The Coolidge examiner., 1936-09-25

she walked out serenely and smiled
at Grandmother. She dropped down
on the step, and sat there, waiting.
A low humming sound made it.
self felt on the air. 1t rose to q
whine the shining top of a
motor car appeared sliding along
outside the wall 1t slowed abrupt
ly, and swung in toward the gates
Gary started down the drive.
1T looks as if we had guests"
Grandmother said, interrupting
Madeline. II wonder who it can be 2"
ITS probably another plumber" :"
Madeline said languidly.
Gary had reached the gates. He
opened them, and passed through
But then, after a moments coIloquy
with the driver of the car, whom
Deborah could not see, he came
back to the gates again, and swung
them wide; and the long blue car
jolted a little and came on through.
Deborah put slow hand to her
throat.
But it was not Stuart Graham
driving; it was a woman a
girl in a bright red silk beret.
and a red jacket. Gary plodded
along behind the car, after he had
shut the gates and locked them.
The car came slowly up the drive,
and stopped opposite the end OF
the veranda. The girl got out. and
Deborah knew her. She was tall
and very slim, with long oval face
and a very red mouth. Her eyes
were black, and sleepy, like "A cats,
with slow black lashes dropping
over them. Deborah rose, and found
Madeline at her side. They went
| down the steps.
"It's Pillar" Madeline said under
her breath, and Deborah nodded.
"Ah, Madeline!" Pillar said in a
voice that made tune. She moved
forward, and let her hand rest
lightly on Madeline's elbow, hold
ing her, as she looked down at Deb
orah. And this" she went on ca
ressingly, this will be little Deb
Orah. My child, you are adorable"
THANK you," Deborah said sweet
ly, and put out her hand in vel
come. Il am so glad you have
come. l am sure you must be Pillar.
| have heard so much about you"
Pillar looked little startled, but
she lost not whit Of her poise.
She looked at Madeline. "And
aren't you glad to see me. too,
Madeline?"
"Oh, rather" Madeline said cool
ly, and turned back toward the We.
randa.
I'VE must take you to Grand
mother" Deborah explained. as Pl-
lars eyes lifted to the delicate old
face turned toward her.
Lovely" Pillar said, in an audi
Bile whisper. oh, lovely"
Grandmother" Deborah mur-
INJURED, this is Miss D'Avillo. She
is another friend of Sallys and
Madeline's."
Pm so happy to welcome you,
my dear" Grandmother said warmly.
"Oh. thank yOu," Pillar murmured.
and held Grandmother's hand quite
unnecessarily long. She straight.
ened.
Simon and Tubby and Bryn. all
silent, came around the end Of the
veranda. Bryn's face, as he glanced
| at Deborah, was very queer and
stiff; Tubby was white. Simon
| looked detached, as usual, but his
| eyes went at once to Pillar. And
she stood there, for a moment. be-
side Grandmother, beside Deborah.
She put her hand lightly on Debo-
rahs shoulder, before she moved,
and Bryn looked at them together,
so, Pillar beautiful and sOphisticat-
| ed and perfect down to the last
cleaning tinger-nail shining in the
sun. Deborah small and insiSnifi-
cant in her faded gingham.
Pillar smiled. She went forward
and held out both hands. My dear
Bryn," she said affectionately. But
how we'll you look, and how happy
Allow me to congratulate you;
think she is the loveliest thing
have ever SEEN"
Grandmother looked up swiftly at
Deborah; and Deborah, calm now,
with something cold and frozen
where her heart had begun some
short time ago to ache. smiled gen
tly and contentedly back.
The rain, which had threatened
for twenty-four hours, came at last
on Tuesday night. Deborah lay
awake and listened to the soft
steady fall on the balcony floor out
side her bedroom window. She
found herself wishing ardently that
it might rain hard and long, so that
the road might be impossible to
Stuart Graham, so that nothing fur
there should break in upon the
peace and lOvelinesS of the sum-
mer days. But that was a useless
wish, she knew. The peace and
loveliness were already gone.
Pillar was very beautiful, but the
most troubling thing about her was
the so obvious fact that she be-