Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1933-05-05
Eighth Installlnent

l
Cured to her that she might write
a few words to put in with it.
Then, having come to this conclu-
sion, she found herself dismayingly
unable to decide what to say. What
sort of letter would Frills write to
Neil? II don't see how she'd have
the face to write to him at all,
when all she cared about his alb
n was the chance it gave her to
go off with Maitland and his
crowd she thought disgustedly,
but just the same, since Joyce Ash
ton isn't going off with Matt, Il
think she might send a few words"
She ended by writing:
Dear Neil: You can't hurt al
solid ivory dome just by falling on
it! But it seems to have knocked
some of the pep out of little Frills,
and she's annoying the gang by cut
ting out some of the jazz. Laurine
was here this morning with a lot
of good advice, Ethel and Clarice
this afternoon, and while l was out,
Paul and Dot came, and Tess Farms
worth. Don't know why I've never
wanted a dog before nor just why
| want one now, but I've just ac-
quired a-darling," she wrote hasti-
ly, Sam got him for me from the
Marches on the Dry Greek Canyon
road. They're going to China and
can't take Dickie. He is quite ador-
able, and when did 1 ever care what
any one thinks? Frills."
Toyce was a little doubtful, when
she finished, about whether she had
not written more than was wise.
She sealed up the letter, however,
and then went downstairs to look
for Sam to post it.
Sam listened with casual polite
ness to her explanation of her ap-
pearance.
Il had a telegram from Mr..
Packard asking me to mail him
some papers he left behind by mis-
take, and l wondered if you could
get them to the postof1ce for me-
I'm sorry to disturb you this way
butt think rhe papers are import
ant and ought to leave right off.
Would you mind?'
'Sure not" replied Sam taking
the envelope, "I'll hop into the bus
and take it down"
Are Roxie and Marcia out?"
yeah, gone to the movies with
their steadies," Sam grinned good
naturally.
"Oh, of course" she murmured,
smiling back at him and then ad-
ded curiously, what were you do
ing, Sam, when l interrupted your"
"Oh, digging at the same old
stuff" replied Sam, as if she knew
also what that meant. He ran his
big brown hand through his hair.
Sometimes l think it's the bunk,
getting educated by absent treat
ment. But I s'pose l nights we'll
do it as to play pool or take some
jane to the movies"
Joyce returned to the house full
of thoughts of Sam, plugging away
by himself out there alone, and she
forgot for a moment the problems
of her own situation.
Just as she entered the living
room, a group of people came in|
with a burst of talking and laugh
ing and took possession of the
house.
you're my hotsy, I'm your tot
sy, everything is hoesy-totsy
nowwww sang a tall man with a
bald head and jovial pink face.
Joyce was seized in a rough en-
brace by this hearty gentleman and
kissed several times before she could
get away.
Behind a veil of smoke, Frills ex-
amined the separate members of the
company. She was more relieved
than otherwise that the free-and-
easy manners Of Frills' set demand
ed SO little effort. Apparently moth
ing very definite was expected OF
a hostess; everyone talked volubly
and seemed entirely at home. Both
Ethel and Clarice were present,
now in dinner dresses and ear
rings.
There were two other women,
who turned out to be Tess Farms
worth and Kate Belmain. Tess was
about thirty years old, a non-des-
cript brunette with a strained look
back of her small brown eyes.
Kate Belmain was the oldest wo-
man in the party. Her white hair,
bobbed and marcelled with such
careful skill that it quite rated the
dignity Of being called a couture,
made a most becoming soft frame