Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1936-09-08
CHAPTER ~


STANDING in Wayne's bed
room, her fac" flaming hot with
shame and fierce contempt at
the realization of her dubious posi-
ton. Gay listened to Wayne's step
as he crossed the living room and
flung open the door that led to the
foyer. An instant later, she heard
a woman's voice, with a note of
intimacy and ownership III it's af-
fected cadences.
My dearest boy, where have you
been, all day? Do you know I've
telephoned three times?"
Gay shrank back. OF all the
people in the world, Mrs. Larri-
more!
She couldn't help hearing every
word of the conversation out in the
living room while Wayne explained
that he'd been away all day and
had just returned.
But I rang the door bell twice!
And why haven't you any lights
on? Were you asleep? I see that
you were-your hairs all rumpled.
Do let me straighten it for you.
You're such a well-groomed per-
son, usually, it looks odd, that way.
There! But don't you ask a guest
to sit down? I've some very i'm
portant news for you"
Gay tip-toed to the windows, and
stood looking down at the street,
far below. Even so, she could not
escape hearing all that went on.
There was a silence, while Grace
Larrimore settled herself in a
chair. Then she ratified on. 'Tim
Keenan's gone out of town."
HE has?" Gay caught the note
Of CONSERVATION in Wayne's voice.
Eyes. Gone to Paris, if you
please, to meet Eleanor and get
married. That wretched check girl
didn't succeed in landing him, after
all her work. I'm glad of that, of
course. AS Eleanor's friend, I'm
pverjoyed that Tim came to his
senses in time, before that cheap
little gold digger coaxed him into
marrying her! But it's such
klame for all your hopes and plans,
Wayne dear, that Tim should go
away right at the psychological
moment. He was almost ready to
sign up with you, wasn't he? Now
everything will have to wait till he
comes back to Detroit. I'm so
sorry! I've been thinking about it
ever since heard the news this
afternoon. And I've decided there's
only one thing left for you to do"
Wayne's response was so low
pitched that Gay didn't catch the
words. 1t was Grace's high tones
that next forced themselves upon
her hearing.
Eyes, I am going to make my
offer again, and this time you
must accept! Why isn't my money
as good as anyone else's? Wayne,
darling, you've known all along how
I feel toward you. From the night
we first met, before Walter died,
I've been deeply interested in your
career. Please, dearest, don't try
to stop me from telling you. I
might as well put my cards on the
table. ask nothing more than
just to help! Why can't you"
Gay felt she would scream if she
had to hear any more. There was
something shameful in this unin-
tie tt 0 n al eavesdropping. She
pressed her hands to her ears, to
shut out Grace's pleading voice,
and Wayne's embarrassed replies.
Long moments passed while she
stood there, more thoroughly mis-
cradle than at any time in her life,
as she realized more and more
clearly how close she had come to
Throwing her bonnet over the
windmill.
Even now. she could smile a lit
tie, remembering Aunt Sophie's
old-fashioned phrase. Well, her
bonnet was saved, Gay unused. And
shed never let herself come so