The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-12-21

she anSwercd-as though all this
were something that couldn't ac-
tually. happen. but you seem
real enough. -, .
Ramon VasQucz claimed Betty
for his partner and put. an END
To the conversation. Bob walked
AWAY To- a secluded window-seat
to watch the gay picture. Here,
10 his surprise. he found profes-
sor Shaw pccring at the dancers
much as he might examine some
scientific phenomenon.
"Why aren't you out there step
pin~ il up with some pretty girl,
Professor" Cob asked jOkingly.
"Eh? oh. you% The professor
turned with Il start. dancing /!
Not at my age. Besides, I'm find
inr other things that are more
interesting. Look" He pointed at
Angcliquc. standing alone in the
hallway opposite them. She was
watching Ramon and Betty dance,
and the expression on her dark
face caused sudden chill to run
up Bob'S spine. The fur and claws
ir Angcliquc'S makeup We're
plainly visible in that unguarded
moment.
THAT girl would go long way
70 gain her own ends" remarked
the professor sagely. interesting
isn't il? The play of human emo
tions, | mean. Now, over on that
side. is something else again
He nodded TO where Pearl Sam
and Pearl Pierre were seating
Tante Josephine in a high,
backed. carved chair. The old
lady perched lightly on its edge,
steadying herself with her gold
headed cane. The two brothers
stood. looking on with cold, dis
approving glances.
IL was not long before their
hostile presence began TO make
itself felt. On eby one. the dane
ers drifted into other rooms on
one pretext or another. and even
the musicians, who had been
swaying gayly TO their own wusic.
slumped into stolid impassiveness:
Interesting, isn't it?' asked
the professor again. THE effect
of some personalities is almost
hypnotic, you notice. Like an evil
deed that casts its shadow be-
fore it." .,
"Oh, guess not as bad a. all
that, Professor Shaw" Bob arose.
T think I'll see what | can do
to help Pearl John out for a while.
The party does seem to be SLOW
ing up"
He enlisted the aid of Ramon,
Angelique, and Betty, and for an.
other hour they all worked hard
to help Pearl John bring the party
back to semblance of'its former
gaiety. The doors of small adj
joining room were thrown open
and there stood a beautiful Christ
mas tree, twinkling with lights. its
branches bending under PACKAGE
in gay wrappings.
There were gifts for everyone,
and when they were. opened Bob
was astoniShed at the amount" OF
time and money Pearl John must
have spent on. them. The stir OF
excitement and pleasure over the
gifts, however, could not counter
act the icy effect of the attitude
of the older members of the fam
lily. Soon the young people began
to think about getting down from
the mesa, most of them using the
storm as an excuse to leave.
The last automobile load of de-
parting guests had begun weaving
its way through the blanket OF
snow, and Bob and Betty still
stood beside Pearl John in the
open doorway, waving a last fare
well, when Angelique, Joined them
She and Ramon were to stay until
the next day.
where is Ramon" she asked,
81 want to know what time. he
plans to leave in the morning.
Still showing, isn't it," She
frowned at the falling flakes.
"We'll start as early as we can
get away" answered Ramon be-
hind her. "At the rate this is
coming down, it won't take long
for the canyon to become i'm.
passable. Well, your party was :;
grand success. Pearl John, even
though something of strain,
fancy, for your brothers and
aunt"
"You think the others did have
a good time?" asked Pearl Johr
eagerly. at took a lot of persuad
ing to get the family to let mi
do this, and if it didn't go al
.Lz.ll Zeal gnr,.1rp