Evening star., 1931-04-19

that Gregory K 'Elwood was blot on the face
Of the earth; the only question was whether he
should be eased out decentIy or just dumped.
me" said firmly, Tin for just hopping into
the cars, going on over to the dance, and If
eVer he says word, pop him ON the chin"
"Yes?"
We all turned, and Gregory stepped out from
behind curtain. He was smiling blandly.
housekeeping, eh?" Marjorie StronS sneere(
''Yep, eavesdrooping. I just decided I'd like
70 hear what you were saying, so I caves
dropped. That's the way am" He took us all
In with a glance "AS it happens. because I
eavesdropped can settle the problem. don't
want to go dancing. AS come to think Of it,
some of the most tedious moments in my life
have been spent dancing with you girls. except
Lucy"
He turned suddenly to Lucy, and his whole
manner changed. His eyes softened. His voice
dropped
."Im sorry, Lucy" he said humbly: I'm ter
ribly sorry. I behave one way, and I am
simply a vegetable at your party; behave
another. and I cause you embarrassment and
annoy your guests. If could help it I'd cut
OF my right arm before I'd do either. But
please understand this, whenever you wish me
% do anything-go leave, stay, hide or what
Wver-I1l do it. You understand"
For a moment she looked at him thoughtfully,
Ind then she nodded with . queer smile.
When we got back from Smallwoods around
d o'clock found had to sleep in the nursery
with Teddy Gregory had decided that he
wanted to sleep somewhere else-in my room
will make the rest very brief; it Is really
BOO painful for me to prolong. Gregory wasn't
ak breakfast. None Of us referred to him; all
NR US were thinking Of him, but none of US
ceferred to him.
I, particularly, was dubious about it all, not
% say dispirited. What Lucy and I had been
% each other. the tacit understanding that had
nm hofW ali
appeared. She was sweet 10 me, she was o
MArling, but the finality Of an engagement that
o0uId be gloriously published In the papers had
Hnoved away and become faint. All the evening
before at Smallwoods, with that charm she has,
she had avoided me, avoided what she must
have known wanted to say, to ask.
Only one sight did get Of Gregory before
noon that day. We were on our way to the
tennis courts It had rained bit the night
before and there was q puddle in the path.
We were Skirting the edges when suddenly from
behind some bushes a young man in white
ducks came rushing down the path, and with
q loud exultant whoop leaped high and landed
With both feet in the puddle.
The casualty was terrible. The shoes, stock
Hngs and dresses Of four young women, and
the shoes and white trousers Of four young men
were spotted high and dazkly with midland
Gregory, amiably oblivious Of the damage he
had done, stood smiling IN the middle of the
puddle
"AH my Hfe," he said pleasantly, "I have
wanted 10 jump in = puddle and Spatter people
lm white"
~Have you ever wanted" Toby demanded
eariousiy. Ito jump into the ocean?"
"Ncpe." Gregory replied, dashing away. "else
I'd have done it."
Tennis was a little tiresome after that
KAnncheon was DUH and % vas afterward.
EVERY one drolled around atmlesSly wondering
where Gregory was and what he might be up
-, and finally ducked upstairs to take a nap.
what follows now may sound q trihe fan
aMstic, bat submit only facts It was warm
IN the room and slept soundly, and when I
Wal1ed 1t was to find myself In . struggle, with
my mouth which unfortunately leave open
while sleeping, stuffed with cotton, o large
towel over that and . narrow leather strap
being buckled around my head to hold this gag
I'm place.
I am not very strong chap, and Gregory IL
quite husky. was easily overcome, and then
there was, thoroughly gagged, with another
strap buckled about my ankles and q third
binding my wrists behind my back. I lay there
unable to do anything but wriggle slightly and
glare.
"You know, Ward" he said in . low voice,
Strengthening his clothes nerEously, "this is
the kind Of thing that makes that fellows
oRders q little hard to follow.
~I don't like it ut ALL" he insisted Some
eames think I'd rather just chuck the whole
business and go back to being . nonentity espe-
cially when get notions IKE this one. In fact.