ftwpsjB
T&Ymtl'NG EEDGfiR-pmflADEflPHlA. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1015:
5
HE BLUE BUCKLE
A BAFFLING MYSTERY AND BREATHLESS TALE OF ADVENTURE
Author of "Tho Red Mouse," ''The Running Fight," "Catspaw," Etc.
. .. inn Mnfiiie. isms ."'
riCopr'nl' JJ"
I
HF Mrrnata.
iB . t - irnitMllanlfo Idler, returning
" J0, CrnW Jlulhtrferd nits '
wffxrww''ij!ft
L"SS '''.'
ijm t.ftrL Jir tnivitid
'" ::-.W to ltulhtrfora. ana in a
Hnf f'v';I,,, (tint no suspects mo ' ""
i lU. .?"' W. .,r.rVt? ooerator to
!Vffm?.c"" .-:
(!rt ia
f H,..nTim vi-(ConUnued)
Uerford hd no relatives In this part
.unit""' ln l.n tintl
lM continent. " ""-' "V "
,1 a cable to Henri, m -
1 .bout for tho well-known face.
U was nowhere to bo aeon. Henri, nn
noil "" . , in-f.,,! nn
taunt, Wou.a """;;--."",.
nor Bcemca so nci-j
I j,j appeared. ,
Lv.rford called a cab nnd started to
I," i'h. cabby load his leathers, lnclud-
galling "u ""-" ; -
in was willing t0 d U n,onc' l10
V .... .h n.,,l waited until tho
i Into lc -""
' ... -I ..1 ITn-wnit nlur-
nuirere etowcu " "-
idly out tno opposuo """ "
ln9 throng or hurrying vehicles nnd
.,. .ml wondering It no woum c.u.
T '..... ., inicrpst ill It All. when tho
LTv SrSit an Inquisitive head In nt tho
her door. tf
iSrTcrnlg8 could reply the man stood
UUr Vrid r to mako way tor a lady
, .nmtiK Into tho taxi.
'.Vo. "" """
uctcd calmly.
rh cabby ciostii mu .uw ... .
man promptly pulled down tho ohado.
.driver, aasumlnir tho two to bo to-
Vt climbed Into his seat and whirled
vt from tno pier.
rilff looked around In cold wonder at
. Intruder. It was aire, laicou, dm
0 lnliuu . . i i. .(,! l.ln 1if nn.
fled nt lum ana o mi - "- -J.
H rould not havo uttored a word
his llfo depended upon It. Ito was ut-
ry confounded.
lira. Talcott, howovcr, botrayed no con-
Ion Her piovea naim :.iviivii ...wco
front of lilm and lowered tho other
,a. Thrv wcro Bhut toBethcr In tho
ald'arkness of tho taxi. For scvoral
cla they travcicu inns wimuui u ui
. .nnkm. Tho Elrl'a only apparent
lotion was that of Impatience. When
i cab wai rorcea 10 ko Hiuxiy ;
tho traffic alio would glanco quickly
through tho llttlo back, window and
n lean forward as If urclnf? haste.
.....,.ii .ho pmctl to notlco her com-
nlor.'s taciturnity and looked timidly nt
to, once or xwo. "":""--;
tpcak. scinp; no tvus nut i
n aha sntd timidly:
rT cannot tell you at least not now
by I havo to do this!"
Do not troublo yourself. It Isn't ncccs-
"?Y," ho replied.
Rutherford's nerves wcro on raw edge.
i plto of what his own eyes nau hcch
o moment ho wus with this cliarnilnB
iunR person ho could fool nothing savo
r all-pervading charm. Sho was so ecn
bely nlnsomo, and In tho new tola of
'king his protection, vl h-ijui i..
,, !,.. nltrnetlon increased tenfold! But
alg was still too near to tho precipice
cr uhlch ho hod looked, to wish to ho
ought back. Ho was determined not to
iten to any explanation whatever, truo
otherwise, which would only lovcal
ore fully how desperately different sho
is from tho woman ho had stubbornly
pposed her to be.
lis words, wlillo courteous, oniy uuuw
her embarrassment.
Think you." she stammered. "I would
ifr hnvn presumed but 1'OU wero lclnd
Iough to offer to help mo at any time
J I thoueht well, no ono over knows."
kvo ono ever knows," Craig agreed, non-
nnlttally.
Illenco for a few moments then
'If you don't mind, I'll ralso this cur-
n now." observed Rutherford. "It's
thtr close in here."
Certainly," sho replied In a low volco.
I lifted tho shade, then turned quickly
find tha nlrl looking at him. hor sweet
es bright with tears. She Hushed a3 his
lie met hers.
Tou-you are not-oli, I am afraid I
,ve offended you!" sho exclaimed softly.
Hit thero was no other wnyl"
f Cralc had never boforo known how
Hurlng can be the embarrassment of a
torally poised woman ho learned It
'W. It seemed to him that a charm a3
ider as tho mist brooding over tho
wing summer landscapo now enhanced
i singular perfection In featuro nnd
lorlng. Craig steeled Ills emotion, his
tire generosity, with an effort.
'I understand. I offered you my Berv-
ij, and I am glad you could avail your
t of them," ha replied with studied
he sank back against thq cushions and
do no further effort to talk to him.
rale fancied he could nlcture tho events
llch led up to her abrupt entrance Into,
i cao. iter husband had been arrestee,
e had eacape'd, probably with Ilclder-
ns am; and, just as boforo, sho was
Ing to hoodwink him to mako a cats-
w of him, In a clever escape!
Wderman ho had seen only for a mo
'nt before Innrllnc. ITn linrl not cone
clt to keep that tragic appointment in
i, royai suite and had studiously avoldea
.occupant ud to tho time of docking.
en, In. the throng awaiting to dlsem-
rK. no haa felt a llrm, familiar clasp on
shoulder, nnd had turned to see Ilel
n beaming cordially upon him.
ug had nodded curtly and shaken the
m'a hand away as ho hurried -toward
gangway. Just as ho started down
s, narrow plank he had glanced back
imentarlly to see the other smiling with
weal amusement. He was evidently
JSruntr at Crate's Tinvlsh resentment of
fact that a man had overreached him,
A slaved with t.iit
M the elderly husband Jind been caught
"i meneaness and the pretty young
I'JJud escaped, Rutherford could only
aClUda that TTalAfo.. ...no B.lll nnAi..
i .:- .. ..viuoiiuait vi ua dl.il k.l.i-
Jfiths machinery to his own ends.
JMwother wild thought now leaped
I9tralg'a brain In .hnt verv event.
' ot the financier playing right Into
CJL nanas, ny allowing tho Bin to
'Jfi his protectlonT
"evident that, whether lie chose
(J10., Fate had llhkeH l.la forttinen In
"?.alr wlth theao people J and he In-
stV ""o'd to right-about face. He
?.i11d this lady to the toesfof hi
!? hB would trust her If tie could;
.-.;,- " tu!iib iter lii, vouiu mo
)t& tab drew up to a curb lna side
!8!i?d the drver sprang down and
F.tho door Rutherford glanced
Sal " unfa"illlar neighborhood, ana
.v. YYuy mey (ma stopped.
ns wbto
ierrord got out and extended a
u airs 'i'atcqtt.
. 'b assist you," he said, smiling.
FOUr COmiTinnnlflr'a unril.' v.l ,.!
' ?? 'na"ner caused her to glance
.At him. fia IP in TTIflWn mirA that
fi,'aiUy a rIenl again. She placed
b-.. ui ju, ana no perceived thai
aS tremfallnt Tnft llttl .mn.onl
Ktad been given the hardest task or
!& ? prformance to perform, lie
EPwj.n' now Bha seemed more for-
fiT wneiy than he had ever seen
lte spoke a lew more words of
ramrnonplace, while the man gpt
uiKltge
ere fttartrMnt. nn th. KlH.unlk
New York ancient thorouch-
mra change bad hunted In before
t ictnrlned it work Uldfusli-
work Old-fkisli-
wero hclnp pulled down to mako room
for the ever-present business block and
apartment house. Furnished-room nnd
boardlug-houso sIriis dangled dejectedly,
na If they knew that their dnya of use
fulness wcro numbered tho moment tho
drifting llme-nnd-brlck dust settled over
them. Altogether, It was not tho neigh
borhood which Rutherford would havo
expected a woman llko Mrs. Tnlcott to
find agreeabtc.
Sho was looking Intently nt tho house In
front of them.
"It hasn't changed, except to grow
Uglier, perhaps," sho observed.
At this moment, a splclt-nnd-span young
man, who had perched on tha Btono
railing of tho stoop, came down tho steps.
"is this 7" ho began.
"You nro Mr. Maxwell?" eho Inter
rupted, beforo ho could finish his ques
tion. "I'm his son," the young man acknowl
edged, with a buoyant brcezlncss which
Crnlg keenly enjoyed as ti puro product
of tho homeland to which ho was re
turning. "Tho govornor sent mo down
with the keys, nnd wanted mo to say
thnt If everything wasn't all right he
would do anything necessary."
"Thank you, air. Maxwell, sho said.
Mulling nt him. "Now will you go In
with us nnd poo?"
She Included Rutherford In the Invi
tation, with a look which begged him
to nccept ns plainly as words could havo
done. Trged by his curloRlty, bv tho hope
that something would transpire to glvo
him a dinner) to bcllevo her what she so
nttrnctUoly looked to be, Crnlg followed
her. y.
"I halo fo go alono Into nn unoccu
pied house," she nnid, half In npology.
Crnlg entorcd tho hlgh-celllngcd. quaint
ly elnborato parlor with a not of thoughts
ond feelings curiously confused. To every
llttlo appeal on her part, ho Instantly ro
ponded with a thrill. Ho loved her; and
ho doubted her. Ho belloved that she was
playing with him; nnd ho could not dls
gulso tho keen happiness ho felt at hor
dependence upon him, real or simulated.
Her next words, when they wero scarce
ly Inside tho house, gave Rutherford a
slight shock.
"Mr. Maxwell the pistol, pleasol"
"Oh, of coursol" oald that young man,
producing a box from his pocket, and talc
ing from It a hammcrless revolver. "You
nro necustomed to firearms, Miss-Mrs-?"
"Oh, yes!" sho Interrupted quickly, with
a glanco nt lilm.
Maxwoll explained tho mechanism of
tho gun, and sho followed him with a
ready grasp which Indicated that sho wns.
Indeed, familiar with weapons. Ruther
ford wondered what It nil meant
Laying tho gun on tho tnblo, sho took
threo rectangular boxen from tho small
pigskin bag, which sho had carried con
stantly in her hand.
"You know what theso are, Mr. Max
well!" eho nsked.
"Of course!" replied Maxwoll, with his
usual enthusiasm; "they nro the"
Tho girl again Interrupted lilm,
"Will you kindly ndjust them according
to tho Instructions you havo received?"
Without another word, Maxwoll took tho
threo boxes, and left tho room. Ruther
ford heard lilm ascend to tho next floor,
whero ho was occupied for about llvo
minutes; then ho lcjolncd them.
"Now If there's anything moro I can
do, Just call on mo," ho announced henrtl
ly. And ho produced a card and handed
It with a flourish to Rutherford.
Craig saw tho blush with mantled thn
girl's cheeks, as tho significance of tho
action struck her. Maxwell had taken
lilm for her husband. Ho glanced at
tho card, finding some sly amusement In
tho situation.
"Sprawllns' American Sporting Goods
Houso! You represent them, Mr. Mas
well?" "You bet I do! But I do sldo Job3 for
tho governor, when he's rushed. He's
real estate, you know. I guess I must
movo on now.
Mrs. Talcott thanked him again, and
dismissed him.
"I think that will bo nil nt present.
Mr. Rutherford vlll look about "
"Rutherford!" exclaimed Maxwell, look
ing nt tho other man with tho frank ad
miration given by nil sport-cnthuslnsta
to their heroes. "I thought your face
looked familiar. You're old Craig Ruther
fordl" "I nm that!" Craig assented.
Maxwell seized his hand nnd wrung It
with unbounded and slightly-painful de
light. "By Georgo, sir, I'm glad to see you
looking bo fltl So that's why you've been
so long on the other side getting over the
effects of that last spill! I thought, after
your horso landed you on top of that
cobblc-fenco nnd thon fell on top of you,
out there on Long Island why, I thought
you wero done fori Wo all did. Sprawl
Ins nearly weptl I'll tell him you look
fit ns a fiddle. It's grentl"
Craig smiled at his boyish enthusiasm,
nnd promised to call In to see Sprawllns
soon.
"Going In for polo again this year, sir,
or do you Intend to recapture that golf
trophy?" Maxwell persisted.
Rutherford said he really didn't know;
nnd tho boy turned with this parting shot:
"Well, nnythlng I can do for you here,
command me at any time you, or Mrs.
Rutherford!"
Tho girl crimsoned nt this appellation,
"This is Mrs. Talcott," said Rutherford,
quietly. '
"Beg pardon! I know that was tho
name the governor said but I well, you
see, I Just did a little bit of original
thinking nnd got mixed. Hint's all!"
Then he niado a hasty adieu and dis
appeared. Rutherford knew that lie was alone In
tho Iioubo with this girl. He stepped to
tho window, pulled back the shade which
was drawn down, saw that the cnb plied
with his possessions was still waiting, and
then turned to make his excuses.
"I'll say good-by now, Mrs. Talcott "
he began, somewhat awkwardly,
"Don't go yet," she said.
"There Is something I can do?"
"Lots of things!" she nfilrmed smiling
shyly nt him; "and I've Just been learning
about others!"
"From my admirer?" laughed Craig.
"Well, It's good to have one friend at
court, anyway! And perhaps he will take
a personal Interest In making- things
habitable for you over here."
"Thank you. And now, If you don't
rnlnd, could you take time to look over
the house with me?"
Cralg readily assented. The spirit ot
this adventure had long since taken com
plete possession of lilm. As they reached
ti,o .mntv hall of the big. gloomy house.
he quite appreciated how she might find,
much cause lor anxiety in who wb
loneliness.
"Dp you mean to live here alone? he
ventured to Inquire.
"Why not?" she parried; and it seemed
to him that she waited a trifle anxiously
for his reply. ..,.
"I fancied you might be afraid," he re
piled. "Oh. is that ml!" she exclaimed In ap
parent relief. "I-I fancied it did not seem
quite the proper thing to you."
For a second he felt tempted to tell her
that ho had dispensed with all the con
ventional points of view, in regard to her.
He did not consider smuggling the
"proper thlng"-but he had not let it
overcome the magnetism with whleh ehe
attracted him Indeed, he might have
said, U he had taken to frankne, that
he was unable to oppose br charm with
any of the well-i emulated and entirely
props ideas be had always entertained
it avar4.fl.1na theru all
nlone?" ho nsked ngaln, wondering If Sho
had resigned her husband to tho core
of tho Government for a protracted
ticrlod. '
"Quito nlone," sho answered frankly;
' unless my former mull comes back to
me. That Is tho reason 1 nm so grate
ful to you for coming In. If you will bo
good enough to go over tho houso with
me, so that I shnll bo quite euro I nm
entirely nlone, I shall bo twlco grateful."
Sho spoko with studied oaso. Ruther
ford, howver, noticed that now ns they
Ppronchd tho third floor, where tho
shndes nt the windows wero so Jealously
lowered, she seemed pale nnd fatigued,
and there wero slight circles of worry
visible below her eyes.
"It will bo n consUlernble nervous strnln
for you to live hero without compntiy,"
ho remarked.
"I'm afraid It will," sho surprised him
by acknowledging; "but I must I It Is
the only way I enn help hlml It Is tho
only way Hint wo can provo "
Sho slopped suddenly nnd bit her Up.
Rutherford respected her secret nnd nsked
no moro quentlons. Ho could feel only
ndmlrntlon for the resolute young spirit
who could daro nny danger nnd tho peril
of loneliness for the Rnkn nf nl.Unc- nni
Bho loved.
Already regretting her outburst tho girl
hurried from ono room to another. When
thev returned to tho lower floor Ruther
ford noticed that there wcro nlchei in tho
wall from whenco stntues had onco over
looked tho slnlrs. Thev were curtained,
but he had renched tho front room on tho
second floor before It occurred to lilm to
explore them Ho turned back.
"I meant to glance Into thoio niches,"
hr said.
"I wns n hntter detective than yon; I
did so," she replied hastily.
"t didn't notlco tho fact." said Cralg.
inwnrdly sum Hint no nctlon ot hers hnd
escnped lilm
"You nron't very observant, nro your
she asked, smilingly.
Cralg notlcod that her lips did not
stra ghton; thoy curved Boftly into tho
Cupid's bow. of which he had read, but
which ho had doubted until now. He mar
veled Inwardly nt this now charm which
had escaped lilm hitherto; and mnrvollng
ho forgot that his cyo had not loft hor
for nn Instant on their Journey up nnd
down tho stairway, nnd tho curtained
niches could not havo been examined
without his observing It.
Tho room to which sho now led lilm
occupied tho width of tho houso, on tho
second floor, and wns designed evidently
ns n study. A fiat-topped desk stood In
the middle of tho floor, a graceless
thought perhaps convenient pleco of
furnlturo with two tiers of drawers. Its
only ornament wns tho finely-mounted
lioacl of a Rocky Mountain gont.
'George, what a bully specimen!" ex
claimed Cralg, his hunting Imtlnot
nroused. "Who got him? Whero did ho
como from?"
"Mr. Tnlcott shot hlm-in tho Rockies,
I bellovo."
"A benuty but look at this It's a down
right sliamo! Ho's such nn unusually flno
rcllow, it's a pity ho Isn't perfect!"
Rutherford wns looking -with lively ro
gret nt tho tip end .if one of tho long,
curved horns. It wns broken off. Ho
reached out and touched tho blemish.
Mrs. Tnlcott, who had been standing be
side him, moved away uneasily.
"It wns probnbiy broken in some wicked
light ho hnd with another mountain
uense, sno said Hastily.
Then, ns if unwilling to contlnuo the
subject, sho sat down nt tho desk, opened
a drawer, nnd laid tho pistol In It. Ruth
erford realized for tho flfst tlmn that sho
had carried tho weapon with hor during
tho exploring tour. Tho knowledge
piqued lilm,
'Tld you carry that with you In nrn-
ptxjot us both, in caso thero should bo nny-
oiio in tno nousor- no nsKctl, with a trace
of sarcasm In his voice.
Sho glanced nt him beforo replying. Sho
had a trick of reading all his moods by
tho tono of his voice, nnd her own mood
seemed Instantly to respond.
"No I perhaps I nm becoming too
much n victim of my own fears," sho
said hesitatingly.
"Do you not trust mo?" ho demanded
bluntly.
"Oh, how can you nsk that, when I nm
trusting you hero when I havo trusted
you nil nlongl" sho breathed.
Hardly knowing what ho did, Cralg
reached out nnd took both of her hands
In his. Ho was not nn nnchorlto; he was
only human; nnd thn luro of her droop
ing lips, tho nearness of her hands, tho
perfumo of her hair, tho tired look In her
eyes, wero too much for lilm. Ho only
know that ho wantod to tnko her In his
arms nnd comfort her this lonelyv brnve.
helpless, misguided llttlo woman! Sho
flushed, nnd struggled to freo her hands.
"Lot me try the telephone," sho pleaded
breathlessly.
"Will you listen to mo, then?" ho asked.
She nodded, without raising her nyes to
his, Ho released her hands. Ho had
mado up his mind to tell her thnt ho
cared for her so much ho would guard her
from all tho rest of the world, and ho
would nlso guard her from himself. Ho
would mako It perfectly clenr to her that,
although ho could not longer conceal his
love. It would bo devoted to silent service
for her, and would ask nothing In return.
His love was something of which ho was
not nshamed something which sho need
not fear something she could lean upon
at nny tlmo of stress.
Sho renched for the receiver of tho
desk-telephone; then, Instead of taking
it. her freo hand shot out and pressed one
of the three buttons that were Imbedded
In tho desk.
Again Cralg experienced a quick re
vulsion of feeling. This girl, while pre
tending to trust him, was letting him
mako a fool ot himself. He had meant
to reassuro her nnd sho -would not listen
to htm she was summoning aid!
"By heaven, I will speak!" he cried,
seizing her hand ngnin.
She did not seem to hear lilm, and for
the moment did not try to disengage her
hand. Sho sat listening, poised, ex
pectant. At tho same Instant n voice, angry, ex
ultant, was heard In the lower hall;
"Trapped! uaugnt like a rat in a trap!
(CONTINUED TOMORROW.)
COMING ON
SATURDAY!
The Seven Darlings
By
GOUVERNEUR
MORRIS
CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS
LETTER S
Best Coal
Egx S7, SIotc $7.25, Chestnut $7.50
Large Rouna Pea Coal. $5.50
Largett Coal Yard in PhUadlphta
OWEN LETTER'S SONS
Trenton Ave. & Westmoreland St
THE TEMPTING OP TAVERNAKE
By E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM
CHAPTER VI.
BACK TO CIVILIZATION
When, -after a long stay In the wllda,
whero health of body nnd mind had corns
back to him, nnd n lucky find of oil hnd
made him a wealthy mnn( Tavernnke
returned to New York. Ho wired Prllch
nrd to meet him.
Rrltchnrd laughed softly ns ho passed
his arm through his friend's.
"Come, my Briton," ho said, "my prlm
Itlvo man, I havo rooms for you In a
hotel closo hero. A bath nnd a mint Julep,
then I'll take you to a tailor's. What
about tho big country? It's; better than
your Bait marshes, eh? Better than your
llttlo Ashing vlllngo7 Better than build
ing boats?"
"You know It," Tavernnko answered.
"I feot ns though I'd been drawing In
llfo for month after month. Havo I got
to wear boots llko yourn-patent7
"Got to bo done," Prltchnrd declared.
"And tho hat oh, my hcavenBl" Tnv
ernake groaned. "I'll novor become civil
Izod ngaln."
"We'll boo," Prltchnrd laughed. "Say,
Tavernnke. It wns a grcnt trip of ours.
Kvcrythlng's turning out mnrvclously.
Tho oil nnd tho copper nro big, ninn
big, I tell 5ou. I reckon your flvo thou
sand dollar wilt bo woll on tho way to
half a million. I'm protty near thero
myself."
It wns not until Inter on, whon ho was
nlono, that Tavernnko realized with how
llttlo Interest ho listened to Ills com
panion's talk ot their success. It wns so
short a tlmo ngo Blncn tho building up
of n fortune had hern tho ono aim upon
which every ncrvo ot his body wns cen
tered. C'urlouMy enough, now ho seemed
to tnko It n n mntter of course
"On second thought, I'll send n tailor
round to tho hotel," Frltohnrd declared.
"1'vo rooms myself next yours. Wo can
go out nnd buy boots and the other things
afterward."
Vy nightfall, Tavornake's wardrobo was
complete. Kven Prltchord rogarded him
with a certain surprise. Ho seemed,
somehow, to havo gained a now dignity.
"Sny, but you look grcatl" he oxclalmed,
"They won't bcllevo It nt tho meeting to
morrow that you nro tho man who
crossed tho Yollto Mountnlns nnd swnm
tho Pornncck River. Thnt'n a wonderful
country you wcro In, Tavernnke, nftcr
you left tho tracks."
"I'll never keep nwny from It." ho said,
softly. "I'll hnvo to go back."
Prltchnrd smiled.
"When your report's In shape nnd tho
dollars aro being scooped In, they'll send
you back fnst enough that Is, If you still
want to go," ho remarked. "I tell you,
Leonard Tnvornako, our city men here
nro out for tho dollars. Over on your
side, 'n mnn makes a million or so nnd
ho's hnd enough. Ono fortune hero only
secnifl to whet tho nppctlto of a New
Yorker. By tho wny," ho ndded, nftcr
a moment's hesitation, "does It Interest
you to know that nn old friend of yours
Is tit Now York?"
Tnvernako's hend went round swiftly.
"Who Is It?" ho nsked.
"Mrs. Wcnlinm Gnrdncr."
Tavernnko net his teeth.
"No." ho Hnld,.slowly, "I don't know
that that intorestslno."
"Glad of It," Prltchnrd went on "f
can tell you I don't think thtngu havo
been going extra well with tho lady.
Sho's spent most of what sho got from
tho Gardner family, nnd sho doesn't
seem to hnvo hnd tho best of luck with
It, either. T enmo ncross her by accident.
Sho Is staying nt a flnshy hotel, but It's
In tho wrong quarter second rate quite
second -rate."
"I wonder whether wo shall see nny
thlng of her," Tavernnko remarked.
"Do you want to?" Prltchnrd nuked.
"She'll probnbiy ho at Mnrtln's for lunch,
nt tho Plnza for tea, and Rector's for
supper. She's not exactly tho lady to
remain hidden, vou know."
"Wo'll avoid thoso places, thon, If u
nro tnklng mo around," Tavernnko said.
"You'ro cured, aro you?" Pritchard In
quired. "Yes, I nm cured," Tavcrnake answered,
"cured of thnt nnd a great many other
things, thanks to you. You found mo
tho right tonic."
"Tonic." Pritchard repeated, medita
tively. "That reminds mo. This way for
tho best cocktnll In New York."
Tho night wns not to pass, howovcr,
without Its own especial thrill for Taver
nake. Tho two men dined together nt
Dolmonlco'a nnd went afterwards to a
roof garden, n now form of entertain
ment for Tavernnke, nnd ono which In
terested him vastly. They secured ono
of tho outside tables near the parapets,
nnd below them Now York stretohed, a
flaming phantasmagoria ot lights and
crildo bulldlngi. Down tho broad avenues
with their towering blocks, their street
cars striking tire nil tho tlmo llko toys
below, tho people streamed llko Insects
nwny to tho Hudson, whero tho grcnt
ferry bonis, nblnzo with lights, went
screaming ncross tho dark waters. Taver
nako leaned over nnd forgot. Thero wns
so much thnt wns nninzlng In this mar
velous city for a mnn who had only Just
begun to Ilnd himself.
Tho orchestra, stntloned within a few
yards of him, commenced to piny a
popular wait?, nnd Prltchnrd to talk.
Tavernnko turned his fascinated eyes
from the proipect below.
"My young friend." Pritchard Bftld, "you
nro up ngnlnst It tonight. Tnko n drink
of your wlno nnd then brnco yourself."
Tnvornako did ns he was told.
"Whnt Is this danger?" ho nsked.
"What's wrong, anyway7"
"Do you wish to go?" Pritchard nsked.
Tnvernnko shook his hend.
"Not 1!" ho nnswered. "This place Is
far too fascinating. Can't wo havo somo
rnoro wlno? This Is my treat. And,
Pritchard, why do you look nt mo llko
that7 You nro not supposing for a mo
ment that I um cnpnblo ot making nn
ass of myself ngaln?"
Prltchnrd smiled In n relieved fashion
"My young friend," ho said, "I hnvo
lived In tho word so tong nnd seen so
mnny strnngo thjngs espoclnlly between
men nnd women, thnt I nm noer sur
prised nt nnylhlng. I thought you'd shed
your follies nn your grip upon llfo hnd
tightened, but mm is nover sure."
Tnvernnko sighed
Ji'i?'1'...1, ,mVn s,le1 tMO worat "f my
follies' ho nnswered. "I only wish "
boVi? iVn'0r 'lnl8l:e'1 lus sentence. i;ilzn
,i"Yl sutl(loIll- seen him. For a mo
ment she leaned forwnrd ns though to
assure herself that sho was not mistaken.
Jn.v., sho 1,mlf Hnr!lnB to her feet and sat
down ngnln. Her lips wero parted-
tlhil""8 "C m0r0 bowlIacrlng1y beau-
."AV'- Tivemnke," sho cried, "como nnd
speak to mo nt once."
Tnvoriinko rose without hesltntlon, and
walked firmly across tho few yards which
separated them. Sho held out both her
hnnds.
"TIiIb is wonderful!" sho exclaimed.
You In New York! And I havo won
uered bo often what became of you."
Tavernnko smiled.
"It Is my Hist night horo," ho said.
I' or two years I havo been prospecting
In tho Far Wr-st."
"Then I saw our nnnio In tho papers,"
Bho declared. "It wns for tho Manhattan
Syndicate, wasn't it?"
Tnvernnko nodded, nnd ono of tho men
of tho pnrty leaned forward with Interest.
"You'ro going to mnko millions and
millions," sho assured him. "You always
know you would, didn't you?"
"I nm afraid Hint I was nlmost too
confident," he nnswered. "But certnlnly
wo havo been qulto fortunate."
Ono of Elizabeth's companions Inter
vened ho was tho ono who had pricked
up his rant at tho mention ot tho Mnn
hnttnu Syndicate.
"Say, Elizabeth." he remarked, "I'd
llko to meet your friend."
Elizabeth, with n frown, performed tho
Introduction.
"Mr. Anthony Cruxhnll Mr. Tnver
nnko!" Mr. Cruxlinll held out a fat white hnnd,
on tho llttlo linger of which glittered n
big diamond ring.
"Say, nro you thn Mr. Tnvernnko thnt
wns surveyor to tho prospecting pnrty
Kent out by tho Manhattan Syndlcnto?"
ho Inquired.
"t was." Tnvernnko admitted, briefly.
"I still nm, I hope."
"Then you'ro Just tho mnn I wns hoping
to meet,' Mr. Cruxhnll declared. "Won't
jou sit down with us right here? I'd
llko to tnlk somo nbnut Hint trip. I'm
Interested In tho syndicate "
Tnvernnko shook his head.
"1'vo had enough of work for a time,"
ho said. "Beside, I couldn't tnlk nbont
It till nfterny report to tho meeting
tomorrow.
"Just a few words." Mr. Cruxhnll per
sisted. "Wo'll hnvo n bottlo of cham
pagne, ch?"
"You will excuso me, I nm Btire," Tnvor
nako replied, "when I tell you that it
would not be correct on my part to dis
cuss my trip until after I havo handed hi
my report to tho company. I nm very
glad to havo seen you ngaln, Mrs.
Gnrdncr."
"But you nro not going!" sho cx
clnlmed. In dismay.
"I have loft Mr. Prltchnrd nlone,"
Tnvernnko answered.
Elizabeth smiled and waved her hand
to tho Eolltnry ilgurc.
"Our friend Mr. Trltchard ngaln." she
remarked. "Well, It is renllv n curious
meeting. Isn't It? I wonder," sho lifted
amsi!iaB
f
Sin o
MX ' T The
(fs jH Stoic
A Breezy Spring
STETSON HAT
- for Fashionable Fellows
JOHNrB. STETSON COMPANY
1224 Chestnut Street
her head to his and hor eyes called him
closer to hers "havo you forgotten every
thing?" He pointed over tho roofs of tho houses.
His back waa to tho river nnd ho pointed
westward.
"I hnvo been In a country where one
forget," ho answered. "I think that I
hnvo thrown tho knapsack of my follies
away. I think that It h burled. There
nro somo things which I do not forget,
but nro scarcely to bo spoken of."
"You nro a strnngo young mnn," she
enld. "Wno I wrong r wero you not
onco In love with me?"
"I wns terribly In lovo with you,"
Tnvernnko confessed.
"Yet you tore tip my check nnd flung
yourself nwny when you found out that
my standard of mornls wns not quite
what you had expected," she murmured.
"Haven't jou got over that qulxotlclsm
a llttlo, Leonard?"
Ho drew a deep filgh.
"I am thankful to say," lie declared,
earnestly, "thnt I havo not got over it;
Hint, It anything) my prejudices nre
stronger thnn ever."
Sho sat for a moment quits still and
her foco hnd becomo hard and expres
sionless. She wan looking past htm, past
tho lino of lights, out Into tho bluo dark
ness. "Somehow," she ald, softly, "I always
prnjed that you might roniember. You
wero tho ono truo thing I hnd ever met,
you wero In enrnost. It is past, then?"
"It Is past," Tavernnko nnswered,
bravely.
Tho muslo of a Hungarian waltz camo
floating down to them. Sho hnlf closed
her eyes. Hor hend moved slowly with
thn melody. Tnvoninltp looked nwny.
"Will you como nnd seo mo Just once?"
sho nsked, suddenly. "I nm staying nt
tho Dolvodero, In 4Id street."
"Thank you very much," Tnvoriinko
replied. "I do not know how long I shnll
ho In New York. If I nm hero for a fow
dns, I nhall talco my chnnco nt finding
you nt home."
Ho bowed nnd returned to Pritchard,
who welcomed him with a quiet smile
You'ro wise, Tavernnke," he said, softly.
"I could hear no words, but I know that
you havo been wlso. Between you nnd
me," ho ndded, In a lower tone, "sho Is
going down hilt. Bho in IH tvith the wrong
lot here. Sho can't e!m to keep away
from them. They nre on the very frlhKp
Ot Bohemia, a great dent nearer the nTrit
of the law thnn makes for respectable
society. Tho man to whom I saw yon
Introduced Is a millionaire one day and
a thlet tho next. They're none if them
nhy good. Did you notice, too, that ehe
Is wearing sham Jewelry? That always
looks bad."
"No, I didn't notice," Tavernnke an
swered. ltn was silent for a moment Than
ho leaned a little forwnrd.
"I wonder," ho nsked, "do you know
nn thing about her sister?"
Prltchnrd finished his wine and knocked
the nsh from his cigar.
"Not much," he replied. "I believe
sho had a Very hard time. Sho took on
tho father, jou know, the old professor,
nnd did her best to keep lilm straight.
lis died nbout a year ago nnd Miss Baa
trico tried to get hack Into the theatre,
but sho'd missed her chance. Theatrical
business tins been shocking In London.
I heard she'd como out here. Wherever
she Is sho keeps right away from that
sort of set," ho wound up, moving hit
head toward Elizabeth's friends.
"I wonder if sho Is In Now York.'1
Tnvernnko said, with a strange thrill at
his heart.
Pritchard mado no reply. His eye,
wero fixed upon the llttlo group at the
noxt table. Elizabeth was leaning back
In her chair. Sho seemed to have aban
doned tho conversation. Her eyes wero
nlwnys seeking Tnvernnke's. Pritchard
roso to his feot nbruptty.
"It's time wo wcro in bed," ho de
clnred. "Remember tho meeting tomor
row." Tavernnko roso to his fcect. As they
passed tho next tnblo, Elizabeth leaned
over to him. Her eyes pleaded with his
almost pnsslonately.
"Dear Leonnrd," she whlBpercd, "you;
must you must como nnd see me. I shall
stay In between 4 nnd 8 ovcry ovenlng this
week Tho Dclvcdcre, remember."
"Thank you very much," Tavernnke
nnswered. "I shall not forget.
(CONTINUED TOMORROW.)
Be busy only
one-half of the time,
and rest the rest
of the time.
,i r
BBiZ&r JJ.Jn S2
Don't keep up a hot fire.
Don't use vhot water.
Don't boil the clothes.
Just follow the easy directions.
Something new. Something good.
FeSsSoap Powder.
Something sweet. Something needed.
Ai ' '
1".'A..'
k OT V
lUil aSSSSSSa.. Q
g READING H
nrwT pav
rMitinilNfe
Kfi&rflMCllJ:
K VT a . Mrf .Mi.. . - v; .TV
TI i r m'i'v , 'Ml - i v .-V rlt
jnw.McmcmA :
p 1 ,"i'iMf ft.-fi tr ' JFi rrn-'T"- .- "
M
cuts down your coal bills. No smoke
or dirt or clinkers. Burns slow and
even with intense heat and always
stays hot. The small ash residue is
proof of its economy. Any dealer
will deliver Reading Anthracite.
Mined by
The Philadelphia & Rcadinj
Coal & Iron Company
MMfNKKIt
gw3Sif?rSSSs
The Most Remarkable Photo
of a Battleship
' at Full Speed Ever Taken
The photographer stood in a launch, ENGINE
STOPPED, just 75 feet in front of the onrushing
giant! Then his motor wouldn't crank and he
barely escaped being run down. But he gpt it a
photo of the big super-dreadnought New York-
28,000 tons of steel rushing through the water at
over 26 miles per hour!
Be sure you get this great picture! It's well worth
framing. Printed on the front page of the Intaglio
Section, March 14th issue of the
SUNDAY
UBLIC LEDGER
1NS i
iU i!:ai.t, hrocmstoao f rants
"Then jou will 1 aJo -entirely I
xS-y, , . Trf.