Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1924-10-17

man said Lillian smiled at him af-
fectionately for her only answer. Ellen
felt that she never appreciated the
safety and the power of silence.
"You had no trouble getting hold Of
the carr? Josselyn, Senior, pursued
suddenly.
mo" Again she glanced at Gibbs,
again was silent. Gibbs was the next
speaker, with cheerful and general
inquiry:
who's doing what this afternoon?
The studio was formally opened in
September, with tea. The artists
pretty, blue-eyed little wife was pres
ent on this occasion, suitably, nay,
charmingly, dressed, chatting with
neglected, guests, keeping watchful
eye upon tea-cups, playing her part
well. His father was also there,
handsome and dignified figure, erect.
white-haired, obviously full of pride
in his son. And the little, dark-haired
boy was there, for few minutes,
keeping close to the musicians, anus
Ing tuC ldQlCS Will lis pACLby AOAAShs
But 1t was his beautiful young step
mother who shared with Gibbs JOS
selyn the interest of his guests, who
was with him the romantic and fas-
cfnating center of attraction. Lillian
was at her loveliest, radiant and
smiling, the mysterious and astonish-
ing perfection of her face enhanced
by the Juliet-like little cap of pearls
that held her glorious hair in place,
and by the rich colors of her gown.
She wore a marvellous garment of old
brocade, in which fruity colors were
mingled with gold and silver threads,
and from her shoulders hlmy black
overgarment fioated loose, caught with
a bracelet of pearls at either wrist,
and weighted loosely at Its hem by
duh embroideries in pearls. Lillian
said that she had had this robe for
years without an opportunity to wear
1t; this was her opportunity, and she
made the most of it. Anything more
lovely than the picture she made in
1t, even heartsick Ellen had to admit
she could not imagine.
Wherever Lillian moved, the crowd
swayed with her, and in it was always
the silver head, and the tall, trinity
built figure of the hero of the hour.
Her rich, amused voice, with its I'M
dercurrents of mystery, of suggestion.
was the foundation of the converse
ton. And when she turned to Gibbs,
as she was constantly turning and
asked him simple question and re-
ceived his answering monosyllable, it
would have been an obtuse observer
indeed who did not instantly perceive
the thrilling current of awakening
passion that ran between the two. His
lightest word to her was fraught with
it, his most fleeing glance betrayed
1t. At the end of the long three hours,
when the guests had fingered out,
one by one, and she stood by the fire.
place, tired, dropping, superb, barely
raising her eyes as she spoke to him,
they might have been alone in the
world. What did he say as he bent
toward her, what did his smiling eyes
say?
Ellen did not know, or care. The
words were nothing, the look was
nothing, 1t was tie trembling inten-
sity with which they charged them
that ate into her soul like acid upon
plate. None Of them was sane now,
Ellen perhaps the least of the three.
She was burning with an agony of
jealousy and doubt and anger far
more painful than any actual fire
would have been. She was conscious
of Gibbs and Lillian every instant of
the day.
They were not often alone together,
after all. A moment in the long draw
Ing room, before dinner, a few SEN
fences murmured In her ear as Gibbs
crossed the tennis court at Lilllan's
side. perhaps stolen tea-hour once a
week in the city; this was the most.
Even for this there must be endless
contriving and tireless intrigue. Ellen
could not tell what was suspicion,
what fact, what was mere innocent
chance, and what was deliberate ar
rangement.
watching. forlorn and lonely, she
longed to tear aside the veil Of kind
ness and happiness In which her life
was wrapped. and fling herself sob
bling upon her husband.
Gibbs, Gibbs, my darling! How
much of 1t is true-how much Of 1t is
my wretched Imagination Have you
let yourself come to care for her
have you forgotten me? am your
life-I am your past and present.
alonel Let us leave all this behind
us and go somewhere where we may
be poor again, and you shall paint, and
I will mend and cook. and all the old
Joy will come back to us again."
She dared not say 1t. What woman
ever did dare? She had lost so much,
she dared not risk more. Ellen never
had had much self-confidence. she
lost it all now. She became afraid.
Lillian could take Gibbs love away