New Britain herald., 1927-04-09

/ Her forehead and palms were
clammy with an icy sweat. Then:
Diana Brooks speaking"
Hello, Miss Brooks?"
Yes, yes" impatiently. She
I heard the man across the wire
clear his throat.
"Gomot's Inn clerk this is, Your
cousin. ] understand, Miss Man:cll
she sprain her anklc-ask me to
call you-says for you TO come out
right away-eet her"
".,n right" cut in Diana quickly.
"Gouno''s is on the Canal road.
isn't it?'
yes, that's risht--bout II miles
out FIN city limits. Youn see
signs along tn road for turns
and
AN right. I'll start Immediately,
Tell her. please interrupted Diana
again. ard hung up the receiver.
She stopped long enough to battle
her face with cold water. Her
father had taken the sedan and
Lola had the runabout. There was
a flivver touring car in the garage
for the servants use. She took it.
Diana was grateful for this COM
pulsory call for action. The swift
drive across town and over to the
other end dispelled some OF the
disagreeable effects of the dream
she had Just endured. It would
hade been better had she gone
with Lola. She reached the city
limits of the west side in less than
an hour.
GOUNOT'S INN - the sign board
pointed east. Diana knew of the
place by reputation. a rendezvous
for the fast set. But she had
never been there. She had heard
Numerous young bloods whisper of
the Bacchauales that were often
held there; that 1t was meeting
place for both ladies and demi-
mondaincs, Of FOUNDERS and gentle
men. The ladies and gentlemen,
of course. patronized it for the sake
OF a, thrill, as visitors. An occa-
sional outing at Gounots was
popular pastime with some Of her
own set.
Excluding the oft-quoted refer
ence to it as being a shady half
way house, Gounot's Inn was eX-
elusive aud popular The service
was excellent. the food deliciously
prepared. And Gounot boosted the
finest colored jazz orchestra in the
county.
How in the world did Lola ever
come to land here. I wonder''
Diana asked herself as she drew
up before a massive archNay
which blatantly displayed an elab-
crate electric sign. "GOCNOT'S
INN"
The inn undoubtedly intrigued in
torest and its appearance admlra-
ton. Set far back from the road
lis brown stucco front reared three
stories high like a splendid castle.
No pains or money had been
spared apparently on its lavishncss.
Externally. at least, its luxurious
ness was refined and in good
taste. The building on either side
was flarlied by extensive gardens,
well kept and profuse with flowers
and foliage. Tiny lanes hordered
the beds Of select delicate rose
bushes and here and there rose
vine colored cupolas.
Gounot's Inn. thought Dana, as
she made a cursory survey OF 1t,
was impressive because Of its isola-
ton. Although 1t was on a main
road. the territory around 1t was
sparsely inhabited. The nearest
sign of life, about a quarter Of a
mile away. was farm house.
Diana decided TO park her fliv-
Yer on the driveway near sid"
entrance. She looked around Tor
the runabout Lola had taken and
was slightly surprised that ii
wasn't among the several other
autos parked olong there.
The inside of the place, as Diana
stepped into it, was faithful to the
promise of It's external appearance.
4 wide staircase wound lis way
upward. To her right she Glimpsca
the now mute orchestra platform
at its far end.
Gounot's did some business in
the daytime. but it was at NIGHT
that illusion, gaiety and abandon
we're Haunted there.
An olive complexioned Young
mamie might have been French
or Italan-bowed deliberately as
Diana entered the office. He raised
one eyebrow by way Of irterroga-
ton.
Il understand that Miss Mantell,
my cousin, WAS brought in here
With q sprained ankle she OK
planned.
"Ah. ycs' So! And you ara