Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-05-22
CHAPTER LXXXIV.


ner on the train, then, as we were all
pretty well tired out, we went to bed
IN train reached Moreland early in the
MOI nIng, but l was awake long before
i. was time to get up. l lay thinking
OF David-how | should miss him: It
had bcCn perfect joy to have him, in
spite of my fear that he would feel that
was neglected and would tell mother
so,
] We ha0 breakfast at home. Then, as
socn as George had left for the office
David and walked over to see Evelyn
She made US tell her all about our trip
aud YVES G:lighted with the handker-
chiefs had brought her.
I suppose you viii be going away
soont" she said TO me.
cS, in about ten days. dread it,
Isn't he foolish?" Evelyn said to
David. 1.-The idea of dreading trip to
Newport and Bar Harbor."
l, too, think your trip will be a nice
one-your vacation, rather" David re.
Sponded, "It will be awfully Jolly to
beat and fish. +"
"The boys are great for out doors"
TNtold her.
Have you seen Merton, lately ?"l
she asked me. 81 met him about three
days ago, and he sand he was incopsol-
able because you had gone to New York
He is anxious to work on the picture. "
g have a sitting today. Don't you
and David want to walk up there with
me and see how the plerore rs getting
along? IL telephone Celeste she needn t |
90 with ME today, if you will"
''I'd love tol Perhaps Merton will
ask us to luncheon again. Have you met |
him. - she asked David
David Is Frank.
Yes, the first night l came. He
seems to like Sis He said lot about
mel picture and sort of Dragged about
her."
"You silly boy,'' I interrupted, en- /
barrassed.
Merton does like Helen. We all do"
EYclyn said
Stop talking about me and come on
Merton will be cross if l am late". SO,
talking and laughing, we all three went
to the studio,
DO you suppose YOU can keep quiet
with so many looking at you!" Merton
asked, after he had greeted us, and
scolded me bit for running away.
''Oh, yes, | don't mind David, nor
kvelyn, half as much as | do you" I
confessed, then blushed furiously be-
cause | had said it.
81 have missed
YOU" he said so low the others did not
hear.
L took the pose he suggested, my mind
in whirl. Why was so pleased that
he, Merton Gray, successful artist and
opular man about town, should miss
mei l concluded it was because he had
teen the first, almost the only man, who
Lad made me feel at ease when I first
came to MoBeland.
David and Evelyn sat in the blow win
dow looking at book of etchings. The
studio was very quiet when Robert, Mer-
ton S man, came in and spoke quietly
TO him. Merton frowned, but nodded as
sent. In moment there was soft rap,
swish of skirts, and in came Madge
Loring and Julia Collins.
The draperies at the window effect.
uahy hid David and Evelyn. l saw Mrs.
COnins look around, then saw sneer-
ins look, followed by one | could not
Understand. 1t was as if she were pleas
ed at something.
Jumping at Conclusions.
~ see you we dispensed with Celeste
| don t blame you," she said. "It is
much more eozy, here, by yourselves.
Then, French maids aren t to be trust,
ed."
"What do you meant" 1 said quick
ly, my face flushing, my heart thump-
ing so it seemed they must hear it.
"Oh, don t get excited 1 only meant
that even innocent things took on an
air of romance to the French servant"
Suddenly l was very cool. | shook
my head at Merton. He had been about
to speak, to explain. knew that was in
his mind, by the way he glanced toward
the window.
"les, | think you are right said
tHlly, remembering now pleased Mrs
Sexton had been when had come out
ahead OF Julia Collins once before, by
keeping cool. And YOU, surely, should
know; Celeste told me she had a friend
who worked for you as private maid
Aud, you know, French maids talk to
each other.
Merton turned away to hide the smile
trembling on his lips, and Mrs. Loring
broke in:
"What are you two scrapping
abautt | can fairly see your claws Ju.
lia.
Oh, pardon mel exclaimed, "'but
| SO want you to meet my brother. Da.
,id, l called. "Come and meet some
o. Neorse 5 friends. My brother, DAVID
M,lner, MIs. Collins, and Mrs. Loring"
| purposoiy spoke of him first, instead
Of following the correct manner of pre-
And Evelyn, came out from
behind those eurtains You know both
ladies. If we had French maid here
she wpad say III yoL and David had
some sort OF an affair, / am surel
WeHldG i; she, Mrs. Collinsl"
so.arrraS Airs. Collins Attempts a
kepllsali.