Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-12-24
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CHAPTER XIII

1flhI lEh ALlll
The Arrowsmiths, their old neigh
bors in the Coronado Manor, had
moved into their new home during
the summer, just a few streets away.
Byrd and her mother were invited
there to u luncheon bridge.
II want you to meet some Of your
incest neighbors," said Mrs. Arrow
smith, as che introduced Byrd and
her mother around the group.
The color seemed to drain slowly
from Byrd's face, and she stood be
is rooted to the floor. Directly in
front Of her sat Marcy Duncan.
Msrgy's face assumed a strange
expression as she nodded to BYRD
and her mother as IL they were
strangers. Mrs. Hamilton started to
say something, but noticing the ex-
preston on Byrd's face, shut her lips
quickly.
Mrs. Arrowsmith hurried them on.
Byrd was relieved to find that the
luncheon was being served at small
tables scattered throughout the liv-
ing room, sunroom and dining
room, and that she was seated
neither with her mother or Margy.
Sprays of garden flowers In luster
vases, the thinnest china and shining
silver decorated the tables. The anx-
iety Of having the luncheon served
perfectly, kept Mrs. ArrowSmith's
mind occupied with her mattresses,
and Byrd was sure she had noticed
nothing.
The conversation conferred upon
domestic and neighborhood activities.
everything from q raw vegetable diet
for small children, church suppers,
bridge clubs. 70 the inevitable wall
ingy over the mail problem.
Mrs. Arrowsmith shushed them
with . self conscious smile every
time her Agnes came into the
room.
Mrs. Hamilton was in a rarified
Jacksonville atmosphere, and sat
glowing like a tungsteD bulb with
the satisfaction or knowing that
there were solid wives and home
makers still left in the world.
Byrd noticed, with an inner smile.
that she was dispensing recipes to
her table of dignified matrons while
they were writing them down avidly
in their notebooks.
The conversation formed n close
web which seemed TO bind her more
securely in her little prison. She
was miles away from these people.
She had a feeling that Marcy
would soon put the finishing touches
to her character.
While they we're standing around.
waiting for the tables TO be cleared
for bridge, Mrs. Arrowsmith drew
Byrd aside.
There are a few Of US who want
10 form a bridge club she said.
quietly, SO the rest couldn't hear,
land once a month we'll have a din
ner party and bring our husbands.
We would love to have you join"
Byrd was flattered to be asked
into a group who hardly knew her.
And she knew her mother would be
pleased. She probably had heard. for
Shp was standing directly behind
them.
I'D owe to-" said Byrd. sincerely,
"but my husband doesn'. play
bridge"
"we1l teach him." laughed Mrs.
Arrowsmith. "Ive spoken to some
Of the others, and they're staying
aftcrward for a little while 20 ar
range the first luncheon date"
Byrd longed TO ask Mrs. Arrow
smith about Marcy. Were they
friendly, and how long had she
known her. she wondered.
Byrd couldn't concentrate on the
Eame. A pail hung over the room.
She made silly mistakes that aggra-
waited her partners, managing always
to lose the one essential trick TO
making game.
The party was breaking up. Byrd
looked up just in time TO see Mrs.
Arrowsnitk and Marcy in a low ron
versation IN the bedroom, where
they had left their wraps.
Byrd fingered mt the door, hard
ly knowing whether to 90 or stay,
but as her hostess approached her,
Byrd noticed a hish spot Of color on
each cheek. Byrd murmured her
"I've had such a delightful after
noon.D speech and started out the
door with her mother. Mrs. Arrow
smith looked un~rr'-tnfy s~t~r her
but did not detain her.
SIN certainly glad that you've
! met the right hind Of ~neighbort,'