Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-14
"NObOdy's Man"
BEGINS TOMORROW


1t was the same tune to which she
had first danced with Pat Royston--
years and years ago It seemed. .s..
A Hood Of unforgettable memories
rushed over her as she stood and listen.
eded she shut her eyes and Imagined
herself back IN the little, dimly lit room
where they Had first met; she could see
Royston standing there. cigarette in
hand. looking at her hesitatingly, with
a half smile in bis eyes. She could pic.
ture. herself in her too long, dowdy
frock and ugly shoes. ...'
Perhaps even then he had liked her
just a little ! Suddenly her head went
down on her arms In an abandon OF de.
spair. and from her heart the voiceless
cry went out into the music. haunted
darkness. Where are you? Oh. where
are you?"
TO have to live all her life apart
from him--perhaps never to see him
to her youth and inexpcrience It
seemed an actual. physical impossibility.
Had their positions been reversed she
would never have sent him away. she
thought passionately. What did any.
thing matter II they loved one anoth her
You've got to be happy, you've got
to be successful. and I can't help you TO
be either" lie had said that, and
Elizabeth knew that he meant It; he
was stronger than she, and 1t would
be his will. never hers, that would keep
them apart. ~
"You look as II you have got a dread.
full headache" Farmer said the fol.
lowing morning, when he called for
Elizabeth. His eyes searched her face
with deep concern she was very pale
and there was an air of listlessness
about her that he had never noticed
before; she looked older somehow, he
thought; more "grown up were the
words with which he could best ex.
press the change in her.
She laughed family.
Il didn't sleep we'll, but day in
the country ought to put me quite right /;
it's going to be fine, isn't it?"
She chntted away the whole time in
order to distract his attention from her.
self: she exerted every nerve to appear
quite happy and at her ease.
Farmer was so little to her that she
had almost forgotten his outburst last
night: except for Dolly's sake, II was
a matter Of indifference to her that he
loved her.
A Tragic Meeting
They drove into the heart OF Buck.
inshamshire the country wore its new
dress OF spring green, and as they passed
the woods Elizabeth caught glimpses of
bluebells through the trees.
Couldn't we stop and pick some?
1t seems years ago since picked blue.
bells; they used to grow oil over the
place down at Dilbury."
That was where you lived?"
Yes. used to hate It then. but
sometimes now think perhaps I was
happier there than ever shall be
again.
He stopped the car and opened the
door for her to get out; he followed
her into the woods and looked on
as she wandered to and fro,
off the crisp bluebells and
them into a great sheaf. She
came back to him with her arms full
and little glow OF color in her face.
: "YOu look ten years younger now,"
ne q, declared gladly. "iou look just
They slowed the bluebells away in the
back Of the car.
1--WE look like trippcrs who have had
a day in the country" Neil Farmer
declared as they drove on again and
smiled to himself as he thought how
much he would have hated 1t had any
other woman In the world expected him
to drive back to London laden up with
sheafs of dropping flowers.
There's q place further on where
we can lunch.' he said. 1T won't be
very grand, but I'm not in mood to
be critical. II you're not"
I'm hungry" Elizabeth admitted.
She had found little nosegay Of prim.
roses which she had tucked into her
coat; she kept bending to sniff happily
at their fragrance.
turned to the left and drew up outside
a wayside inn with a whitewashed face
and Ivy growing UP to its chimney-pots
on one side.
"I'll take the car into the yard"
he said: ''you 60 in and ask what
they'v got to eat. The parlor place Is on
the left Of the front door; I've been
here before"
Elizabeth Obeyed readily: she wns
really hungry. Her youth had responded
10 the fresh air and sunshine and her
spirits had risen wonderfully. She was
singing a snatch OF song as she crossed
he narrow passage of the inn and
pushed open the parlor door. One of the
.wo long tables in the room was already
aid for lunch and q man sat at 1t with
lis back to the door.
He spoke as Elizabeth entered.
Hurry up! Everything's getting
Elizabeth caught her breath hard
n her throat for moment she thought |
he must either be mad or dreaming:
he could not have moved II It had cost
Ter her life, and the man, amazed at not
'eing answered. turned his head.
Then he rose stiffly to his feet, the
olor fading from his rather worn face.
II thought thought 1t was Net.
a. he said hOarsely.
words would pass her lips: she saw
toyston's face mistily. as Ii he were
long way off; she bit her lip and |
'lenched her hands hard, recovering
Ter self control with a great effort.
II didn 'tNexpect to see you," she |
whispered.
NO. lie drew a chair forward.
Meta and I thought we would like
day In the country, so ] hired a car,
lnd---' lie broke off to ask sharply
Is Nine. Scnestis with you?"
Tho color was beating back to
elizabeth s cheeks her whole body
vas throbbing with jealousy.
He had cut her out OF his life, with
lrawn even his friendship from her,
,ut he could hiring Meta out here into
he sunshine; apparently his marriage
vas no barrier between them.
She forced herself to speak.
"Mr. Farmer Is with me-
She was glad when she saw the
pasm Of pain that crossed his face,
md yet 1t seemed to add to her own
ntolerable bitterness and jealousy.
They looked at one another silently,
hen, almost against her will, Eliza
eth broke out passionately: "You
aid you couldn't even be friends with