Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-16
A MANS WAY
wandered over him vaguely: then she
laughed feebly and tried to raise her
By RUBY M. AYRES
lushor Of 1.-THE Fortune Hsntsr "A Bachslor Hasband
tCopy~tshs. Sy WHOLE, Newspaper syrdicats)

laughed lay feebly and tried to raise her.
ITS ali right! fic still! You
faintedv' But she paid no attention
to him. She sat with her hands clasped
In her lap, look Of such utter misery
on her face that he was struck to the
"Well?" she said shakily. "well?
What are you going to do with. me"
The childishncss Of the question hurt
him. Hs would rather she had raved
II suppose" she said. II suppose
you won't let me 70 home?'
He broke out agitatedly. '-->.
II cant. Molly; how can /? Think
what people would Say! Do you want
them all talking down at Little Help
ton? I'll make everything as easy for
you rs ] can. You shall do just what
you like. Wo'll travel. You shall do
anything you wish. I'm a rich man.
You can have what money you want
if-you'll try to forgive me?" ,,.
He. was surprised at his anxiety for
her forgiveness. He knew that until
he had won It he would never lose this
sense Of shame and self contempt. He
felt as II he had brutally ill-treated
She shook her head.
II don't want to 60 abroad. I don't
care where we 90. If you think we
had better stay here. don't mind
She spread her hands with gesture
Of helplessness. Anyway" she said,
I'm glad I know!" Her voice broke.
but she controlled It instantly. She
looked up at. him. and the ghost Of n
smile curved her lips. "IIow you must
have hated It all - she said. "Being
engaged to me-and---today!'
He broke out In vehement denial.
cts not fair to say that It's not
true. I am proud and pleased that you
should should think enough Of Inc to
wish to marry me-"
"But-but you don't love me at all?'
she added for him painfully. as he
stopped.
He tried to say that he did. and to
make her believe it; but he knew that
his voice rang insincere. lie knew that
she did not believe him-that she never
would believe him again.
There was tragic silence. Then
Molly laughed; the saddest little laugh
imaginable.
"Well." she said, "it's "A good thing
you rich enough to be able to keep
away from me when you want to. Why
why, we needn't cven---even live In
the same house unless We like"
.S nusnea. ,. w.,
lou are trying 70 hurt me. rou
are DONG gu you can TO make me Zee,
wnat cad I've brsn. MoRy: II you q
try 10 meeG me nan wa! we've Deen
E1od iriends--vo. t9id me once you u
IKE me ior 1rlend. Can we start
IRON. from ,ha1 anu nuke soihet"ihS VI ou'
yves!
Sne snook her head; ~, .., 4.
NO, she sala. N1' l. m aataM =
- can do that. Nli her temdercst
hopes ana dreams were Gown III the
dist. ana out OF their runs tnls man nun
Wnom Sne iovedw.now wen she never
knew W now--was ,'aImly ASKING ncr
10 Turn ner romance 1iio inio-I1rlcnush'pi ,1n,
r, Anu dowh in ii'uS Heiptom H.ct .lc.
rerhald iay deaa me oarrier that
.au kept oohn IRON, .he Tgi!iah ':tal w
ioVe9 was no longer therc. Lihth was
tree! u was 'onn nov Who .Was tleu'
Sne could not pear u. a Wild iGng'
.mg 70 get away; 10 De n,ohe, selhed nSr'
.i, Shs iG,s as II sue Mou.u enIs' , ou. soD
Dihg II sne staEed another moment
She turned biindly to the door. :.
naraem iolioWed' re preyEhteh ner
rom turning the hahdic. Tic oegah
p'eaGins p.sIs WIN f:; ncr. , r,,u :: u
iou nuet t9rKNe nv ms ~ .ut