Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1932-07-22

Drevoore grew SO intense that even. the
servants were wrought up. Mrs. Hal
lett-Van Horn became hysterical, to
the point of speaking before Simmons.
Begin your pardon, Mr.. Van
Horn" Simmons fingered outside the
door as Brevoort left his wife's apart
ment. MAY l speak, sir?"
by all means, Simmons. Who in
hell did it,"
II hope you will pardon my pre-
sumption, sir"
Simmons, spill it. Was it the par
son, or who?"
ut was MI. Gilbert, sir"
GILBERT" Brevoort stood some
what dazed. Great Jupiter her son.
And mine," he added, as an after
thought. 'Wel1 I'll be damned!"
The bringing down of Gilbert from
college he was coming anyway, for
the midyear recess, was an event. He
had not forgotten the incidents of
the preceding fall. In fact he had a
rather lively idea of a renewal of the
affair; Gilbert, also, was a simple fel-
low.
"Your mother wishes to see you,
at once, MI. Gilbert"
The meeting was in the library.
Brevoort stood before the fireplace,
shifting from one foot to another.
His spats gave him the curious ap-
pearance of a man who is standing in
a puddle of glue.
Mrs. Ida Hallett-Van Horn re-
clined in a large cushioned chair, her
back to the windows. She was fully
and somewhat formally dressed. A
shawl of black lace, thrown owe her
shoulders, intensified her pallor. Hus-
band and wife did not speak. After
all he had done then to accuse her
own boy!
When young Gilbert came into the
rather tense room, his father gave him
a look of pity. Mrs. Van Horn, the
Hallett for a m subdued, smil-
ed at him wanly. He bent, and she
kissed his forehead. Her cheeks flush
ed. That handsome boy. Her boy.
Gilbert, sensing something unusual,
wondered what was up.
GILBERT" Brevoort tried to get
things moving. He was due down at
the club, at Twenty-first Street, a
beasrly drag, at four. "Your mother
has asked us here. | have asked you,
Gilbert, l mean we, that is your moth
or and me-"
mot me-" Ida Hallett interposed,
her voice sharp. "Not me, Mr.. Van
Horn; you, and, and Simmons" She
bowed into her hands a handkerchief
dabbed at her glistening eyes.
"Well, the fact is" Brevoort
was somewhat at a loss. "Let us send
for her." He looked pleadingly at his
wife. Of course. 1t was 4 Brilliant
idea. Ring for Simmons"
Simmons" Mrs. Van Horn spoke
with icy GOODNESS, "have Harriet come
up at once" The matter would soon
be settled.
They stood for some minutes, eter-
mites, father, mother, son. Gilbert, his
eyes on the fire, began to do some
thinking on his own account. Had the
girl told, Of Of He had not
looked at it in that~light, as any harm
to his parents, you know.
Harriet can't be found, ma'am,"
Simmons reported. "She left the house,
mann, cook says, this She's
took her own things. She has appar-
emily left, ma'am."
sMother-" Gilbert, awkward,
nervous, asked. "What, what about
Harriet"
"Son, oh, how can l say it. The
awful lies, the horror of it" She COW
cred her face, her head bent down;
sobs shook her shoulders. Her delicate
white hands trembled, her rings flash
ing in the freight. II simply can't
say it. Deny everything, Gilbert. Tell
them they lie"
son." Brevoort's quick eyes caught
the look of CONSERVATION, of r~ealiza-
ton, in the boys face. Again he had
an uncomfortable feeling that this
thing, if told at the club, would meet
with roars of mirth. Mothers maid,
Harriet, is about to, that is, to become
+ a mother. We, hat is i"
mo me, Gilbert, not me" she sob
bed and trembled.
eve believe you are responsible for
her condition. Is this so?"
Gilbert hung his head for a time,
then he looked straight at his father,
past his mother who suddenly faced
him, her eyes bright and eager for the
glad denial, ready, willing, anxious t
hear him fling back the vile insinua-
t;on. fIino II hack ike a Hallett.