The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1926-10-12

contempt of the inquiry TEA Wsch
Billy tipped his answer.
Now l desire to zee yn,, ord your
sister in the library" :,: said. and
led the way.
Constance s1his.erca TO her
brother. motioned hiH Il follow the
efficiency man. and t''.'n hurried mp
stairs TO the telephone n her boud.
DIR.
Mr. Hedge displayed q surprising
amount of patience when. after ton
minutes, Constance had 1ct plaC.
her appearance in the library. IT he
felt any annoyance he concealed it.
He devoted the interval to the TcrN
Of examining a pile of papers ca TIE
center.tabe Billy Brooke had set.
, tied back in a great leather chair
and was smoking pipe. There VAS
a elimmcr of amusement in his eyes.
Presently Hedge looked across OF
him.
Perhaps your sister has. forgot
ten wished to see her" he re.
marked
oh. l guess not" yawned Belly.
She'll come when she gets ready.
Anu tlieu you IL get yours
Constance arrived soon and her
brother GLANCED up expec.antly. Tie
was not heartencd by thu look that
he found in her eyes. They were
bright. but troubled. Her cheeks
were far redder than they had hc.,n
, fifteen minutes earlier. She spread
her hands in helpless gesture and
nodded her head slowly.
It's true. Billy she half whs,
pered.
NO"
Yes. Billy. true"
You're sure. Connie No way
out?"
The unmistakablc anxiety In
Rilly's voice attracted the attention.
of Hedge. who STUDIED the brother
and sister with plain interest They
seemed for the moment 10 he obliei
Gus of his presence.
No way in sight" :
who did you phone tor"
The Efficiency Company. first
said Constance. They confirmed
it, Then to fathers office. They
said he'd gone away and didn't know
where, or if they do know they won't
tell. which is just as bad.
TRY the lawyers"
Constance nodded They know
hat a man was to be sent hire. she
said wea rily. and say that father
ordered it, And they said they wou q
only communicate with him in a
matter of life nr death. Those are
his orders too"
Eilly Brooke aroaned
But Connie--whht the hlazos arr
we going to dO?'
At this point the efficiency man
made entrance into the conversation.
You'll do as your father wishes.
of course" he said. ITS the only
| thing YOU can do It's the only
sensible thing to do. These are his
orders. that's all Thank YOU. Miss
| Brooke. for having satisfied yourself
and your brother that | am possessed
Of full authority. Now. we'll talk
| business
Billy looked doubtfuly to his sister.
| She met the situation by sitting
down and waiting for Hedge to be.
gin.
And speaking of business. oh
| served Hedge. turning steady gaze
| upon Billy. whats youfs?
"Aiinc?"
! "CertainIv. When do you go I"
| work. and where
| Il don't go drawled Bi'iy.
us il 4 fact that this grown man
does not work." demanded Hedge.
| his question addressed to TIL; girl.
| For the first time since his entrance
| into the house the efficiency maa
| showed symptoms of emotion.
| Constance was silent for an IN
slant. In nearly all things she W=s
Ia stanch champion Of her brother.
| In this she was not. She Was Ent
proud of him rs an itller.
I My brother does rot WORK." she
answered in a low voice.
! How old are you?" asked Hedge.
| turning again TO Eilly.
| TWENTY-FIVE. if that's any sosis.
| faction to you
| Einy's attempt to display tnaif'
| ference WAS poorly executed.
"Sick?"
| DO look it o.
| lie did not look sick He was very
hcaIthy-and very uncomfortable.
NEXT CHAPTER, Hedge iniss<s
| luncheon.