The Coolidge examiner., 1935-12-27


they we're icft alone, "tell me every
word. Just exactly as it happened.
Don't be afraid-spill it ALL"
WELL" Perilla began, first Of
all, | disobeyed your orders"
THAT will do! Never use obey
or orders to me, now that the mar
riage service is over. You mean,
you forgot my request that you
shouldn't open the outside door of
the suite when you were alone"
"Yes; and that's just what 1 did
do. And there stood an attractive
lady who said she brought me a
message from your mother"
"Clever work And, of course, you
couldn't resist that-nobOdy could.
Well, go on, tell me every single
bit"
SO Perilla, now snug and safe In
Corey's arms, told the tale exactly
as she remembered it.
Fine" he commented. You did
fine job. Now, put the whole mat
ter out of your mind. I'll have every
effort made to find the thing, and
if it's found, so much the better. If
not, We'll pick out another like 1t,
or different, as you prefer"
"And wasn't she your friend,
Corey?"
II don't think so. l had friend
named Connie Linton, but this
wrongdoer merely borrowed her
name for the occasion. But forget
it now. I'll ring for Sarah, and
then 1 must do little more impor-
tant dictation."
Sarah came; it seemed that some
man in what looked like hotel livery
| had knocked at her door, saying he
brought a message from Mrs. Nal
den for her not t. go to her until
after fifteen minutes had passed.
He said Mrs. Maiden had caller.
Sarah thought nothing strange Of
| this and wandered round the cor
| ridors.
Its all right, Sarah, you were in
no way to blame" Maiden said,
after some questioning. Nov, get
Mrs. Maiden ready to go to the tea,
and I'll be back shortly"
The Carmichael tea, as the NAL
dens had supposed, turned out to
be cocktail party, and Perilla was
feted and flattered until a less
steady head than hers would have
been turned. Hurrying back to the
| hotel, they dressed, and started for
the Carletons' dinner.
You'll like the people, DEAR"
Corey said. Dick Carleton is salt
of the earth"
"How you do love your friends.
Corey. It's nice trait. think. Do
they all love you as much?"
Probably not Carmichael Is a
good one, and Gaskell, as you
know"
The Carleton dinner dance was OF
an elaborate type, and Perilla thor
oughly enjoyed it. She loved dane
ing and she loved fine houses and
elaborate appointments, and on this
trip she was so flattered and be-
lauded that it rather went to her
head.
Yet the depth and power of
| Corey's love was still more eXhila-
rating and she longed for the time
when they would have their own
home and go and come as they
| chose.
do come and live in Washing
ton," rather uninteresting partner
was saying to her as they danced.
Nov, how can you think l would
do that?" she laughed. Don't you
know l am New Yorker, born and
bred? Do you think I'd change my
| home town."
Richmond isn't home. l under
stand you're going to live there, in
the old Maiden house"
"Oh, no, we're not going to do
that" she cried, and then, fearing
she was saying too much, added, "at
least, not at present"
"Why don't YOU" he followed up.
unless, that is, you can't stand the
old lady"
"If you refer to my husbands
mother, please do not speak of her
in that way. l have never met Mrs.
Maiden, but 1 already love her and
deeply respect her"
"Oh, you dol Well, you'll get
over that"
Perilla looked round the room,
and saw Corey. There is my hus-
band. Will you be good enough to
take me to him?"
Il will not" said the daring
young man. "COme on, this is our
dance"
You are mistaken" said Perilla,
gaily, for she saw her host ap-
preaching. "Oh, Mr.. Carleton.
won't you take me to Corey, please
I've had an awfully strenuous day,
and we have long ride for to-
morrow"
Dick Carleton caught the serious
note in her voice, and Obeyed her
at once.
I'm very tired" she said, reach
ing Maiden, may l go home now?"
Eyes, DEAR" he said gently. LET