Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-03-31
Mrs. Gregory, sitting alone i
BY KATHLEEN NORRIS

Mrs. Gregory, sitting alone in the
heat OF the afternoon. writhed in the
grip OF a definite apprehension. Alb
surd-absurd-to interpret that mar
glances into a declaration Of love, alb
surd to find passion concealed in
Warren's cheerfully hoepitable man
ner. But she could not shake of the
terrified conviction that it was so.
mr.. and Mrs. Theodore Moulton Of
England have rented for the season
the house of Mr.. and Mrs. Clarence
Breckenridge, at Belvedere Bay,
stated the social columns authorita-
lively. "Mr. Breckenridge and Miss
Carol Breckenridge will leave at once
Villalonga, at Elks Leap. where Mrs.
Breckenridge will join them after
spending a. few weeks with friends"
! Rachael saw the notice on the
morning of the last day that she and
Clarence we're together. In the aft
ernoon Billy and Clarence were to
leave for the -nrth. and Rachael was
to go to Florence for a day or two.
She had been unusually indefinite
about her plans for the summer. but
In the general confusion of all plans
this had not been noticed. She had
su%perintended the packing and as
sorting and storing of silver and
linen. as q matter of course, and it
was easy to see that certain things in
d~isputably her own went into certain
crates. Nobody questioned her au-
no attention whatever to the stupid
proceeding of getting the house in
order for tenants.
On this last morning she sat at the
breakfast table studying these two
who had been her companions for
seven years, and who suspected 80
little that this companionship was not
to last for another seven years, fuS an
indefinite :. Billy was in a bad
taking Alfred and the car with them
to the camp. az he had done for the
two previous years. Clarence. sullen
as always under Billy's disapproval,
was pretending to read his paper. He
had a severe headache this morning,
his face looked flushed and swollen.
He was dreading the tw~enty-four
hours in q hot train, even though ting
Bowditchcs. going up in their own
car to their own camp, had offered
1.-THE Breckenridges its comparative
comfort and GOODNESS for the ent1r.
trip.
Makes me so SICK grumbled
Billy. who looked extremely pretty in
a Chinese coat Of. blue and purple
embroideries: every time I want t.
move III have to ask Aunt Vera if
Loads of horses and cars up
there, my dear" Rachael said pacif.
cally. She was quiFcring from head
to foot with excitement: the
next few hours we're all-importAnt to
her. And, under the pressure Of her
own great emotions. Billy seemed
only rather pitiful and young today
l-nI ~~,>n I>~ ~>-.i>.~
|~tyrant, and more a laundering boy
than he had seemed. She bore them
no ili-will after these seven hard
years; indeed a great peace and kind.
illness pervaded her spirit and soften.
ed her manner toward them both
Her marriage had been a great disap.
pointment. composed OF Z. THOUSAND
small disappointunenta. but she Wal
|surprised to find that sone tntaugt.
labout to make this parting strangely
yes but It's not tho aame thing
Billy ragged. Rachael began . low.
voiced reinsurance to which thu
younger woman listened reluctantly
Sowing over her omelette, and IN,
terpostnr an occasional protest:
DO xet tired 81 hsarins you two C
on and on and ont" Clarence prss.
entity burst out aagrtfy. III you DOM
want to 60. Billy, say %. I'm sick OF
the whole thing, anyway"
You know very well I never want.
ed to 60" Billy answered. And b.
cause, being now committed to thu
Villalonga visit, she ~perversely dread
I'd 1t, she pursued agsrievedly, "I'd
ever SO much rather have gone "a
ICalifornia. Dad!"
How sur the youngster was Of. hes
Ipower. Rachael thought, watchina
him instantly soften under his daugh.
tors akilful touch.
'For i've cents" he said eagerly
I'D wire Vera. and you and I'd beai
lit to Santa Barbara! What do you
say?"
"And IL Rachael promised to 81
lawfully GOOD, chs could coMs. toes
,tDiIly lsushed, but the s4Efs ~
i patHoaAGN WaA an4YaY aGa4RIfa h Il