Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-11-25
A Modern Bacchanal

came forward as Mary Devlin, hel
mother and her brother entered the
house that in later years she was
going to love best of all the beau
tiful homes she was destined to see
Come this way, Madame" spoke
the maid.
Mrs. Devlin looked into the maid 8
face and faint smile came about
her mouth as she put her arm over
the girls shoulders and, leaning
heavily, walked through the hall
to the low wing that Malcolm Star
mount had signified was to be set
aside for his unexpected guests.
AS they entered the beautiful sit
ting room an irritable voice was
raised from one of the bedrooms:
''Keep out of here, Kate, 1 am
not dressed yet"
"Mr. Starmount said that this
suite of rooms was to be used for
Mrs. Devlin and her children, Miss
Nalda," the maid respectfully in
formed her.
$50 Nal thinks that he is going
to give my rooms TO that slum fam
ily9 Well, want to tell them one
thing, he will have to arrange others
for me. l will never use them again
after he tires of his slum discovery" +"
Mrs. Devlin sank heavily into a
chair and Mary began to take the
faded shawl from her head as
though she had heard nothing Of the
conversation. Eddie clumped across
from the window from where he
could see the long stretch of golden
sand against which the white-cap-
ped waves were breaking.
ooh, sister, is that the ocean you
told us aboutf Is this Coney Is
landF
"Kate, did I not tell you to keep
out of here" the raucous voice
broke in again. Must come out
there and put those rag-muffins out
myself2 III do it if necessary.
Nal Starmount can't fool me. When
| leave these rooms Of my own ac-
cord it will be time enough for that
gentleman to install that queer as
sortment in them"
The maid went to the bedroom
door from which the voice was COM
ing, disgust upon her face. What
the termagant was saying inside
that other room was too much for
her conventional silence-the silence
of o good serving maid.
"Miss Nadia, you do not know
what you are saying. am only
obeying Mr.. Starmount's orders. You
do not seem to understand that he
is very angry, indeed. 1t he hears
you talking in here this way, he
will, l am sure, come and put you
out himself"
Put me outl What are you talk
ing about, you little upstart! ex-
pect these people are your own kin
and that is why you take their part
50 suddenly. I'll just show him that
still have friends, friends who
will avenge any insults his hirelings
give me.
"Oh, Dickyl Dickyl where are
you9 Come here"
Kate, the maid, hurried Mrs. Dew
lin into one of the other bedrooms
and pushing Mary after her said:
take care of your mother, Miss
Mary, and get her to bed. Your
brother might go out there and sit
N the garden little. I'm going to
,all Mr.. Starmount.
Mary acquiesced somewhat rebel
iously. She undressed her mother
and in spite of her objections put
ler into one of the cool, soft night
iresses that the housekeeper had
provided.
Mrs. Devlin sank back on the piled
up pillows with sigh Of content
Is Nadia Courteney's liquor laden
5oice again rang through the house.
Meantime Starmount had stalked
nto the hall.
There was reeking smell Of to-
,acco, sour wine and whiskey, mix
d with the balmy air that came
through the open doorway at the
'tker end Of the wide hall.
On one side the broad doors that |
'pened up into the dining room
we're pushed back. The table with
n was set with gorgeous silver, lace
nd flowers.
The sideboard and the serving ta-
lie beside it were covered with
mpty bottles, partly filled glasses
fere standing about on chairs and
Yindow seats, while strewn over
be floor were broken bottles and /
lasses.
Much liquor was spilled ov>- thel