Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-09-08
THE MYSTERY GIRL
p,noce. Of Battling Plot and Fascinating LoU. Interest
BY CAROLYN WELLS


stated NOR would anybody try. DON I
be alarmed. Mrs. Bates. I'm sure We
know all that's going on.--and I can't
think think there's any trouble brewing for
A., I've heard i; too" youchnsfed
mite, but there are rumors and hints.
and where there's smoke, there's bound
to be fire. l wish you'd at least look
into It. Doctor"
Yes" agreed Emily Bates. "do look
into It, John. Persuade him, Mr..
Lockwood. Not of his duty--he never
r,isapprehends that--but of the neces-
sity Of looking on this matter as a
What a plendcr you are, Emily"
and Waring gave her an admiring bow
%! am almost persuaded that my very
life is in danger!'
"Oh. you won't be good!" The blue
eyes twinkled, but the rosy little mouth
took on a mutinous pout.
Mrs. Peyton turned her attention to
the ten tray. and with an nir Of i'm.
portance continued her duties as hostess.
Bring hot toast, Ito" she said to
the well trained and deferential Jap.
ancse. "And few more lemon Slices
She smiled out through the window,
and moment later a breezy young
chap came into the room.
Hello. folkses." he cried; Hello,
Aunt Emily"
He gave Mrs. Bates m audible kiss
on the pretty check and bowed with
boyiSh good humor to Mrs. Pcyton.
How do you do, Uncle Doctor?"
and How goes it, Lock-" he went
On, as he threw himself, n little
#prawlingly, into an easy chair. "And
hcre's the fair Y,iga Of Troy"
Hc jumped up a. Helen peyton cam"
into the room.
Why r,nky," she said, "when did
YOU Gomez"
"Just now. my girl. as you noted
from your oriel lnttice-and came run
ming down to bosk in the sunshine Of
my smiles"
Behave yourself. Pinky,' admon.
quick blush and realized the saucy hoy
had told the truth.
Pinckney Payne. college freshman.
and nephew Of Emily Bates. was very
fond Of DR.. Waring. his English
teacher. and as also fond, In his boyish
way. Of his aunt. But he was no
respecter Of authority. and. now that
his aunt was to be the wife Of his
favorite professor, also the president
elect Of the college, he assumed an
absolute familiarity with the whole
household.
His nickname was not only an alb
breviation, but was descriptive Of his
exuberant heal tn and invariably red
cheeks. For the rest. he was just q
rollicking. care free boy. ringscadcr in
college fun, often punished, but bob
hing up serenely again, ready for more
mischief.
Helen Peyton adored the irrepressi
BILE Pinky, and though he liked her,
1t was no more than he felt for many
for few.
II Saw Your Beau Today"
"TEA, Mrs. Peyton? Oh, yes, in.
L deed, thank you. Yes, two lemon
and three sugar. And toasts-and cakes
oh. what good ones. What tuck
Alma Mater doesn't feed us like this !.
l say, Aunt Emily. after you are
married. may l come to tea every day ?
And bring the fellows?"
"Ill answer that-you may" said
John Waring.
"And III revise the answer-you
may. with reservations" Mrs. Bates
supplemented. Now, Pinky, you re
n dear and n sweet. but you can't
annex this house and all its affairs,
just because it's going to be my home. I"
Don't want to. Auntie. only
want you to annex me. You'll keep
the same cook we have at present,
won't you?"
He looked soliCitously at her, over
large slice of toast and jam he was
devouring.
Maybe and maybe not" Mrs. Pey-
ton spoke up. Cooks are not always
anxious to be kept"
I" At any rate, we'll have a cook.
Pinky, Of some sort" his aunt assured
him. and the boy turned to tease Helen
Peyton, who was quite willing to be
teased.
~ saw your beau today, Helen"
he said.
(Which one?' she asked placidly.
us there crowd? Well, mean
the Tyler person. Him as hangs out
at Old Salts. And, by the way, Uncle
President--yes, I am a bit previous
on both counts, but you'll soon have
the honor Of being both president and
my uncle--by. the way, I say. Bob
Tyler says there's something in the
wind"
, "a straw to show which way 1t
blows, perhaps" Waring said.
Tyler says there's movement on foot
to make things hot for you II you take
the presidential chair with your pres.
cnt intentions"
"My intentions?"
"Yes. sir; about athletics. and snorta
in general"
tions?"
They say, you mean to cut out
sport
"Oh, Pinckney, you know better than
that"
"Well. DR.. Waring, some seem to
think that's what you have In mind.
If you'd declare your intentions now"
"Look here, Pinky, don't you think
I've enough on my mind In the mat.
ter Of marrying your aunt, without
bringing in other matters till that's
Going to be married soon. Uncle
Doc?"
1--WE are. As soon as your aunt will
select a pleasant day for the ceremony.
Then, that attended to, ! can devote
my mind and energies to this Other
subject. And meanwhile, my boy, II you
hear talk about 1t, don't make any al
sertions,,-.rather. try to hush up tho
subject"
II see-I sce--and I will, Doctor
Waring. You don't want to bother
with those things till you're settled
down married man know just how
you feel about it. Important business,
this getting married-I daresay, sir"
at is--and 30 much 80. that I'm
going to take the bride elect off right
now, for little private confab. You
must understand that we have much to