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


studying French and music, and She
well, she has way of keeping silent
that makes other women seem like
chatter-boxesp
at must be lots Of fun to play her
game" Gibbs said musingly. Watch
ing every chance, studying the Social
Register as If it weres her catechism,
picking up bridge and French and mu-
sic! / wonder If my father sees
through it?"
'It wouldn't be worth while to me,
not If was left million dollars"
Ellen contributed. There's too much
that's uncomfortable about 1t. And If
had daughters, l wouldn't want them
to think that only money counted. l
don't mean that l could do 1t, even II
I did want to r. she said hastily.
| There's nothing in 1t for the people
who chase 1t all their lives" Gibbs OBJ
served. sand the real people-the
ones who are born to it, don't know
they have it-so there you arel You
can't buy anything real with money,
as I see you suspect. Well, now I've
talked you to death about me, and told
you my maiden name and everything,
and it's your turn. You didn't drop
out of the sky, suppose, just to give
me an excuse to blow off steam? You
| live i'm"
"Port Washington, Long Island. Age,
Twenty-Five" Ellen said demurely. She
told him about her grandfather, and
Joe, and her work at the Art league.
1t pleased her to be able to paint Mrs.
Rose in the colors of generous bene-
factress, to show him what a differ
ence the friendship of the kindly old
meddler had made in her life. She
said that she lived in an old-fashioned
village house, and that Aunt Elsie was
considered the best housekeeper in the
village, and that her tomatoes and
Ellen's dahlias had twice taken prizes
at the Mineola fair.
You sound quaint" said Gibbs,
'and as If you might have a melodeon
In the parlor."
eve havew Ellen said, dimpling
and widening her eyes as she smiled
at him.
After that they ran on for while in
contented silence until he stopped the
car at one side of the road, and took
off his glasses. Ellen took her own
off, too, and looked at him In some
surprise, as they blinked at each other
in the strong light
"We are now forty miles from Co
lumbus Circle, and it Is one O'clock"
said Gibbs. How do you feel about
luncheon? A place called 'Adrian's' is
about three miles from here, and 1 am
frail young thing, and i've not had
any breakfast"
The conventional aspect of the af-
fair struck Ellen for the first time.
She looked at him gravely, and her
ready color crept up. She did not
know him, her chaperon was even I'M
aware that she was in his care. Men
loved to get foolish girls into strange
places, Aunt Elsie said, and girl
never made a. mistake in refusing
when she was In doubt.
Gibbs was smiling at her obvious
hesitation.
"You know you're safe with me,
Riddle, don't your he asked 'You
know 1 wouldn't take you anywhere
that wouldn't take my motherY'
That settled it. Ellen had not been
born yesterday, after all. She had her
own stern girlish standard of judg-
ment, and she knew she was safe. The
luncheon was a perfectly natural part
Of the trip; they were both hungry.
And he had not had any breakfast
She made him an answer that
pleased him deeply, although he APP
parently conceded it nothing but a
satisfied nod, and Immediately hid his
eyes under the glasses again.
IF you say it's all right, know 1t
musl be-"
So they went to "Adrian's," a big,
shabby hosiery set upon a rise of
ground, and provided with wide veran-
das for the summer crowds; verandas
deserted now under their bare awning
frames.
The meal came, hot and odorous and
appetizing, and they talked while they
ate. Gibbs told her of his first &C
quaintance with Mrs. Rose.
Il was small kid of ten or twelve,
in Rome. do yon see? And she was
there with, her first husband, Torrey.
My mother was kind to her, we were
at the same hotel, and she was awful
ly kind to me. She had brother with
her, about my age, and we saw good
deal of each other. Later, when she
was widow, she turned up in Paris
with the two children. My mother and
father were staying there for while,
before leaving me there to study. And
later, she came here, and married
Rose, who is darn nice fellow. and
now of course she regards me as
member of her family"
"She went to school In Boston with
my mother" Ellen said. But never
saw her until few years ago. Now