Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1925-05-08

to a pinnacled mountain range. Any
detail was nothing.
"She has come to see my mother"
said Muriel.
so she hast" admitted Mrs. Ben
ham, beaming out through the window.
II might have known who 1t was.
heard II high-powered ear But she
doesn't like to be driven almost into
our dining room, so she stopped on the
| South wing. Let's go into fathers den,
Peter. Bring the cigars in there, Lucy"
No protest appeared possible Mrs
Benham had beamed and nodded, and
the American could not very graciously
say, "Oh, no. l want to stay
He turned once as he left the dining
room. The woman outside was still
waiting at the door for Mrs, Benham to
waddle TO the latch, the waterfall of
light still covering her, still looking in,
apparently at Peter, and with smile
and warmth thrown toward him like
message from her great dark eyes.
He could not wipe away the impress
sion of that look. In it there had been
call, an understanding password,
magic formula. To shake it of he
walked nervously about Sir Austin's
old study, stopping before the photo
|, graphs of members of the house of
commons who had been Benham's
friends, but were like the ends of so
many empty spools to Peters eyes at
this moment. He read an Inscription
on portrait of General Wolseley, he
touched an Ivory idol from Benares.
Let's light the fire." suggested Mu-
riel in a weak and trembling voice.
"All right" said Peter, and struck a
match.
He did not smoke.
why not p asked the girl.
81 have a-headache," he said with
laugh
Come here, then. Lie down on fa-
Tiers sofa. | don't mind. Be comfort
able, Peter
He stretched out upon the springs
bent and sagged by years of pressure
OF the fox-hunting bankers solid
weight, and closed his eyes
Muriel, who had drawn up stool,
sat down upon it, staring into the fire.
light. There in the study behind the
heavy door, which she had closed, the
two seemed suddenly very remote.
Il had wonderful time-this after
noon." she said in a tense and trem-
bling voice which made a struggle to
appear normal.
Good" said DeWolfe.
Her hand moved timidly forth and
her soft fingers touched his forehead,
brushing back the hair.
Peter closed his eyes.
She leaned over quietly and with a
little cry hardly audible pressed her
lips to his.
He knew what had happened-the
real Muriel had come up through layer
on layer of tradition, training pride,
habit. restraint. He only was confused
by his own stupidity in allowing this to
happen.
He sprang up
II never did that before. never
by any one" she said. clenching her
hands.
"Oh, fsay, Pm sorry" he began.
'Sorry" she said
of course" he replied with unnec-
essary GOODNESS 'Of course I'm sorry
I've allowed you to think"
Murieps eyes were wide and blazing.
She threw her clenehed hands apart
until her arms were outstretched to
their utmost. The freight was upon
her face and Peter could see elemen-
tary passions enough upon It,
You needn't say more" she almost
screamed so that suddenly Peter had
great distaste for the exposure of
things he did not know had lived in
her. you needn't say more, because
| know"
Known said Peter in low tone,
as If inviting her to speak more quietly.
'Yes-know. It's her y she said,
pointing toward the wall where the
deer's heads were hung. Il know it's
my brother Eversby. He told you
about her. That's why you came.
That's what you've been thinking
about My brother was fool!''
Peter raised his hand
II kissed you and I'm glad, she
went on furiously. Yes, l am. I'm
glad 1t has brought out the truth.
never did it before. Pm glad The
truth"
Yes said Peter sternIy. ut has
brought out the truth
You came here to see her. | know
guessed. | knew Eversby told you
about her, but you never asked And
l knew why. didn't want to know. /
wanted"
Pm sorry" Peter said again.
The girl came on several PAGES and
leaned forward toward him.
For Gods sake, Peter, !, keep away
from her She might like you. or
course she'd like you. And II she liked
you"
What do you mean?" he said
Il know. / can't tell. It's a matter