The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-08-08
CHAPTER XVI

Echoville, Seifert Vail was buried
in New York City from q preten-
tious funeral chapel. His sister, who
had cabled instructions for the dis
position Of his body, had arrived
from Bermuda in time to attend the
services. The newspapers next
morning described the scene. A few
friends had been admitted, and 20
great . press Of curiosity seekers
had gathered outside that the police
had to dispense them. Only Anne
Vail and two others had accompa-
MED the singers body to the ceme-
terry in Queens.
I was in the lobby after break
fast the next day when the sana.
torium car which met all trains 1T
Cold Valley brought . visitors
tall, middle-aged woman with IRON
gray hair and Z big-boned body. As
she stopped 1t the desk, recognized
her from . picture in the Times Is
the singers sister.
II want to see the manager,
please" she said in . deep, authori-
tative voice.
I looked at her with interest in
the moment she stood there, before
the operator directed her to Ander-
sons Office down the hall. She wore
flat-heeled shoes, . well-tailored
tweed suit which must have been
very warm that day, and . plain
black straw hat. She resembled her
brother slightly, but / liked her ap-
pearance much more than his. Her
features were good, though some
what masculine, and there was m
air about her Of . woman who knew
her own mind very we'll.
When she had left, I carried the
news Of her arrival to Mark. ! found
him being reprimanded by Sue, who
had, it seemed, experienced some
trouble with him that morning when
he was having his diathermal treat
ment.
"Men are terrible patients" she
said. "Fussy IS childrenl"
"Nurses are hopeless sentimental
ists," Mark retorted. Contrary to
all our knowledge Of human be-
havior they expect invalids to be
more reasonable than well people. !"
81 don't expect that much" she
answered. "But ! do expect them
to help us when they come here to be
cured"
"Stop fighting" I said.
Sue looked ct me and smiled. II
wasn't thinking 50 much Of Nj.
Hillyer," she said. "I'm used to his
tantrums." Mark made . ferocious
face ut her. "But you would think
. man O. sensible o. Mr.. Ruxton
would take care Of himself. He had
permission to 30 to dinner with
Loren and me ct IN inn up near
Arrowhead, and do you know. he
caught q cold the other day and
tried to conceal it 50 he could 60
with US. He had IN examination
yesterday and Of course they dis
covered it."
"Those summer colds are hard to
shake on" ! said. "How did he get
it,"
"Slseping under IN electric far" "
Sue answered.
"Well, that's very interesting" I
remarked, "but I've got some more
important news" ] turned to Mark.
"Anne Vail Is here. She came up
on the morning train"
Mark sat up. "Shs isr Bob. I've
got to sec her!"
Il thought you'd want, 20: How
are you going to manage 1T"
you've got to do Il for me. Bob.
Where Is she now7"
"In Anderson's ONCE.
"Well, 50 out and watch the door
until she comes out, and then ask
her to come to see me. Tell her it'd
about her brother. and its very i'm.
portant."
I did not relish the commission,
but Il did not occur to me TO refuse
Mark, knowing how badly he want.
ed to talk to her. So ! went into the
lobby and sat whore I could watch
the door Of Anderson's ONCE until
she came out. I stepped into thu
corridor to meet her and said. mis-,