The Washington times., 1935-12-28

date. Nor had any party called
Metchaeva-or acknowledgements
any taxable jewelry at any time
into the Port of New York;
After her exciting and successful
mission to the Customs House, Yer
non did not Immediately return
home. She knew that her mothers
simlet eyes would read all kinds Of
meaning into her excitement.
The Conference
II her mother only had been DIFF
ferent-had more discretion-more
reticence-Vernon would have told
her everything this morning.
But her mother wovld have one
comfort. anyway. that the scan
dal would not break. That 1t would
not be permitted to leak out to the
newspapers.
Hungry.looking men down by
the waterside begged money for
food from her. She gave something
to each one.
She surprised more than one Of
them by slipping into their hands
a few dollar bills. Presently she
found little crowd about her, and
shy and rather alarmed-hailed
a taxicab and drove off uptown.
ITO Central Park"
She decided to dismiss the taxi,
and stroll in the bright November
sunshine, and think out the best
way Of getting in touch with
Terry.
1t was five minutes later that
she saw misunderstanding and
handsome on a big dapple Jelding.
He was talking and laughing as
he rode beside q trim little figure
in a natty, gray riding habit.
seated side-saddle on a chestnut
cob. and with a pang at her
heart, Vernon thought that her
cousin, Nan Washington, never
had looked prettier nor more ap-
pealing. e.!
The end Of the bride path was
right here, and they must turn.
She would hurrj away among
the trees-not interrupt them
Nan was the first to see her
standing there. Oh! Certainly
Nan saw. But she wheeled her
cob quickly around! Her eyes
were back absorbedly to Terry's
face. She gave not one sign that
she had seen her cousin.
A queer little stifled call es-
capped her lips, drawn from her
heart like blood from a wound.
Though Terry could not possibly
have heard 1t, so low it was, he
suddenly looked round in her
direction, as though telepathy had
passed between them.
Why, hello there" he called
out. But the expression on his
face had changed, she noticed.
The gaiety had instantly slipped
from it. and in his blue eyes. as
they looked at her, was a cool,
quizzical expression.
"Oh, it's you, Is it?" Nan said
coolly now. the coquettiSh smile
fading from her pretty face as
she raised her plucked and dark.
ened brows in an expression that
was scarcely welcoming. I'm
agine you out here all by yourself!
Where's Prince Karinoff? I
thought he wouldn't let you out
Of his sight for a moment-that
you and he were lnseparable."
"You thought nothing Of the
sort. You know he's nothing in
the world to me-" She turned to
Terry, contriving an airy smile:
you know Mans a great adept
at exaggerating."
Mans eyes flashed. "Oh, you
can't fool us, can she, Terry?
The Prince Is with you all the
time. Why. you were out with
him all night after the pageant
Says the pot to the kettle!"
mocked Vernon. my dear little
cousin, you we're in no condition
to remember or even know what
any of us did that night. Isn't
that so. Terry2"
well, there are some worse
things than Just getting tight"
Nan snapped back. Lucky for
you. old thing, that Aunt and
Uncle were out Of town all night,
or-poppa spank baby!"
And with that. she wheeled
her cob around, giving Vernon
no chance to reply.
4
The gilded electric clock on
the mantelpiece Of the Tyson's
drawing room chimed a silvery
peal. It was a quarter to 5.
Before a small low tea-table
that was covered with Queen
Anne silver and delicate china,
and set close to the electric fire