Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1933-05-11
CHAPTER l

The Cary House.

Ensloe thought, ailghting from the taxi
and stopping before the gate.
Here was the double-pointed iron
fence enclosing the large yard. Here
were the two stone lions guarding the
front steps; lions on whose broad
backs Geoff's mother and little Mona
Cary had ridden some thirty years ago.
There at the left was the garden with
the antlered deer, one kneeling on
delicate forelegs, the other standing
haughtIly erect Time had been at
work upon the Impressive length OF
their antlers but otherwise they were
Just as Mrs. Ensloe had described
them.
by Georgel There's the Identical
marble lady pouring water from the
two-handIed Jug on her shoulder! How
/ loved to hear about that fountain
when / was six and had scarlet fegerl'
He had reason to remember that Ill
ness since 1t gave him more of his
mothers attention than he had en-
joyed before or since. Mrs. Ensloe
was not, as she herself frankly adj
mitted, the maternal type of woman.
She loved her clever husband with all
her heart and soul, and as his pro-
fession OF chemical engineer carried
him to all parts of the world, she had
gone with hing leaving Geofr at first
In the care of his grandmother, then,
as he grew older at various schools
and summer camps.
John Ensloe was dead now, and
Geofr was following In his fathers
professional footsteps. Mrs. Ensloe,
however, did not suggest accompany
Ing him to Denver where he was to
spend d year In laboratory work be
fore returning to take his fathers
place In the New York firm. Instead
she settled down to finish the book on
properties and Uses Of Hydrofluoric
Acid, which her husband had begun
and which his publishers considered
could be completed satisfactorily by
bis widow.
OF m1lst-fnnk- I1Il-the-G arys- In
Denver" she told Geoff 1.-THE Ayles-
hurys, suppose | should call them
now. Only Captain Cary Is left. L
used to visit Mona Cary every summer
when / was a child Her father had
large mining interests there and my
father had business with him."
IT know said Geofr. Have you
forgotten how you used to tell me
about the big house and the lions and
the lady In the garden? | even know
that there was blackheart cherry
tree back Of the house and you and
Mona made yourselves sick one year
eating them"
His mother looked amused. I'D for
gotten I'd told you all that always
Intended to 90 back and see Mona
after / married, or have her come on
here. I always remember to send
Cynthia birthday gift each year, :
she added hastily.
Geoff grinned at her. "You remem-
ber! Who was 1t reminded you last
month and went down with you to
select the gift? A corklng jade din
ner ring 1t was AS godmother,' he
reproached her, "you leave something
to be desired"
s'As q mother, too, perhaps" she
said quietly, though I must say you've
rather thriven under neglect. Mona
Cary, now-Nona Aylesbury, / mean
will fulfill all your dreams of an ador-
Ing maternal parent. She'll fuss over
you, pet you, worry about you II your
little finger aches-she was a perfect
little mother even when we were chill
dren together"
"You talk as Ii you expected me to
live with herr" Geofr, interested In
this implication, did not heed the faint
bitterness In his mothers tone.
aIt might be good thing for every
body concerned" she answered. II
rather imagine the Aylesburys are hav-
ing a hard time financially. Captain
Cary was never business mamie
inherited his wealth from his father
who came from Virginia and made q
fortune In his old age. / believe Nona's
husband put his own money In with
the Captains and when he died-Mr
Aylesbury, | meant seems to me
there was some sort OF financial crash
Your father and / were In Spain
She stopped abruptly, her eyes DARK
with memories.
Geofr however was very much occu
pied with the present. Il hope yot
haven't committed me to living will
them?" There was alarm In hts voice
the alarm of young man who has hat
rueful experience with ambition!
mothers of pretty young daughters.
She shrugged lis 1t likely? You'v,
managed your own affairs for grea
many years now. But know you hat
hotels and boarding houses, and tn,
Cary place used to be delightful
.Mrs. Aylesbury went back to |
when her husband died?"
1Oh, she meyer left 1t. Her fathe
insisted. that she and Mr.. Aylesbur
move right In with him--Mrs Car
had been dead for years-and tn
house is big enough to hold severa
families. Mona has two children -
non ahout your age, and CYNTHIA. Cyr