Henderson daily dispatch., 1936-03-16
CHAPTER A

agreed quietly I'm not going to
hand food to anybody not even
to you. I am merely going to be IN
the kitchen and supervise things Tor
Mrs. Steele"
THAT'S a help" he retorted Bit
terly. "You1l be in the kitchen! l
never heard of such nerve :. asking
you to do that. Does Selwyn know
NJ"
"Of course"
Sand he's going to let you?" Sher-
man looked incredulous.
"He told me to do as l liked"
"Then don't think I'm going to
the damned dinner excuse me.
but that's the way i about II"
"That would be very foolish. And
It certainly would be no kindness to
me-"
''Well. maybe not" he conceded.
II believe promised not to make
things difficult. and TIL try not to.
But everything ! told you yesterday
still goes Stronger than ever. I'll
do whatever you sa -. but l don't
like it. And I don't like it! If you
hear any china being smashed, you'll
know it's all your fault"
This time. Thora smiled.
"I'n have to be excused" she said
"wait a minute I came over to
inquire for his highness. Is he up
and about?"
II think Mr.. Babbas is in his
room. He was, not long ago"
"Then I'll go up with you and see
; II there Is anything l can do for the
poor guy. Barging around in the
dark, hear. and connected with a
door. Did you get any of the ghast-
~ details?"
"That was all I heard"
"Dumb thing to do. I don't wish
old Ali Babba any hard luck. but I
couldn't shed any tears now if that
party had to be called off, He's n!
the east room. isn't hep" They had
reached the head of the stairs now.
Eyes. In the east room"
'Thora was inclined to wish that
Mr.. Babbas would stay there rather
indefinitely. 1t was going to be an
ordeal to face him. What would be
, his attitude? She rather imagined
that he would ignore her completely.
and yet it was impossible not to fear
that his resentment ould be ex-
pressed privately. if not publicly. She
was not afraid in a physical sense;
she felt quite able to take care of
herself.
The ordeal came at lunch time.
Thora dreaded to look at Babbas,
when he entered the dining room.
From Mr. Marsh's account Of the
"shiner". she owned a guilty certain
ty that the guest was badly disfig-
ured. Her relief was great when she
took a quick glimpse Of the damage
she had inflicted There was dark
~ discolored spot beneath Ali Bah
bas' right eye, but it didn't look as
dreadful as sheahad imagined.
Mr.. Babbas seemed 'sperfectly at
ease. as he took his usual seat. He
looked directly at Thora, murmured
a polite greeting. Sherman Gordon
had been invited to remain for
luncheon and his presence helped; he
contributed to a general conversa-
~ CHAPTER 45
SELWYN MARSH attempted to
frown when he became aware of
Thora's speeches. gaze at his
changed appearance y in dinner
clothes. Instead, he smiled trife
sheepishly.
well? Do look as silly as I
feel?"
you you look .. NICE" It
was a stupid word to use, but Thora
could find nothing better at the mo-
ment. II hardly knew you" she
added hastily.
II don't WONDER" he agreed ami
ably. IT hardly know myself. Wilma
Insisted on my getting into harness
tonight. Said the other fools were
going to dress like head waters and.
as long as was to be on the pro-
gram. :. Does everything look all
right?" l..
Since It would have been unthink-
able to tell Selwyn Marsh that he
had transformed himself into very
MISUNDERSTANDING, and handsome,
gentleman, Thora Dahl contented
herself by tipping her head critically
to one side and remarldng:
"All except your tie. It's crooked"
II thought so. Can't. do one of
those bows to save my soul. VIII
you fix it?"
He stood with his chin raised
while Thora patted and pulled the
black bow into perfect knot. It
brought a sudden memory. How she
had stood by this very window, look
ing into EeIwyn Marsh's face as he
removed that cinder from her eye.
That was the first time she had seen
him. and how long ago it seemed.
And his hands had been 50 steady.
Her fingers were trembling &. a lit
tile.
There" She stepped back and
appraised her task. %That looks
much better. must go now. I will
ehe late"
"You're not punching . time
clock" he snapped. 'Besides, Pat is
going to run you over in the car"
oh. no please. I'd rather
walk. It isn't far"
arid prefer not to have you cut
ting across lots and in anybody's
back door. You'll drive around to the
front. Go out on the porch and wait
for Pat TIL call him."
It was more than an hour later
that Wilma entered the library to
and her father relaxed in his chair.
putting thoughtfully on his pipe.
"Dad!" she exclaimed reproach-
fully. "You'll get your shirt crushed,
sitting that way. And you have
ashes on yourself. Stand UP and let
ma dust Won off"