The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-09-21

I remember. Whats become of the McNellis, next door?'
 What would become of them ?" said Gwen Deal, with 8 shrug. "They're vegetables, and vege- tables stay where they're planted. Ellen McNeill was Ellen Reed. Good family, plenty of brains. Her young sister who died was my childhood friend. Ellen mar ried into the McNeill Pump Co. She's a widow now. Has a daugh- ter importantly married in Wash ington, and q younger son. He ought to be in his early 20's old Bertha used to mention the McNeills now and then in her let- ters, but she doesn't mention any body lately. Her eyes are bad"
 You ought to get rid of her." said Higate Deal clearly with a quick stab at his fish. Shell be burning the place down if you keep her on."
 Elaine thought, "So he hates old Penny. wonder why?'. Long ago, as child, she had learned to read his almost express sionless face. She asked, Would you mind, Gwen, if I'd spend the fall vacation with Hortense stokesbury in Boston? It starts Wednesday"
 Mrs. Deal said, "Why. no. That would leave me free to run down to Ashcville. l seem to need the mountains in the fall. Yes, go, dear"
 Later, as Elaine was putting on makeup and wrap for the the ater, Gwen Deal came to her. She said, first closing the door care- fullq, I'm terribly worried, Elaine. It's something can't talk to your stepfather about. Your questions about Worthwhile stirred me up again"
 "Whatcver's the matter, Gwen ? Do hurry. Teddy's waiting for me-"
 Gwendolyn Deal said, "I won't keep you long. It's about your Uncle Duncan. He's escaped from that place. They wrote me cor- fidcntial letter several days ago. It's their policy to keep things like that quiet. They expect to catch him"
 Elaine stared at her. afire with interest. "Where do they expect to catch him?"
 Trying to get to South Amer lea. He was botanist, you know. He collected tropical plants from the Brazilian jungles. It was known he wanted to go back there." -.
 Then why not let him" Elaine asked shrewdly.
 That's what I say!' exclaimed her mother. "Only your step father wouldn't feel that way about it. They were bitter ene- mics before Duncan had to be locked up."
 "Why was he locked up. ex- actIy?' asked Elaine.
 Gwen Deal began to weep nerv- ousIy into q fragile chiffon band kerchief. "It's all horrible scandal, Elaine! Sometimes l can't sleep at night for thinking of 1t. Your Uncle Duncan came back from one of his South Amer ican trips just in time to attend an important directors meeting of the railroad. think he must have been half out of his head with fever or something. He dis agreed with your stepfather < policies and they came to blows. Higate had him put in a sani- tarium. He almost killed a doc tor there - the doctor Higate had engaged to treat him. After that we had him adjudged insane and locked up. It's horrible. I'm hir own sister and I haven't seen him for years. And now he's escaped wandering around, God knows where. He may come here ana Kill Higate, out of revenge
 Elaine said, Nonsense, Gwen. I remember Uncle Duncan very well. He was good sort. Not the rcvengeful type at all"
 "PeopIe become different when they lose their minds" Mrs. Deal pointed out They said they'd traced him to one of the high 
 ways leading to New York. it seems he escaped with a crowd of students who'd been going through the place. After he left them he went to used-car stoie and bought q small car--he must have had money on him--and got exact directions for driving to New York. They feel sure he's trying to get boat out"
 "And l hope he gets it!' Elaine, exclaimed. "He doesn't sound so crazy to mo. Quit worrying. Gwcn. We'll talk 1t over in the morning."
 When she met Ttsldy Van Har- in the drawing room they kissed perfpnctly, exchanged gossip and went out to his wait