Evening star., 1933-08-06
neWhife CoCkatoo
kr Mipnon G.. Eberhdrt
tJ Mignon G. Eberhari

| matter of form. And while I have hesi-
tated to speak before, lest I make you
feel unwelcome- still-still you must
ee-what-what a thing you have
brought upon us al"
/ Sue paused. I was glad to see that
/ Sue was sternly unmoved. But think
she was still doubtful. still loath to dis
credit Grethe's motives in her own
mind. And Grethe said suaveIy:
Think what's waiting for you, dear.
Five million dollars-flve mIIIlons. The
things you can buy The things you
can do"
1t was just then that Sues long. pur-
posely blind loyalty collapsed. She re-
moved her arm quietly from Nine.
Grethes clasp.
! Don't think for a momen. Nine.
+ Lovschiem." she said sweetly, that I
shall forget what you've done. And I'm
sure my-Mother-will feel most CRATE
| full to you in your attempt to smooth
the way before u.s."
! Grethe looked placid. then family
puzzled. then suddenly comprehending
| Her white lids dropped over her secre-
taking Sues words at their face value:
Don't thank me, my dear. I've only
| done what I could do"
! I'm afraid I'm not thanking you. "
/ said Sue quite frankly. You see, 1t
wasn't altogether kind Of you to keep
what my-my brother-told you secret
from me- 1t was reticence which is
not Of nature to maintain my conf
dence in your friendship. You and your
husband are the only people in Armene
besides myself who knew of the circum-
/ stances of my inheritance"
I think Sue had not actually in
! tended tn ho
must fight whether she liked or not, she
struck little too blindly, choosing in
her haste a weapon whose sharpness
( she did not quite comprehend But its
1 very unexpectedness frightened Nine.
! Grethe
Though. to be sure. only close OBJ
/ server might have caught her fright in
| the sudden leaping of her eyes. in the
| placative manner in which she ad-
dressed Sue and put an end to the situ-
alton with less adroitness than one
might have expected of her.
You are tired and unstr,lng." she
said. otherwise you would not speak
in such way to me. To your only
friend. To"
Il have other friends" said Sue,
cutting into Grethe's soft speech with
out visible compunction.
THE trouble is we are all tired and
nervous and upset. and no wonder. Ill
order tea and we'll all feel better" She
walked with a swish of green silk to the
bell and pushed it with her square,
vigorous white thumb.
| BliSsfully Sues little smile flashed. I
/ liked her being able to achieve it.
She said with quiver of mirth in her
voice: I'm not quarreling. I'm only
telling you what I think I'll go and
| IN hou
tea. She won't want to miss it."
She turned quickly toward the stair
way and Lorn started to follow her,
but I sprang ahead of him.
| I'll go along" I said, and we were
on the stairs before any one could stop
us. caught green flicker from
Grethe's eyes and heard her saying
sharply something about Miss Tallys
new acquaintance. and then we passed
around the landing.
We turned from the lounge well with
its blank galleries and tiny group wait
ing down below-and went along to
Mrs. Byng's door. Sue knocked. Mrs.
Byng did not reply Immediately, and I
said in a low voice: Don't knock again
for moment I want to talk to you"
She glanced up and down the cor
rider. Away at the end policeman S
blue coat and tight trousers came into
view She said:
Here in my room"
She opened the door. I've never
known why I remembered in that hur-
ried moment to enter it first in order
to look about. At any rate, that's what
I did while she stood there in the cor
ridor.
The room was empty. No one was
about. 1t was only the quivering Of the
/ - - kAAA
caught my eye.
What dread secret will the old ward
robe reveal Tomorrow