Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1926-04-10
HnMnnMINIlnINIIllINIIIINnInEInnnnlMmmmMMHMmTuN

heard car drive up the road and
stop at the gate. She looked out of
her window curiously. then the blood
flew to her cheeks in a rush of Grim.
\ son. John Arnott was getting out
OF the car; he turned to give his
hand to woman in black.
His sister.' Nan told herself.
She rushed to the head OF the
stairs and called to the little maid.
Are you Mary-are you
dressed?"
1t was an enormous relief to get
an answer IN the affirmative: she
whispered instructions over the
balusters.
| Some people are calling--ask
them in the drawing room, and say
I will be down in a minute-oh. and.
Mary-keep the boys out of the way
and. for heavens sake. mind that
the cake doesn't burn-it's in the
oven."
She twisted her hair up anyhow
her hands shook as she fastened her
frock.
II don't know why on earth I'm
so excited" she thought. Her heart
was pounding traitorously as she
| went GOWN the STAIRS.
The drawing room door was closed.
and Nan stood for a moment outside.
! When at last she went into the
room there was q little flush in her
cheeks. but she smiled composedly
enough as she went forward.
Arnott was standing staring ut
picture. He wheeled round as the
door opened. He began clumsy in.
tvCl t.,,s LII
short.
! Il have heard so much OF Miss
Marraby that there isn't any need for
us to be formally introduced. John"
she said. She gave Nan her hand.
my brother has spoken of you so
much. / feel as If know you al
ready" she sold.
You are very kind" Nan said,
but her cheeks felt hot.
| Arnott seemed to read her
| thoughts, for he said suddenly:
"Lyster came along with us. but
he spotted your young brothers on
the road and insisted on getting out
and walking home with them. Miss =
Marraby. Topping little chaps. aren't
they? They wouldn't have much to
say to me. but they were all over
Peter.
| Mans eyes shone.
'Peter was always fond Of chill
dren." she said. unthinkingly.
| Arnott's sister looked up quickly.
| you know Mr.. Lyster well?" she =
asked. in faint surprise.
| ~! Oh. no-at least - Nan
stammered and hesitated: she looked
appealingly at John. :,
| He rushed into the breach.
| Miss Marraby has me. him when
we've been together once or twice.
i he said: that Is all :" He fol.
lowed Nan to the tea.teble. "I say.
let me help" he urged. I'm dab.
ster at pouring out tea and passing
| cups and things"
| Doris Mears watched them silently
across the room: she was a slightly.
built woman. rather below average
height. with extremely smaM hands
and feet Of which she was inordinate.
ly proud. -"
| will Mr.. Lyster be coming along,
then?" Nan asked presently: abe
tried hard to make her question ap-
pear casual, but to the other woman
there was sort of suppressed eager.
ness in her voice.
| "He didn't say" she answered
sweetly. "They all turned Off into
the woods. l shouldn't trouble to
keep any tea for them
Its no trouble" Nan said. THE
boys will be hungry, anyway"
I'm not going to like her." was
the dismayed thought in her heart.
And she isn't going to like me,
either"
She was ashamed of the instinct;
she liked Arnott well enough to wish
to like his sister also.
She took her cup and went over
to sit down beside Doris. II hear you
have little boy" she said. 81 wish
you had brought him with you"
Mrs. Mears laughed. and raised
one small hand deprecatingiy.
Hes q darling. but I'm perfect
wreck after 10 minutes with him. so
always leave him at home. He
loves Peter. too, Miss Marraby-I'm
afraid he gives him an awful time"
Peter likes it," said Arnott; he
| spoke rather indistinctly as his
mouth was full of cake. Peter
hullo here they come. :"
! Go BE COntinuctB