Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-15

anything but friend with whom it
was always possible to spend a pleasant
day.
She eyed him steadily, and It needed
all his training, all his suave skill in
difficult situations, to maintain his
sang froid before the unintentional
accusation which lurked in her eyes.
lie thought she might be reading him
as he read himself. It was only after
ward that he realized how impossible
that was.
Audrey"
Audrcy's lips moved. She did not
know what to say. She only knew that
she craved for strong arms about her,
and love laid unstinting nt her feet.
even as her own love had been laid. And
this man was Offering 1t.
II hardly know"
Preslow followed hot on his advan.
tnge.
.'You must. dear" he urged. Don't
tell me have hoped In vain.'
His face was very close to hers.
Audrey felt her decision swaying.
., One day will answer she
fnltered. II cannot do SO now." A
little pain showed in Preslow's eyes.
She added: "But I think-I shall try.
l think that ! shall love you--one day"
MY dear!" whispered Prcslow.
He drew her to him and she sub.
mitted to his embrace. unresisting and
silent. Yet when he kissed her her lips
were cold--like Ice.
The yellow car thrummed onward up
the hill. and the darkness crept up from
the eastern skies.
Mamma, 1 have something to tell
you"
1t was the morning after Audrey had
been to Lingtield Races with Preslow,
and she and her mother were break
fasting alone. Aunt Ella was taking
her meal III bed.
"Yes?' Audrey thought Constance
looked old. and In her voice was great
evening""
Constance broke n piece Of toast with
methodical precision, and then left 1t
on her plate.
Proposed to your" shes echoed,
Yes" said Audrey. with some doubt
IN her tone. She had sufficient vanity
to hope that her mother would not
appear incredulous Of her statement.
Constance slipped at her coffee. She
wanted few seconds in which to think.
ireslow had proposed to Audrey. She
knew Preslow we'll enough to realize
mat be could not love Audrey. He
was too much In love with himself. She
told herself that his reason for the pro.
posal was obvious. He must know the
intentions of his uncle in regard to
Audrey. This effort at marriage was
worthy of his tortuous mind.
It was sure way out of any diff :
cuity which might confront him If
Audrey ever returned to her father.
What did You say to him,
Audrew?' she asked.
Audrey hesitatcd. IL am very un.
happy, mamma she answered quietly
hardly knew what to say. Last
night ! thought | might grow to love
him. lie seemed to offer all that I
wanted, all had missed sincc-since-
that dreadful time. But now I lust feel
cold about 1t. l hardly think | should
miss him II l never saw him again.
And yet l find myself wondering-I
am afraid | do not understand.
Incomplete Surrender
Constance studied her. She could
realize something Of Audrey's feelings.
What did you say to him." she
repeated.
-! told him to wait. That one day
! might care for him. He kissed me-"
Constance bit her lip. She knew
better than Audrey how far the sur
render had gone. Also she knew ex-
actly how easy 1t would be for Preslow
to make that surrender complete. She
spoke very slowly.
"Audrey-before YOU finally say yes,
come and see me. VIII you promise to
do that"
Yes, mamma"
They were silent for some time.
Audrey was vainly endcavoring to pierce
the fog Of her own thoughts and de-
sircs: Constance was wondering dumbly
whittier all this was leading; striving
desperately, to smother and kill an i'm
pulse which. rs the days passed. was
growing stronger and stronger within
her.
At last Audrey said: "Can you tell
me Mr.. Hardness addrcss?'
"Why do YOU want it," Constance's
tone was cold and her eyes suddenly
very alert.
II want to call on him." Audrey's
manner had none of its previous hesi-
tatiOn, but was sure and steady.
''iou want to call on him? Have
You taken leave of your senses|' There
was the slightest suspicion Of anger -
the questions.
Audrey shook her head. mo. But
there are one or two things wish to
say to him-which l think should be
said to him by some onc."
Constance was about to ask for de-
tails. but checked herself She was
realizing how like her father Audrey
was. both in features and the directness
of her methods. About her chin, deli.
cately feminine though 1t was. was all
the latent strength which lurked in
ConnngtOn's face.
You are not going to do anything
foolish, Audrcy?" she asked
Audrey blushed. and Constance has
tened to apologize.
II am sorry, dear. should not
Arlington Mansions, just behind st.
James. But / should not call on him
without first notifying him Of the fact.
or you will find your journey wasted.
lie Is hardly ever there"
81 will write him today" said
Audrey.
She posted the letter Immediately
after breakfast. and in 1t told Hark-
ness she would call on him the follow
ing morning at II o'clock. She did
not trouble to give him time to reply.
Arlington Mansions were great
block Of flats of the highest class, and
Audrey found darkness living on the
first floor. lie was waiting for her.
The room in which he received her
was evidently his favOrite apartment.
The walls were paneled and relieved by
only three pictures. One of these pic
lures was photograph of the Cen
turion. Another was an exquisite little