New Britain herald., 1927-07-05
0adge Keeps Phillip veritzen's
 Curiosity at High Point

Mr. Veritzen laughed with appar- outly unconcerned gayety at Lillian's gibe that he was as curious as she concerning my queer new neighbors. the tenants of The Larches. But there was { note in the laughter which struck response in the in-
 tuition which is generally counted . feminine prerogative. It told me that while Lillian's curiosity con- cerning the Lincolns was an ephem-
 eral thing, having its origin in her admiration of The Larches. and her fantastic wish to own it. Phillip Eeritzen's interest lay deeper.
 That inwardly he was quite ex- cited about the account of my new neighbors he had asked me to give was quite sure. Whether his inter est was rooted in his knowledge that he was of Transvanian birth him. self-something that he patently did not intend to reveal to us-or whether 1t lay in something else, l could not tell, but 1 had an odd lit- tie conviction that he expected some definite bit of information from the story l was about to tell.
 Another conviction came to me, that must tell this story more care- fully than if it were the casual de- scription of the new tenants of The Larches of which Lillian had asked. I must be careful to be accurate, to exaggerate nothing. On the other hand. I must not slur any part of my tale, Just why l felt this. I could not tell but certain little intuitive warning bell was sounding deep in my consciousness. It is warning many odd. almost eerie happenings have trained e always to heed, and I realized that I could not give this account of our experiences with our new neighbors until I had more time to marshal the incidents of the story in my mind. and be very sure that I had committed nothing.
 With the resolution to put off the telling of the tale until I had had time to refresh my memory" in lawyers parlance, l looked over at Lillian QulZZlCdIly.
 Your attack of curiosity won't prove fatal if unappeased for two or three hours more, will it?" I asked, at the same time giving her 9 much-used tiny private signal of our own which meant delay the game" She played up to my cue omptly
 Just so ] get the low down on it all. finally. I don't mind waiting a bit" she said.
 turned to Phillip Veritzen with q deprecatory little smile.
 '1t has been so long since I have | 10 waste time talking. Don't you think the story of my new neighbors would make a good dinner table talk?"
 Over his face flashed a look of | courteous concern.
 "Oh. I'm orry we've spoiled your enjoyment of the view" he said.
 You haven't" assured him ! earnestly. I've been rude enough | to keep my eyes fixed on the coun- tryside most of the time. But I i know l can't tell this story and look at the hills too. It's too long and they're too entrancing."
 ''Then we'll have it as a condiment for the dinner he said. Which re- minds me-"
 He took the speaking tube down with an excuse to us and spoke into It
 At the next convenient place for Otto. draw up the car [ want to send message.
 The man did not turn his eyes lway from the road ahead. but his right hand went up in swift. smart salute, and at the next village he drew up the car before well-ap- i pointed drug store with telephone Iign booth prominently displayed. 1
 May get either of you an ice pr soda?" our host asked as he descended from the car. II am going to order our dinner to be ready for serving in an hour from now That leaves time for the changing of a tire. There is no other probable delay"
 Are you asking us to spoil one of your dinners with soda. Phil Verit- zen" Lillian demanded. we haven't taken leave of our senses if you have"
 He laughed and walked into the drug store. As the door closed be- hind him. Lillian cast cautious glance at Otto's back.