Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1921-06-16
BY IRWIN MYERS NRAl
CHAPTER SEVEN-continued.

"My Cod" she exclaimed. "What
a nasty liar you are! !"
1t was not ladylike but, at that
moment the lady was temporarily
absent.
Mother, Pm glad you say that"
the girl answered still very calmly,
although her fingers trembed little
as she felt the violets, and her voice
was not quite steady. at shows that
l am not so stupid at home as l am
at school,"
The girl rose and threw down the
violets and her mild and listless man.
ner. A look of defiance filled her
face and her figure. Mrs. Bing arose,
her eyes aglow with anger.
I'D like to know what you mean,"
she. said under her breath.
Il mean that if | am a liar, you
taught me how to be it. Ever since
l was knee-high, you have been teach
Ing me to deceive my father. l am
not going to do 1t any longer. l am
going to find my father and tell him
the truth. l shall not wait another
minute. He will give me better ad-
vice than you have given, hope"
The words had fallen rapidly from
her lips and, as the last one was
spoken, she hurried out of the room.
Mrs. Bling threw herself on the couch
where she lay with certain bitter
memories, until the new maid came
to tell her that 1t was time to dress.
She was like oae reminded of NOR
tally after coming out of ether.
"Oh, Lord" she murmured YEARLY.
81 feel like going to bed! How can l
live through that dinner? Please
bring me some brandy"
Phyllis learned that her father was
at his office, whittier she proceeded
without a moments delay. She sent
In word that she must see him alone
and as soon as possible. He dismissed
the men with whom he had been talk
ing and invited her into his private
office.
"Well, girl, guess l know what is
on your mind" he said. Go ahead"
Phyllis began to cry.
"All right! You do the crying
and I'll do the talking" he went on.
81 feel like doing the crying myself,
but If you want the job, I'll resign
1t to you. Perhaps you can do enough
of that for both of us. l began to
smell rat the other day. SO l sent
for Gordon King. He came this morn
ing. | had long talk with him. He
told me the truth. Why didn't you tell
me? What's the good of having father
unless you use him at times when
his counsel Is likely to be worth hav-
ing? l would have made a good
father, if l had had half a chance.
should like to have been your friend
and contidant in this important en-
terprise. l should have been a help
to you. But, somehow, | couldn't get
on the board Of directors. You and
your mother have been running the
plant all by yourselves and l guess
it's pretty near bankrupt. Now, my
girl, there's no use crying over split
tears. Gordon King is not the man
of my choice, but we must all take
hold and try to build him up. Per-
haps we can make him pay"
Il do not love him." Phyllis Sob
bed.
You married him because you
wanted to. You were not coerced?"
mo, sir"
I'm sorry but you'll have to take
your share Of the crow with the rest
of u.s." he went on, with note of
sternness in his tone. my girl, when
l make a contract l live up to it
and | intend that you shall do the
same. You'll have to learn to love
and cherish this fellow, If he makes
it possible. You and your mother
believe in woman's rights. l don't
object to that, but you mustn't think
that you have the right to break your
agreements unless there's a good rea-
son for it, My girl, the marriage con-
tract Is the most binding and sacred
of all contracts. | want you to do
your best to make this one a success II
There was the tinkle of the tele-
phone bell, Mr.. Bling put the re-
ceiver to his ear and spoke into the
instrument as follows:
"Yes, she's here! l knew all the
facts before she told me. Mr.. De,
lane? He's on his way back to New
York. Left on the six-ten. Charged
me to present his regrets and fare
wells to you and Phyllis. l thought
1t best for him to know and to go
Yes, we're coming right home to dress
Mr.. King will take Mr.. Delane's place
at the table. Wen make a clean
breast of the whole business. Brace
up and eat your crow with smiling
face. I'll make little speech anC
present Mr.. and Mrs. King to oui
friends at the end Of it. Oh, now
cut out the sobbing and leave this un
finished business to me and don't
worry. Wen be home in three min
utes"