Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-30
The Heart Of Lois Donblgh

- have been thinking. She herself had
Sssn educated Rs Rusterely as Audrey.
~ she knew exactly in what light
iAis Denbigh must appear to the un-
s~kisticated eyes of her daughter. For
! moment she contemplated telling
i.6rey what she knew of LOis---that
=, acouaintanceship with Harkness was
sfeiy 10 be something on the lines of
friendship between two sporting men
Sat she checked the impulse. Why
,asrid sheY This little incident might
= the beginning of the end 70 far
e Harkness and Audrey were con-
s.sed, She would be more than
tsoi il she interfered. even though
audrey must undoubtedly suffer IL she
rffained from doing 80.
sbe shrugged her shoulders carclessly
u Audrey spoke.
"Oh! men who knock about. like
Nafkness, are sure to meet one or two
drh Of that description. There will be
isthins in it,: And now let us look
It the frocks."
Her lightness of tone served her better
tan she knew. Audrey read an at
ieupt to change the subject because II
M distasteful; an effort to minimize
Wat her mother regarded as a serious
hsppenins. She choked back tend
ucy to cry.
4 don't think I want to look at
them now, mamma. l want you to
nh me home"
And though Audrey's voice was preg.
la,t with misery, Constance knew some
li1ht tightening of the load which
seemed to rest On her own heart.
Lois Denbigh and Harkness finished
their lunch, and during its consumption
their talk was very light, mainly con-
sisting Of "reminiscences, accounts of
what had happened to mutual friends
siace they last met, and Lois diff
eulhes in regard to her "show."
"You will have liqueur with your
eofee?" asked Harkness, as the plates
we're removed.
mo. Jimmy, I'm of drink. Strict
pussyfoot. and all the rest of it. But
Is it's you, III risk a Grand Mariner.
Have you got any nice Turkish ciga =
rettes! Don't offer me one of those
virsinian abominstions you carry round
for personal consumption. because !
still possess some remnants Of taste.
''Youre a dreadful expense, Lois.
smiled Harkness.
II should have thought much more
II you If you had said was rather
DEAR" countered Lois.
The coffee and liqueurs were brought.
and, having lighted her cigarette, Lois
leaned forward. Her face was very
Derious.
Jimmy. Something's happened to
you since saw you last
HARNESS eyed her, his cup poised
halfway IA. to his lips. II don't get
"Oh, but you do! You're the same
IN way, and vet you're different.
I've got it, You're more sober and
serious. You're not in love, l sup
posei"
1t startled Horkness. He had always
regarded Lois as a child, a creature
N whims. with little depth. but a great
and wonderful light -heartedness - a
!e7able child. but no more than child.
He had never expected her to read him.
z, she evidently had read him. in the
little time he had been with her.
why do you ask IL I'm in love?'
he asked. putting down his cup.
'Because---' She hesitated. "Oh.
Just because. that's all"
"A woman's reason smiled Hark- :
ness, striving &c appear at ease. "And
were in love?''
A'u uiVs IsolN Sdiu II WIN t W.
tain fnality. in which there was Il low
note of pain which entirely escaped
Harkness. He could never imagine Lois
Denhigh as a victim Of the pangs OF
love.
u will tell you a secret, Lois.
Harkness leaned over and spoke very
Nset and pure as it is possible for
Z woman to be, And l love her.
have examined my love. and find that
1t is worthy of her. There is nothing
vile about 1t. But though my love
Is all right, I know ] myself am not
Mt to touch the hem of her skirt
Lois had bent her head. so that the
b!im of her hat hid her face from hls
view. He could see her white throu,
neaving quickly. He did not trouble
read the meaning of the signs. Lois
spoke yerv softly. Her voice was U
little strained.
Does she love you. Jim?'
God help me, | believe she does.
Are you not sure?"
=, She has kissed me. and she is no,
NE kind of girl whose kisses are cheap
The cigarette between Lois fingers
0umpled, broke. and fell to the floor
A strange little laugh came from
Hardness as If in bitter self judgment
Lois found courage to look at hin
again. "But---tell me all about--her. :
Harkness slipped his coffee. IL au
wondering II I am cad in going OF
with it. She knows nothing of me, VOL
zee. ! feel ! ought to give her up"
why! You are good enough fo
most women. IL she so perfect. then =
darkness did not note the faint
feminine sneer.
She is--rea. good. Lois----''
l., Lois sat back. Her heart was beat
ing until it panied her. "Well-giv
aer up, Jimmy. Perhaps you will hn
somebody else--as good"
Harkness shook his head. II shoul
never never do that" he said quietly
Listen, Lois. All nv life ! hav
nughed at love. You know how mel
40 laugh. But now I've realized tha
the strongest thing in all tn
World, Stronger than hate. strOnge
man fear. And it never dies. al
ure OF it. | know that If ! gave u
audrey audrey could never look at anothe
us Audrey her name?"
les: Perhaps you hardly realiz
now l feel. Lois. You have never bee
:" lGve; To YOU the whole world
LOIS lips twitched. She laughe
9. roor old Jimmy. Got 1t at last.
Sne mad never acted more wonderful
,Snnd ISen.nd the footliEhts than she did q
,"s. moment. "And now drink you
hoaee ana lets get out of here, Nv
m "au u rehearsal this morning. and
h, sh. get rest this afternoon or
n pay rottenly tonight"
waS Ih'ut, sue, ltarkness called a taxi an
s,on.ont a9ont to get into it when l.oi
ayssIf inim. IN get on home b