Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-12

wnlcn had not been apparent when
Aunt Ella brought her home from the
Continent. She seemed to have forgot.
ten all about the Eros and Hardness.
anxious as Rhe watched her.
Under the shade Of the great oak
tree. where Hardness had taken his tea
after he had crushed Constance, Aunt
Ella sat and knitted, with her eyes on
angel.
Red Roofs. and he camc in long, low
yellow motorcar. driving alone. He was
Preslow.
II hope I'm not intrudins. Mrs.
I've just been down to Tonbridge--
and ! remembered you lived here" He
saw Audrey. and lifted his hat. GOOD
afternoon, Miss Brent"
Audrey came across to him. He
thought she looked pleased to see him.
Constance watched them as their hands
met. and wondered why Preslow had
come.
II am going to commit burglary. I"
he was saying. And want you to act
as my accomplice. Do you think you
could steal a bunch Of your mothers
talk?"
II could try" assented Audrey, and
turned away to the flower. beds.
PreslOw looked at Constance.
u called In to have n chat with
YOU he said quietly. Can you spare
me a few. minutesp"
IF 1t Is very important. answered
Constance coldly. She had no great
affection for the son of Lady Barbara
PreslOw.
They strolled down the pathway, and
sat on low seat under the bridge
bordering the vegetable garden. Pres.
low came to the point abruptly,
Mrs. Brent, I have fallen in love
with your daughter"
Constance did not look at Preslow
for some moments. She was endeavor.
ing to think clearly. At last she said |:
Audrcy?''
confident, asserted Preslow brisk /.
ly, much as he would have confirmed
q statement relative to his work.
Why have you troubled to tell me ~
The sarcasm in Constance's voice left
Preslow untouched. He knew she was
referring to the fact that neither he
nor his mother recognized her in the
ordinary course Of things.
Il think It is best that We should
understand one another perfectly in an
affair Of this description" he answered
smoothly.
"iou have wonderful perception. -
observed Constance. Docs Audrey also
understand--perfectly?"
Preslow shook his head. "I have
not spoken to Audrey. yet" he ad
mitted. 1T was on that subject, really,
that called on you."
II see,' said Constance. "You do not
know If Audrey cares for you yet?"
II don't think she is unfavorably dis
posed toward me-"
"Well?"
Preslow produced a silver cigarette
case. May l? Perhaps you would
like one too?"
Constance shook her head. "The air
is very sweet she said. Preslow look
cd quickly, at her. He was wondering
whether she was serious. He did not
associate Constance Brent with an ap.
probation of nature. Yet, as he looked
round the garden, he was conscious OF
vaguely understood, but different,
viewpoint. However, he had come on
business.
"A lot may be done" he said slowly,
watching the blue smoke spiraling from
his cigarette, ''by a little iudiciously
exercised influence, especially IL that
influence is brought to bear by mother.
l have come to YOU to obtain your
approval Of my suit, and also to enlist
your assistance In pressing it,
Sir Richards "LOve"
Constance faced him. do you real (.
ize that it is a dangerous thing to at :
tempt to order the bestOwal Of girls S
affections?"
Preslow nodded. "I do. One is
likely to spoil everything. But ! ask
for no ordering. l merely ask for Il
diplomacy such as you know how to
use; n gentle, unobstructive pressure,
an imperceptible molding Of thought and
inclination. 1t can be done"
Constance looked across the garden.
She knew that PreslOw was speaking
the truth. Suppose l object to the
whole AFFAIR."" she asked.
"Oh. but you will not" answered
Prcslow easily.
"Why?" She turned to him swiftly
once more.
Preslow shrugged his shoulders. 1T
is the most sensible thing that could
happen.' His eyes were fixed steadily
on Constance. II have given the whole
affair great deal of thought, and /
can see no other sequence of events
which would give such generally salts
factory results as marriage between
myself and Audrey. ! hasten to assure
you that in my consideration l dwelt
fully on the fact that you have done
everything for her,
"You are more than kind" mur-
mured Constance bitterly. This Is
business arrangement
Hardly" Preslow was suavely
logical. "At first, l admit, l approach.
ed 1t from business standpoint, but
find now that l really have a great
affection for Audrey herself, apart from
all other things"
Constance bit her lip. This was the
love Prcslow had to offer. A business
Arrangement at first, but now n great
affection. Nothing more. PreslOw fol-
lowed up his point
1T Is a better arrangement than
er-the Harkness affair"
"What do you know of Harkness?'
Constance tone was hostile.
Prcslow smiled. IL spent the even
ing with Audrey yesterday. learnt
one or two things
Constance eyed him steadily. She
knew that he could have pumped
Audrey so skillfully regarding Hark-
ness that the girl would not be aware
Of the process. She was wondering
how much he knew, and began to be
afraid that he knew everything. which
was exactly what Prcslow intended.
"HarkncSs does not enter into the
discussion" she said.
II scc," murmured Preslow. at is
fnished?"