The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-07-29

She hears gossip coupling his name with ADELE LADD, MurieI's mother. Muriel goes about with CHUCK DESMOND, debOnair re- porter, and one night her mother institutes q frantic search for the couple, believing they have aIoped. The affair proves a false alarm. Ihanc goes to stay with the CIecs- paughs and finds the good looking son Of the house, CLIVE, con- sfdcrate and OmpanlOnablc. When Va nRobard drops in unexpectedly one night she Is again fascinated by him. Then she hears he is to marry MurieI Ladd.
 NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 CHAPTER XIV.
 There 1t was in black and white. Nora had left the morning paper beside Liane's breakfast tray. She read: "Mr and Mrs John Fenton Ladd of this city and Willow Stream, l.. l.. announce the en- gagement of their daughter, Mu- riel Norton Ladd. to James Van Dusen Robard, son of the late Mir and Mrs Edward Creighton Robard of New York and New port. The ceremony will take place"
 Liane saw no more. Blindly she pushed the paper from her, began automatically to pour her coffee. This morning the luxury of the breakfast rite failed to please her. Van Robard and Muriel! She just didn't believe 1t. It was stupid. There was no meaning in 1t. Elsie had said Van Robard was in love with Muriel's mother. oh, 1t was a crooked, strange and topsy turvy world!
 Why then had he said, Sweet child. had to come back to see you"? Was that just "line." the sort of thing he said to every wo- man? Oh. what fool she was even to give him a moments thought. Cruel, cruel. that's what he was. Cruel and conscience less. And yet. he didn't look like that sort. There was something fino about his darkly lowering face.
 You've got to stop this non- sense." Liane told her image in the mirror. Indeed she looked ghostlike this lovely, misty morn- ing. There were black circles under her eyes. Her clear skin had a pallid. lifeless look. - "Why did he come here?" she asked herself as she dressed. Why. indeed? The whole thing mystified her. It was like picture puzzle with one of the pieces missing.
 The Ladds, she had heard, had closed their house and gone back to town. Why had he come to Willow Stream on the eve of the announcement of his engagement? It was all crazy and mudlde-head- ed. She couldn't figure 1t out.
 AS she opened her door she al- most collided with the parlor maid who carried a yellow envelope on a tray. "For you. miss." gasped the girl fluttering with excite ment.
 Liane's heart stood still. She tore the ominous thing open. Her eyes raced over the lines.
 Mother has pneumonia. Better come. St Anselm's Hospital. Phila- delphia. Elsie."
 Liane' uttered one small. stifled cry. "Oh. my dear. I should never have left you!"
 The maid stared. "Is there any thing can do. Miss Barrett?"
 "Yes--no--I don't know. Is Mrs Cleespaugh up yet?"
 "She do be hnvin' her break- fast along about this time."
 Liane said, "I hate to disturb her but I must"
 Trem bling. she knocked on the door. The commanding voice bade her enter. Mrs Cleespaugh. lor- gnette perched precariously on the bridge of her majestic nose. sat up In her splendid four-poster, read ing her letters. Frills Of lilac-col- ored chiffon. her bed jacket. streamed around her. Her hair was already splendidly dressed. One could not imagine her in dis order.
 Without a word the young girl put the message into Mrs Clecs- paugh's hands.
 "Oh, my dear child. I am fright fully sorry. Of course, you'll want to go. Where Is Give? Can he see about trains? Van Is going in this morning. He can look after you as far as the city. hate let ting you travel by yourself but there's nothing else to do."
 Liane said yes. she had money. Yes, she could arrange everything.
 Nonsense" said the old lady briskly. "Im writing you check for $200. You can pay me back any time." She waved away the girls thanks.
 Reaching for the house tele- phone she called Clive's room.
 He's gone, of course" she mur- mured disgustcdly "You'll find him down at the stables, no doubt. He was talking to Kelly about hav- ing the vet in this morning at 10. Try him there."
 Liane flew. She found Give In consultation with a sandy man in baggy clothes. Give turned to greet her, excused himself. Liane explained quickly. briefly. She was afraid she might be going to cry.
 Instantly the young man was all sympathy. He said to the vcteri- nary. Look. Miles. I've got some- thing frightfuliy important to at- tend to. This can go over until |. tomorrow? Right. I'll see you then About the same time"
 He walked back to the house with her. talking of tickets. sched- uIes. She was grateful for his mat t ter-of-fact air. It helped her to keep from breaking down. If she ' lot herself golf she thought of z her mother. lying i'll in that lone- iv hospital room, she would not be able to go on. Was she the same girl who had /. been worrying, few hours before. because A mere man had caused her pain? What did all that mat ter? How foolish 1t seemed now! All that mattered in the wide world was her brave. tired mother.