Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1924-10-31

fhe Piaza--MrS. wallace. Tour Iatner
begged off. but she says she has to
co." Ellen reminded him.
'Oh, so she Is And she stays over
night, doesn't she? Well. if dad doesn't
need the car, may keep Torrens in.
then, and drive out after the dinner.
could just as well stay at the studio:
I have to be in town tomorrow-but
we'll see. Don't worry If I'm not here.
Come on, Tom, we're all readyi"
Ellen followed them downstairs, her
heart dark with suspicious well in
keeping with the foreboding sky and
the cold dull air. When the plans
for the day we're discussed at the
breakfast table, she listened, her
tragic gaze moving from her husbands
face to Lillian's serene face.
Il wish could go into town when
you do, Gibbs" Lillian said indiffer-
entity, giving Tommy the cherry from
her grapefruit, but I'm not going until
late, and I'm furious at having 10 go
at all I hate the Wallaces, I'm wor-
ried about your fathers cold, and alto
gether my dolly Is stuffed with saw
dust r.
81 suppose we couldn't be rude to
them againY" the old man said,
doubtfully.
II suppose we couldn't !" she an
swered, smiling. mo. and wouldn't
have you go in with that cold, either
I'll go In about five and stay at the
Plaza, and have really nice time. so
don't give 1t another thought! You
have to go this morning, Gibbs?"
Now" he answered, rising. I'm
painting lovely society lady, weight
three hundred, and a mustachew
Tommy laughed gaily. danced with
his father to the door, and watched
until the roadster disappeared down
the drive
The day wore on. At eleven o'clock
LILLIAN, whose woman was shampoo
ing her hair, wandered, with all Its
glory spread loose over her shoulders,
to Ellen's door.
"Snow, Ellen !"
Ellen had been writing, but had
stopped, and was staring blindly ahead
OF her through tear-filmed eyes. She
WAS glad she did not have to face
Lillian as she looked out Of the
window.
$50 it isw she managed to say
huslSily.
Lillian wandered on. stood in the
Bathroom door, where Lizzie was
working mittens and warm wooden
wraps upon the excited Tommy. When
she turned back into Ellen's room the
younger woman had entirely recovered
her self-control
While they lunched, snowfiakes fiht-
A wind began to whistle about the
corners of the house. Outside there
was great emptiness. an appalling
silence. Ellen forced herself to settle
down with her father-in-law in the
study after lunch; the old man
seemed supremely happy as she
opened "Jean Christophe." He was es-
tablished in his great chair by the fire.
with plaid over his knees, and in
terrupted the reading now and then to
congratulate himself upon having es-
capped the necessity Of going out that
night. But Lillian seemed as restless
and nervous as Ellen did.
At four o'clock she came in to say
goodby, exquisite in her furs. and
Ellen suddenly decided to try to walk
herself into better frame of mind. She
saw Torrens walking about the big
car. as she went down the drive, and
presently 1t passed her and she waved
to Lillian in farewell.
1t was bitterly cold, and a strong
wind was blowing. The snow fell fit
fully; the storm was coming, but 1t
was not yet fairly under way Ellen,
usually normal and sensible enough,
felt a sense Of impending horror clPse
upon her. She did not want to go
back to that dreadful house, where
scifishness, and deceit, and cruelty
Aourished.
But she did go back. and sent her
wet shoes downstairs by Keno. and
slowly got herself into something
warm. She went to the study. where
Just before dinner Josselyn. Senior,
now with underlined nervousness, her
hands we're Icy cold, her face burned
and when one of the maids dropped a
spoon at dinner she gave sharp little
cry. She and her father-in-law were
alone at the stately meal.
Here comes the storml" he said
pleasantly. as wild assault of wind
drove violently against the windows.
"Oh. wish Gibbs were here!" Ellen
exclaimed. with suddenly watering
eyes. "Here-or that | were any
where in the world. with himy her
heart added.
And tonight where was he, while she
went silently and heavy-hearted about
this house of shadows and menaces?
The thought tormented her like gnaw-
Ing pain. Where was he? Who was
enjoying the smile she loved so well,