear his voice talking to
my husband. :,
The drawing room window was wide
open. Presently. silhouetted against
the light. saw Elsa and young Will
liam Steward come out together into the
garden.
The music started again. and I closed
my eyes to listen. and suddenly be-
came conscious that there was some
one near me-moving toward me across
! the soft grass. started up. my heart
beat choking,y In my throat.
thought 1t was Richard. I don't
know why. for ! might have known that
he would not follow me out there from
my own house: but ] did think 1t
was he and half put OUT my hand
toward him before ! saw that I was
mistaken. It was not Richard at all.
| but my husband.
We stood facing one another through
the dusky night in silence. Then Fran
cis laughed.
1t was not q pleasant laugh. and
the hand I had extended to him. think.
lng--thinking it was that other. fell
! Imply to my side.
''You were not expecting me-: he
said
There was studied insolencc in his
voice. and ! fe't the hot blood fly to my
cheeks.
! | had no excuse TO Offer was
tongue tied.
The piano had started again from the
drawing room away in the distance a
dog barked sharply.
Francis sat down on the scat. and
took my hand to draw me down beside
mice fellow. that friend Of yours" :"
he said deliberately. Man OF the
world. Elsa would not do badly to ac-
cept him---if he asks her
l made no reply; my hands were
clasped in my lap to hide their trem
bling =, .,. ,.. " mr. hus.
band repeated.
He leaned back. and blew pun oil
smoke from his cigar. ;.
, Zone would almost think. my dear.
, he said in that particularly anable volcc
, which he always uses when he Is reel
ing unusually nasty. THAT you were
| little-jealous.'
| answered:
"Of Elisa? Perhaps ! am-of her
, youth and the prospect OF happiness
which l never had.
"'That Is not what | meant he
told m" smoothly.
, "No?'' I rose to my feet, but he
, caught my hand and prevented me from
walking away. 1T Is never easy Ia
understand what you do mean added
Ills fingers tightcned on mine. and
, rnye a little cry Of pain: Francis drag
: ged me down beside him.,
! "Do you think I'm such fool tha'
can't see what's going on under nv ~
al