Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1924-09-05
JOSSELYN'S WIFE

Goodbyl"
ooh, now, / don't like this one bit !"
Mrs Rose continued to protest, but she
kissed Ellen goodby none the less, and
her husband ran with the two young
persons down the steps, tucked Ellen's
bag into the back Of the car, and
forced her to slip into his big fur coat
for the two-mile trip.
Leave it In the Office some day,
Gibbs" he said. you can make it,
guess Goodby, Miss Awfully sorry.
old boy, but such things will occur.
Abby's all upset about it, / know"
Young Josselyn put Ellen into the
car, and tucked the heavy robe snugly
about her. In another ten seconds he
had sprung into his own seat and
waved goodby to the watching Roses.
The roaring Of the car drowned out all
farewells.
A day or two ago Ellen might have
felt it her place to keep the conversa-
ton moving But the last forty-eight
hours had been full of painful lessons
for her; she knew better now than to
attempt any friendly overtures. Boys
younger than she had snubbed her,
girls of seventeen had looked upon her
askance. So she kept absolutely silent,
her bright eyes moving between the fur
of her hat and the fur of her collar
like those of timid but interested
bird.
AS the car was brought neatly
against the station platform she began
to free herself from her wrappings,
and said politely:
I'm a thousand times obliged to
you, Mr. JosselynP
II don't know whether you are or
not" he said, narrowing his eyes at
her quizzically. Il think we've missed
IT,"
Missed 1t Oh, goodnessl" Ellen
echoed in dismay.
"Stay where you are" he said, jump
ing from his seat. "I'll find out"
He crossed the station platform and
disappeared, and Ellen sat in a panic,
waiting for him. Oh, she couldn't go
back to that house, and have the whole
thing begin over again
Eyes, maam, we've missed It," said
Gibbs Josselyn, coming back, and lean
ing against the car with sympathetic
eyes on her face. "Was 1t pretty i'm
portant, or what? The next is at one
twenty-five"
tits not so important" Ellen said,
in troubled voice. "But don't like
to go back-Ill wait here"
"What-until after one o'clockw
Eyes, think So" Ellen answered
firmly. I'll don't know them very
WE'LL" she went on confusedly. and
and think rather worry Mrs. Rose,
not getting on exactly with the Others"
She stopped, conscious that this expla-
nation was rather lame, and added
finally: you see, they all know each
other so well, and they don't know
mel"
81 see perfectly" Gibbs said pleas
antly. you would be safer In band
Of Hottentots p
Ellen laughed. Her white night had
only added touch of mystery, of spir-
ituality, to her Irish beauty after all,
and the drive, after her breakfast, had
brought back her wild-rose color. The
man looked at her as If he saw her for
the first time, looked down at his big
fur glove, plunged his hand suddenly
into it, and asked carelessly:
You couldn't make the run with me.
l suppose? I'm going straight down to
my club. 1t won't take us more than
a couple of hours"
The girls blue eyes danced. The
thought of refusal never entered her
head.
"Oh, I'd love itT she answered hap
PLY.
"Good grill" he said. He walked
about his car, cycling 1t from all sides,
opened the engine-hood and made a
few mysterious Investigations, got back
in his place, and they were off. Her
companion, who was wearing dark
goggles, turned to Ellen and dropped
another pair Of glasses In her lap. with
the four brief words: Better put them
on" Ellen obediently snapped them
against her soft hair. Not another
word was spoken for three miles.
Ellen was entirely conscious that the
man beside her was gradually work
ing off his irritation and anger.
After awhile he glanced at her,
smiled sudden and perfunctory
smile, and said:
I'm pleasant company for you
what? Have you minded my chatter?"
Ellen laughed, in some embarrassment.
81 didn't mind-not talking" she
said, shyly.
''You--what I" he asked in so loud
voice that she felt rather frightened
''You didn't mind? Well, that's so
much gained, anyway" He drove on
for minute or two, and then asked
abruptly: Miss Latimer, how much
of that did you get?'
Ellen was not quite sure she under