The Washington times., 1931-02-20
CHAPTER 7

Wn6n his lIlpdSSlNC bdNh AAdo
vanished, Mrs. Lorrimer relaxed
in her chair, and, picking up a
silver box from her desk, offer
ed Mary Lou a cigarette. Mary
Lou feeling very young and un-
sophisticated, shook her head
smilingly.
81 don't smoke" she said,
"I'm sorry"
"Why on earth should you
be sorry?" asked Mrs. Lorrimer,
astonlshed, lighting cigarette
for herself and inserting 1t
into a long black holder banded
with tiny diamonds. You're
very lucky. 1 wish I didn't.
Well at your age, didn't
either. How old are you, by
the way?" she asked, smiling.
Twenty" Mary Lou replied.
Really? 1 thought you were
about 18. Do take off your hat
and be more comfortable. Oh,
what perfectly gorgeous hair!"
Mary Lou flushed little,
iuSt a trifle indignant at the
eighteen" appraisal, but sooth-
ed by the pleasant flattery.
"This is the loveliest room I've
ever seen," she commented hap,
PLY.
s"Do you like it? I'm so glad.
I; did over the whole house
few years ago, with decorators
help. in details, of course, but
I really left very little to
them; you see, I've always loved
doing houses and a just plain
decorated house always looks
it to me-" Mrs. Lorrimer told
her.
She talked little about
Westmill, switched the conver-
sation cleverly to Mary Lou
herself and before Mary Lou
knew it, she was telling this
beautiful and utter stranger
everything about herself, pour
ing it all out, about her par
ents and her strange delightful
childhood, about the Sander
sons, about Gram and even
Aunt Adelaide and Larry. Pour
ing it out? No, tumbling it
out, helter-skelter, her face
glowing, her eyes shining, her
voice rising or falling on sad
and happy memories.
What a Child
What an adorable child!
thought Mrs. Lorrimer again.
Peter appeared, tray ladden
and behind him a pretty, smart
ly uniformed maid. There
were great but silent doings
with tea tables and things and
presently Mary Lou found her
self gazing at perfect coffee
and thick cream, honey and
toasted biscuits and silver
bowl of fruit. Mrs. Lorrimer,
drinking her. own unwanted
coffee clear observed, with un-
mitigated pleasure, her guests
healthy appetite.
She hadn't seen anyone eat
like that for a long time, she
mused, remembering.
1COSI, uCPdI OlIlS, Sdlu, 1OW
Mr.. Travers has come in and
Is in his room. Mrs. Lorrimer."
Mrs. Lorrimer nodded and
that was all, but again Mary
Lou saw the shadow pass over
the tired, fascinating face.
After a moment Mrs. Lori
mer crushed out her cigarette
and set down her cup.
II haven't explained to you,
really" she said, slowly. This
what was his name. -?
Larry Mitchell? of whom you
spoke. L wonder if We could
persuade him to come see me
and perhaps give up his work
for time? He sounds just the
type which which we
all need. You see, at the be-
ginning of the war when my
son was very young he enlisted
in the Royal Flying Corps. He
got across and made a great
career for himself. He saw
much service, but was finally
shot down ad was for some
time in prison camp. That
and another sad experience,
sent him home to me very un-
like himself. He-he hasn't
anything organically wrong, he
is simply listless, interested in
nothing, unhappy, a recluse.
He has also had a lapse of
memory, a species of shell
shock, suppose. Not so much
that perhaps as" she broke off
and looked into Mary LOUIS
pitying eyes. We'll, it doesn't
matter. he's just i'll and dis
couraged. And the doctor felt
that if he had an adaptable
companion. one who would in.
terest him IN life again"
-- Sorry for Her
She broke off once more. and
her face fell into very haggard
and unhappy lines. Mary Lou,
who already loved her, was Sor-
rier for her than she had ever
been for anyone in all her short
life.
would Mr.. Mitchell, per
haps, consider the position?"
asked Mrs Lorrimer, again.
Mary Lou shook her head,
regretfully.
I'm afraid not. He's terribly
wrapped up in the newspaper
game And of course. he has