Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1936-08-26
CHAPTER 81

"GRACE winds up her letter 10
Eleanor with a fine broad hint that
. certain attractive widow-mean-
ing herself, Of course-is about to
annex handsome young inventor
from New York as husband
Tim puffed thoughtfully at his
sigar as he chatted with Gay.
"Well, far as that goes, Wayne
Adams wouldn't be doing so bad
for himself, marrying Grace. She
has family, some good looks, and
barrels of Larrimore money" He
chuckled. "I'll buy Grace hand
some wedding present, to make up
for reading her mail"
He rose to his feet, after a
glance at his watch.
Lets go, Gay! Time for cock
tails"
Tins remark about Wayne re-
peated itself so often to Gay, dur
ing dinner, that the words seem
worn into her brain. Wayne
wouldn't be doing go bad for him.
self, marrying Grace Larrimore. I"
A sense of desolation, a feeling of
emptiness and disappointment
crept over her, dulling everything.
She sat as at luncheon in the
chair of the hostess at the foot of
the long table, and the other men,
bers of the party occupied their
same places. Only Marian Wilson's
chair was empty. The doctor had
prevailed upon her to remain in
bed.
For Gay, the heady joy and ex-
element of being Tins guest, had
faded. The table with it's white
satin-and-lace covering, its gold
service, the elaborate food, the
constant babble of talk and laugh
ter, would ordinarily have aroused
her delighted appreciation. But
now she felt all ineXplicable desire
70 escape from it all and be alone.
She was furious at herself for
being so upset. Why should she
feel shocked at the thought of
. marriage between Wayne and
Grace? They had paired off at
Rose Heath, and on several other
occasions, too. He had devoted
himself conspicuously to Grace at
the house-warming party. But
that had been because of pique, to
punish her, Cay had imagined at
the time!
Wayne couldn't love Mrs. Larri-
more, Gay was telling herself now,
as she flirted with Breck who sat
nearby. Why, Grace was old!
XearS older than Wayne! IN
Aoubtedly, it would be for financial
reasons, If he married her. He
needed money for his airplane en-
CINE
Gay caught herself up, sharply.
What did Wayne's marriage mat
ter to her, a check girl, a guest at
Tim Keenan's home under false
eolors! She didn't love Wayne.
He didn't love her. From the way
he'd spoken to her in the music
room tonight, he didn't even care
to be friends!
Doctor Wilson's voice broke into
her unhappy musing. A glass in
his hand, he was demanding every-
ones attention. "Tim! Every.
body! I propose a toast to the
brave little girl who saved
Marian's life this afternoon. Here's
to you, Gay!"
For a moment, everything was
embarrassed confusion to Gay. She
was aware that they were all
pushing back their chairs, stand
ing up, gazing at her and crying.
"A toast to Gay Elwell. Drink
her down."
Then her mental fog cleared,
and she was attentive to an ex-
change Of glances between Wayne
and Mrs. Larrimore. Their eyes
met over the raised champagne
glasses, as though they were toast
ing each other, instead of her.
And Gay caught, also, the impa-
tlent undertone Of Peggy Pennell.
What the heck! Isn't this sill
I'm sick and tired of all this fuss
over nothing. Let's dance. or
something!"
Peggy had been trying to drown
her anger at Breck's neglect in q