The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1936-06-04
Copyright by Carolyn Wells.
WNU Service.


"And when is Farman to put in an
appearance here?" asked Stone.
Soon. In few days, I fancy
though couldn't find out exactly. l
thing he means to feather his nest
right well out of the Maiden mil
lions, aided and abetted by friend
Carleton"
"Corey Maiden was always too
fond of his friends" Stone observed;
he could see no fault in them. An
admirable trait, but it doesn't al
ways work out for the best. What
did you make of Carmichael?"
IT didn't see much of him, but he
seemed to me to ring true. He adj
mires Perilla immensely, but who
doesn't. He's not on good terms with
Carleton, though he pretends to be-.
He doesn't like Tony Gaskell, either.
And he has a grudge of some sort
against Mr.. Garth. That side of him
didn't like so much. AS you say,
Maiden was too lepient toward his
friends, but Carleton is the other
way. He has a down on almost eve
rybody, and I don't understand it.
Why, he hardly knows Tony, and
Mr.. Garth he has never met. Yet,
with it all, trust him-'way ahead
of Richard Carleton"
I'm glad to get these hints, Bob.
I think I shall 60 to Washington as
soon as Perilla's California party
gets started, and what you've told
me will be help. You're going on
the trip?"
IF you don't want me here"
mo, I want you there. You're to
keep a general watch out and give
an alarm if anything is alarming I
fear something may turn up, but
may be over-apprehensive. I'll hold
the fort here, and of course, they'll
have meetings of the executors,
which I shall manage to attend-one
way or another. Now, I want that
expedition to start as soon as may
be Better run up there and see Mrs.
Maiden. I'm giving stirrup-cup
party the night before you go, so tell
her I'm ready for that when she is. F"
Bob found Perilla in, and she
summoned Mr.. Buckle, who was to
attend to everything in any way per-
tanning to the trip. His duties en-
braced arranging itineraries, tele-
phoning ahead for hotel accommo-
dations, looking after luggage, say
ing when to go and when to stop; in
short, he was the major domo.
They decided to go the next day
but one. They would spend the first
night in Warren, Ohio, and the Sec
ond in Columbus. It was decided
that Stones party the next evening
should include only those going on
the trip, Perilla's parents, and few
others at Perilla's discretion.
The Dunstans, though prominent
members of the touring crowd, were
unable to be with the others, having
accepted invitations to another fare
yelling among some friends of their
own. The guests were gay and mer-
ry. but it could be easily seen that
it was an effort to preserve this
mood.
Perilla, herself, began to waver a
little as to the wisdom of her plans.
She said so to Tony Gaskell. ''I wish
you were going, Tony" she said;
you're always so dependable and
reliable"
Lots of things I'd rather be called
than those two" and Tony made a
wry face. Here, you, Bob! let that
bottle alone. I'll give you highball.
Look out for this lad on the trip,
Perilla; he's getting too handed
with the stuff There, son, that'll do
for you now"
Bob grinned and took the modest
drink offered him, reinforcing it at
first chance.
''You must stay overnight, Tony,
Stone said; "you have to be here to-
morrow"
Cali right, Stone, mean to stay
over But if you're crowded I'll go to
a hotel"
'Not crowded a bit Nobody here
but Coles and you and me-"
every well, then, I'll stay here,
and mighty glad to do 500
Perilla took Jane and Hilda and
went home early, and not much later
Malcolm and the Lovells went home.
The three ment left in Stones apart
ment sat in silence for time.
II do like Mr.. Lowell" Stone said;
lie ) 1CVGl-nGdOGO, anu lie DIS US-
voted to those two children as if
they were his own. Malcolm's good
sort, too, and he sure looks after his
sister,"
what a lovely thing she is" said
Gaskell, fairly hurting out the
words, as if unable to repress them
longer.
eve all agree to that" said Bob,
with sigh. "Well, me for bed. Come
on, Gaskell, let's leave our host to
check up his notes of this evenings
doing"
''Wait minute" Stone held them;
'fwl1o are these Dunstans?"
Nobody in particular" Bob told
him. 'Old friends of the family, go
ing along rather as chaperons, |
think. And now, me for bed. No
more er-liquidation, I asume?"
mol" and his host scowled. I'LL
put YOU in Buckles care. Bob, and if