Evening star., 1936-05-13
rI;|E$VqMx%&%}2? II
&.%SW'wkATHLEEN NORRIS ~

Sensible, too. See that place,
that's Eucalyptus Court" Billy said,
gesturing with his left hand toward
a magnificent old place set in 10 level
acres of garden. That's Budgets
place. Old Budget was q highbinder
who used to do some business with
my father"
You two seem to be getting along
very nicely up there" George pres
emily interrupted in q yawning voice.
Isn't that Menlo Park?"
Here we are" Billy said. He
had turned on a curved drive into
q garden hidden among shrubs and
shadowed on this forbidding sunless
Winter day by trees; now he blew q
long blast on his motor horn that
brought lean boy Of II racing about
the big house and caused red
checked, drowsy little girl of or 10
to come. to open the front door.
Mother, they're here!" she called.
and Immediately Ellen Martell came
out of the dining room doorway and
welcomed her guests affectionately.
Somewhere in the late thirties, a
brown haired woman with round
brown eyes and a gentle manner, she
went upstairs with Tamara to the
guest room. The men disappeared
into the library.
Elinor, the sleepy, red-cheeked
child, watched Tamara brush up her
hair and change from her town suit
to a silk frock.
Mother, she Is like an actress!"
Elinor said admiringly Tam touched
the child's small turned-up nose with
her hairbrush.
II was an actress until last Summer,
darling"
"Oh, mol" Elinor said, awed.
"Oh, yes. Do you like actresses?"
"Well, they scare me-" Elinor said.
'I don't see that anything scares
you," her mother said. Staring poor
Mrs. Davis out Of countenance, that
way! Would you like to lie down
and rest for a while, Mrs. Davis?
Shall we disappear"
"Oh. please don't!" Tam begged.
stretching out an impulsive hand. Il
like to-to be with people. I'M"
Her eyes met those of the other
woman. I'm anxious she said
simply.
You must be. OF course. it's ter
ribly-worrying," Ellen Martell said
sympathetically. We'll, let's go down
and find these men. It's so horrid
out that Billy was suggesting a game
of bridge; they can't play golf; it's
going to rain. And my father adores
an afternoon game of bridge of all
thingS!"
The quiet, infinitely pleasant routine
of the big household enveloped Tam.
1t was impossible to worry in this
atmosphere of confidence, normality.
She and her hostess descended to a
swapping living room fire. Ellen Mar.
tells brisk old father was active in
setting up a green table, hunting out
complete card packs. There was no
pencil anywhere. 1T is extraordinary
to me that cannot seem to keep a
pencil in that game closet!" Ellen said.
A capped and aproned maid came
In to say respectfully that Martin
would like to know how many for
dinner.
Billy. how many for dinnerq Do
help me-" Mrs. Martell called to the
men. who now emerged from the
library. Are you staying, MAXI"
Il can't" Max Martell said. Lou is
having people in. How do you do, Mrs.
Davis? No, can't stay, Ellen. How
do you do, DR.. Alexander? 1t looks
as if you people were going to be cut
ting each others throats in about two
seconds. Good-by, every one!"
Aunt Ellen" tall boy said in the
doorway. dads going, but he says I
can stay if you want me. Do you
want me?"
"Of course, I want you, Max. But
tell Martin and telephone your
mother"
"Dad'l tell mother. I'll catch him"
The boy disappeared and an anxious
little girl in raincoat took his place
IN the doorway to ask timidly:
''Is Elinor here?"
Upstairs, Grace Marian. She was
here minute ago. She's been trying
to telephone you all day"
Il was at the daintist ;" Grace
Marian giggled on fading voice. She
went away and Mrs. Martell spread
the pack briskly.
Cut. every one! I'm out No, Billy,
DON'T want to be out. I have to
telephone and send some flowers to
Ann cambridge. No. honestly. father,
really want to be out You two take
the Davises on and trim them nicely"
(To be continued.)