The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-08-03

mere? Inc mans u 41e11Q! 14e
can't be sane! Ny beautiful little
girl-my sweet-Donetta - Don
etta-Speak to me, sweet. It's
Christmas morning, darling-look
up, it's Schuyler calling you
look up, dearest!"
Suddenly he looked wildly, &C
cusingly, around him at the terri.
fled group.
With q gasping sob he fell on his
knees beside the whitley gliStening
heap before him, on the floor Of
the terrace.
Betty forced herself to 60 toward
that thing, she forced her hand to
reach out and touch the bowed
shoulder of Schuyler MillbankS.
Her soul sickened as she looked
down at that which his arms
clasped deSpairingly.
For there, on the cold flags Of
the terrace, powdered by the
gently falling Snow-lay the naked
body Of Donetta Dane, who had
borne the name of MillbankS for
such a brief period.
Schuyler" she faltered. Come,
Schuyler-we'd better get her in
side, hadn't we? Try to brace up,
Schuyler, so that we can think
what to do"
The headlights Of q motor
flashed against the house, vanished
as the car made a turn in the
drive, and then came steadily on.
ooh! Thank heavens!" Betty
breathed. Heres Uncle Cyrus!"
AS Cyrus K. swung his speedy
roadster up the drive of Millbank
Manor and under the porte
cochere, which had sheltered the
arrival Of the gay house party the
day before, his mind was occupied
with the telephone call from Betty,
which had brought him 1own here
in the snow, and, at the moment,
was alert with the possible Signi
ficance Of the lights he had seen
flash on in the big house, as he
entered the drive.
"Come right on upstairs, Mistat
Cyrus, suh," she said. de Lord
be praised that you're heah
There's terrible COINS on in this
house tonight, an I jes' felt in
my bones that there was trials
and tribulationS jes' hoverin' over
this house. That's why made
Miss Betty call fob you"
Cyrus K. looked at her keenly
ooh, so it was you back of that
call, was it?" he commented
How does it happen that you are
downstairs at this hour, and open
ing the door. Where's Millbanks
butler?"
"He's out on the terrace with
the others-and with the body
she told him calmly. II didn't
want all Of them to hear the bell
and besides, there's something ]
want to tell yoh befoh yoh &c
upstairs"
go on, Suky. What Is it?"
GAS I come a'Sneakin' down the
stairs to wait for yoh all at the
door, I looked into the library
and there, MiStah Cyrus, in front
Of the fire, sittin' jes' as If he were
daid, was MiStah Vane."
What did you do? Did you
call him?"
"No, sub. I jes' pulled the big
Slidin' door shut, still like-yoh
CANT heah q thing that's happen
ing upstairs If you're down heah.
Schuyler Milbanks was still on
his knees beside the body Of his
bride-his grief uncomfortable
Bobbe Nichols, hair touSled with
sleep, brilliant silk pajamas show
ing beneath q blanket he had
evidently Snatched up and
wrapped around himself; Rogers
Thornley,, with an overcoat over
his pajamas, his eyes bloodshot,
his face red and Sullen with
drink: Wilbur Renton, still in
dinner things, with q fastidiouS
silk robe over his black formality;
and Betty, in the gay Chinese
lounging pajamaS, and the padded
coat.
ManteI in Action
"Oh! Uncle Cyrus" she cried
softly. I'm so glad you're here
None Of us seems to know what
to do. It's so terrible-poor
Donetta!" Suddenly the tears
| Welled LID in her eyes and over.