The Washington times., 1931-09-11
CHAPTER XVI

oAlC was uSdGLlly LAICu. Every
thing was over. The next. hour
or two would see the end. She
dismissed Emma, who was wait
ing. please get me out of this
costume, Emma" she asked,
"and then you can go to bed.
I'll take care of Mrs. Carstairs.
I know you're tired" she said.
She got off the costume and
slipped on a negligee. When
the elderly maid had departed,
murmuring her thanks, Fan
chon took off the little wrap Of
satin and lace and put on a
plain tweed dress, changing her
shoes and stockings as well.
Over the dress she slipped on a
heavy satin robe, tailored. and
buttoned it close to her throat.
She went back into the living
room, switched on the lights,
went through to the pantry and
presently arranged a coffee
table in the living room with
decanters, highball glasses, ice
and Scotch whiskey. She put
milk on the electric stove in the
pantry to heat. Then she sat
down and waited. There was
no sound from Tony.
She had not long to wait be-
fore Collin and Mrs. CarstairS
came in. Fanchon heard the
elevator stop and opened the
door herself
MY dear" exclaimed Jennie
softly, why aren't you in bed?"
She Feels Better
MY headaches better" said
Fanchon. Here, Aunt Jennie,
let me take your wrap" She
laid it, a priceless affair Of
chinchilla, over a chair. II let
Jameson and Emma go to bed"
she went on. they were half
dead. I couldn't sleep so found
. book and waited. I'm going
to help you out of your mag
nificence," she went on, and
I've mixed a drink for Collin
and a very tiny one for me
and heated your milk for you.
/ thought-we might have
party" she begged.
Through Collins mind and
that of his mother. the same
thought flashed. She doesn't
want to have anything said
:. tonight.
Mrs. Carstairs went into her
room and Fanchon helped her
take off the, lovely costume
and the jewelry. She put the
jewels into a drawer, for
safety until morning, and laid,
with bands that shook a little,
the rope of pearls, the emeralds
and diamonds, stripped from
neck. and wrist, from hands
and earns. into the big jewel
case and shut the drawer upon
them. From the terrace out
side the living room there had
come no sound.
When Mrs. CarStairs lifted
the tiara from her hear with
q sigh of relief-"Barbaric
thing, it weighs a ton," she said,
and handing it to Fanchon,
put on a lounging robe, after
which the two women went
into the living room and joined
Collin, who, still in his flam-
boyant costume, was walking
about restlesSly.
RefreShment Time
They had their "nightcaps"
:. .Fanchon her very small
drink, Collin his man-sized
one. Mrs. Carstairs her milk
If they were watched from the
terrace none knew it. Only
Fanchon suspected. And the
powders that Tony had given
her lay, still in their papers,
In the pocket of her robe.
Collin said, looking at Fan
chon,
Mother, I want to talk to
you for a minute, if I may.
Evelyn knows what I have to
say"
"Oh," said Fanchon. please
not tonight. Collin! Aunt
Jennie's so tired and so am I.
Tomorrow"
VERY WE'LL" he said stub
bornly, as he saw his mothers
gesture of agreement, "tomor-
row then. But no later than
tomorrow"
He went to his room pres
emily. Fanchon went with Mrs.
Carstairs to hers, helped her
undress, saw her safely into
bed and leaned over to kiss
her. Her lips shook so that
she could hardly control them.
She said, "Sleep well, darling
=" and her hand on Mrs.
CarStairS' was ice cold.
"You are really i'll, Evelyn"
said Mrs. Carstairs in quick
concern, never mind me. Go
to your room at once and try
to get some sleep. We will
have the doctor in the morn
ing if you're no better.
On Wings Of Despair
Fanchon said. lightly, "Ill be
all right. Too many good times,
I guess" and went to her
room. There. she lay down on
the bed, without disturbing the
covers. and waited. Twenty
minutes. Half an hour. ! An