The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-09-23

 ming, after him across the lawns.
 Mrs McNeill met them in the hall and kissed Ruth matter-of- factIy as she greeted her. She said, You're dear child to come. John says you haven't been seeing people, but felt you wouldn't mind seeing me" She was leading Ruth into the big living room and seat ing her on a divan as she talked. The girls panic was vanishing. She had been accepted as Elaine. even in the clear lamplight. Per- haps there was nothing to fear, after all. She looked shyly at John and his beaming smile reassured her.
 He said, Mothers got a plan. A swell one"
 What is it?" Ruth asked, her voice a little futtery.
 "It's this," said Mrs. McNeill. You're to go back and pack your clothes and come to us at once. You're not to stay another night in that desolate old barn. It's not practical. It's not even safe"
 Ruth answered, surprised and touched, "Oh, but couldn't do that. I couldn't" She dd not say why she couldn't, but she said 1t firmly, as if she meant 1t. She only knew that she must not let them persuade her.
 Mrs. McNeill asked pointedly, l. here, Elaine?"
 "No," answered Ruth, flushing hotly. So it was going to be q sort of inquisition after all.
 And do you think she'd ap- prove of your being here alone?" continued Mrs. McNeill firmly.
 "No. suppose she wouldn't" We'll then! said Mrs. McNeill, as if that settled it. DO you want John to tell old Bertha Gibbs you're coming, or would you rather do 1t yourself?"
 Ruth replied, lifting her chin stubbornly, If it's Bertha you're thinking about, Mrs. McNeill, she's warned me about her several times" (with a quick smile at him) but I've always contended she's all right. She's just eccentric and childish"
 Mrs. McNeill said reasonably. We are in position to know more about Bertha Gibbs than you do, Elaine. She's quite def- nitely on. Not violent, I grant you, but off. She's nursed grudges against certain people for years. Your stepfather among them. Your mother, too, possibly. No doubt you know why. She wor- shiped your Uncle Duncan"
 "Yes," murmured Ruth, though what Mrs. McNeill had just said made no sense to her. She was thinking, T can't come over here and stay. I won't. There's a limit to my outrageous nerve" With , all her strength she would resist | them. She allowed her determina- | ton to show in her face as she looked at Mrs McNeill. She said. exactly as the imperious Elaine Chalmers would have said it, You're kind to ask one to come. but I'm quite all right where I am. It's an adventure I wouldn't miss"
 Well" remarked John, half smiling, that's that"
 Mrs. McNeill said, with little gesture, of defeat but not resent ment, "Then stay on for a while, dear, and talk to me. remember you as a little girl. and yet I don't remember you either. At least you've not turned out as l thought you would"
 Ruth supplied with smile, I'm not as large as I promised to be, and my hairs darker. My mothers hair turned dark. too. though not so much" She was quoting Penny almost word for ! word.
 Mrs. McNeill nodded. Its good to see one of the Hunters back again. There've been Hunters here for generations. Worthwhile misses them now. Js your mother well?"
 Yes thank you," Ruth replied. She was thinking. What a sweet woman! She's fine and good and proud and sensible. She believes l Pm Elaine Chalmers with millions and millions, but she treats me the way she'd treat any other girl whose mother she used to know. She'd sincere and sure of herself, John gets those traits from her. He gets his good looks from her, too"
 Mrs. McNeill was thinking, She's surprisingly simple and un- affected. And so pretty! No won der Johns infatuated. I can see he is. He doesn't take his eyes off her he really mustn't fall in love with her. She wouldn't have him, or, If she did, 1t wouldn't work. Wealth's a barrier to the normal life. It never brings hap. piness--"
 Yet, through and around these thoughts, they w0ve a web of polite conversation there in the gracious big parlor, autumn flowers noddlng from sedate old vases and polished floors defiecting the lamp light.
 All the while Ruth was think. ing, Elaine and John should marry. after all. lt wouldn't mat ter about all her money. Johns background Is as good as hers 1t would join the two houses together again. believe it's in- I tended. When she comes, all that will begin to happen" And then she thought of a hall | |.