The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-11-16

nor realize that he himself is - has been affected by what was served him. Please believe that resented what was said as much as you did" Toms jaw set grim ly, in a flash of resentment against the author of all this trouble. "When MT Peabody is in con dition to understand what he has done he will also apologize and retract what he has said"
 Remarkable that the man let him say all this. He had expected to be interrupted by a furious out burst! But the gray, chill look remained unchanged, the eyes met his with that blank awful glare, and as his own voice died away, Averill felt that he had not made the slightest Impression on that frozen, almost cataleptic figure. Rerteating voices told him that Linda and others were !. going toward the car. At his right, he felt rather than saw Pratt's decidedly comforting sup port. Then the merest flicker of eyelashes showed that the taut terrible figure was after all hu- man. Into the eyes stole the look of seeing. Averill released hii breath with a little gasp-he had not realized his own poised sus. pense. As the eyes changed, i. ss did the whole face. The crisis was over although the now suavt courteous expression could - and probably did-veil any unpleasant thought.
 T understand your position Mir Averill. It is indeed--unfor- tunate-" The Belgian spoke soft ly, in his voice glfnting under current of venom. Nevertheless, I must-regretfully refuse your further hospitality and leave your delightful home - at once. You will understand my position. l cannot remain"
 aoh, come, MT Devos" It was Prat's rather heavy heartiness that interrupted and Tom felt the other vince under the jcvial boom. You can't let Mrs Averill down that way. She has planned to en- certain us all. After all, I under stand that MT Peabody came un- expectedly and was not of the original party-isn't that right,
 "Quite so." Tom made his de- cision. Older man, relative though he was, the one to leave must be the elderly trouble-maker, not this invited guest. ''Mr Pratt is quite right. MT Peabody. being a relative dropped in on the chance that we could put him up. After what has happened he will not want to stay. We are delighted to have you as our guest and l also feel a responsibility to the firm. We've both wanted you to enjoy your stay especially and we'll feel we've failed completely if you leave us because of this unpleasant incident, Please recon- sider, DeVos. can assure you that you need have no further contact with MT Peabody"
 Yet driving home with the de- cidedly subdued party (Linda had gone ahead with the still dazed Cousin Amos) Tom wondered in agonized uncertainty what she would say, whether he ha q done the right thing, and how they would manage tactfully to get rid of the older man.
 Waiting in their room for Linda Rosie had given him her, mes- sage that her cousin was feeling decidedly unwell and that she would stay with him until he was more comfortable. Averill sighed over the whole situation.
 For the first time he realized an- other growing cause, of discom- fort = the rising. ominous heat, breeding more and more heavily over the still water and land. To the physical and mental depres- sion was added the sharp poig- nancy with which, on returning home, he had missed the welcome Cf the little white dog. Poor old Bunty--so loyal and sturdy and lovable! How long they had had her and what a faithful, patient little friend she had been to them all! Hard to realize she had gone
 And how she had gone! That had been in the back of his mind all these last hours. Shaughnes- sey. Statlander, Devos, Pratt Linda thought one of these had done 1t. To-day. all of them-ex- cept Pratt - had shown such ghastly tempers. Murderous tenn pers? Yes, he could honestly say that they seemed sufficiently in- tense.
 Why didn't Linda come? He must talk to her. He had prom ised Devos the old man should go and that he should go at once. It was nearly dinner time ah, at lasti That was her step
 She anticipated his troubled. half-ashamed opening sentence.
 "Yes, Tom, he has to go. You can't help 1t. He can't either, in his way, poor old man. But you're responsible for this party and af- ter that scene there's nothing else to do. But not to-night--no. hon. estly! He won't come down to |dfnner. He's feeling quite wretched, poor .thingin She smiled a little. ''I bounced him back pretty roughly, I'm afraid. was cora Tomi And the excitement