The Washington times., 1931-02-19

Chapter
AS Larry steered her through
the morning throng she found
breath enough to inquire anx-
iously:
Larry! How do I look?"
"A million dollars" said Larry
gravely, land I wouldn't ask for
a cent less"
In the taxi, however, he
looked her over from head to
toe and nodded.
You'll do. Keep a stiff
upper lip and remember that
your great-grandmother was a
lady. Don't let 'enl put it over
on you. I looked up this Lori
mer bunch, there's just Mrs.
Lorrimer and her son, so the
invalid must be the lady her
self. They are simply all over
stocks and bonds"
Mary Lou began to be
alarmed. This would be her
first excursion into the Clan OF
Heavy Income Taxes.
Don't worry" Larry advised,
reading her thoughts. Kind
hearts are more than Bethle-
hem Steel"
He put her on her train with
two minutes to spare and
gravely handed her a very wild
looking French periodical which
he had bought earlier that
morning.
Put this under your arm" he
ordered, "and it will make a
swell impression"
He ran along the platform as
the train pulled out, shouting
advice, commands and encour-
agement.
Ring me up" he painted,
"when you get to town. I'll be
at the office, or leave word.
Remember, don't let 'em put
anything over. Remember you
are lineal descendant OF
Queen Cleopatra"
Not So Sure
She was still smiling when
she turned to the pages Of the
magazine and she kept on smil-
ing for quite a time, but de-
cided before WeStmill was
reached that perhaps after all
she had better leave Larry'5
gift in the train. Her sense Of
humor was still with her and
also her knowledge of French.
but after all she wasn't so sure
about the Unknown Invalid.
She reached WeStmill and
made inquiries at the severe
Georgian brick station. The
Lorrimer estate was some dis
tance away, and Mary Lou,
peering in her purse, discovered
to her relief that because OF
Larry's forethought in provld-
ing tickets-inclucing return
she had quite enough money
for the emergency of taxi.
Presently she was passing
through the neat shopping
district and the village and
turning off on gorgeous Coun-
try roads where the trees, not
yet bare, almost met overhead.
The driver was, for a wonder,
not loquaciouS, so Mary Lou was
able to enjoy her ride in peace.
She had the windows down
and the crisp November air
brought a sparkle to her eyes
and a smile to her curvirg red
lips.
Presently they ratified past
great gateposts, up long tree
bordered driveway, curv!ng, and
very lovely. To the left she
caught a glimpse of wdter-a
lake, she thought, but, as they
came up the approach to the
house, she saw that it was
really a bend of the Sound,
curving to a white. nalf moon
of beach.
Ill At Ease
The house was of stone with
q great central portion and two
beautifully proportioned wings.
Ivy almost covered it and the
stone itself where it could be
seen and that of the cnir1neys
had mellowed to a lovely soft
gray. The site was hign, above
the Sound there were vide,
curving lsoping lawns, still vel
vet green. and many fine old
trees. There would be glowing
gardens in summer, she thought
with a catch of her breath. for
there were still belated roses,
dahliaS and other blooms, much
as at Oakdale but on quite a
different scale. And she saw
big hothouSe among the out
buildings, she saw glassed-in
porches as they stopped at the
house itself. 1t was a o2autiful
place, too lovely. she thought
with a sinking heart. 70 De any
thing but indifferent toward
her.
She paid the driver with
gloved &ands which Shook .