Omaha daily bee., 1922-04-30

alone. 1t was a somewhat famboyant woman
who came to Marie's seat and asked, Have
yea any friends In New York;"
Marie's velvety eyes lost their softness.
She looked the woman up and down. then
turned her back ON her: Marie Angouleme
was not an inexperienced country child.
Two days later at Kent house. on the north
shore Of Long Island, the Dunbarton- Kent
family had just adjourned to the library for
after luncheon coffee. The conversation had
been desultory, which may be the case either
when family group is at ease or at swords
points. Mrs. Dunbartoh Kent had settled her
girth in powerful armchair, and her de-
ceased husbands two nephews and niece, the
children respectively Of his three brothers,
had chosen their positions.
West Dunbarton-Kent was seated In a
rocker and cupped In his hand was his gold
cachou case. Yet West was by no means an
exquisite. Though blonde and regular fea-
tured, only a little over medium height and
gracefully slender, he looked an athletic and
capable young man. He had q clear eye and
a frank and exceedingly charming manner
and, despite his almost naxen fairness, he
was good looking
His expression was pleasant: there was a
laughter loving air about him which the
gravity Of Kent house could not subdue; he
seemed to find amusement even in his after
his-meal cachou, as II good naturedly bent
upon introducing touch Of frivolity to the
ceremontous monotony Of the Kent house
family luncheon.
Breck Dunbarton.Kent, his cousin, who
stood with his back to the mantelpiece and
facing his aunt and cousins, was broader and
taller than West and was as markedly dark
as his cousin West was light. But his fea.
lures were much the same, the straight Dun
barton nose, the same light blue eyes and we'll
chiseled mouth and chin.
1t was his extremely black hair and brows
and lashes and the difference in his express
sion which made him such contrast to his
cousin West. There was shadowed look
about his dark lashed eyes. and his face was
80 immobile as to be remarkable. His was
not exactly a sullen personality, unapproach.
able rather, distinguished but too unsmil.
ing. He was thirty, the same age as West,
and three years older than his cousin Bella.
OF Bella it might be said that one Of the
beautiful long icicles which hung from the
ewes of Kent house had draped itself In artis.
tic garments. had haloed its regular featured
face with corn silk hair and had invaded
the family circle. She was q superbly built
woman, wide shouldered and small hipped,
and with extraordinarily long fair lashes and
surprisingly light blue eyes She sat at a
distance by the widow. but with her back
to the lovely view Of the sound. Her fingers
knitted pale blue sweater for her own
wearing and her cold eyes were on the group
by the fire.
Apparently all was as It should be in
well bred family Of millions and social prom
inence. but there was an onainous undercur-
rent Of which every one present was keenly
aware, even Buckingham Gibbs, the butler.
He had served them in his usual impeccable
fashion. and now was standing aside await.
ing the proper moment for removing the
coffee service. Seemingly he was wrapped in
the contemplation of his Roman nose:
nevertheless he had an exact knowl-
edge Of the attitude and the express.
sion of every one present Then his alert
ear caught the sound of bell and he with.
drew noiselessly.
In q few moments he returned and an.
nounced. There Is young girl to see You. .
madame-for the position Of chauffeur"
Mrs. Dunbarton-Kent held her coffee cup
suspended. "A girl! For chauffeur" She
tipped the scales at three hundred, TALL
big framed woman grow- fat, and her voice
had kept pace with her body, for 1t was an
astonishing baritone and volumed just now
by secret irritation. The entire family looked
at Gibbs as IL he had ruffled frayed nerves.
"Yes madame. She stated she is an &C
complished chauffeur"