The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1936-07-02

She was reused from her thoughts
by the, voice of Tony Gaskell, who
Ipiloted her out to his waiting car.
Malcolm was there, too, already well
coming Jane,
Fleming Stone and Garth said
goodby for the present and went
their ways, as the quartet started to-
wards Perilla's home.
''Take me right home, NAL" she
asked, "but Tony, you take Jane
around to see mother; she'll be hum
cry for news"
/ I''I'm certainly going with you,Y
said Malcolm. 81 want to protect you
from the old 'un."
eyes, send Tony along with me-"
said Jane, laughing. ''You don't want
too many breaking in on the dow
ager duchess"
When Perilla entered her apart
ment the sour-faced creature en-
sconced on "love-seat" favored her
daughter-in-law with a baleful
glance and seemed to shrink from
her as the girl came forward. But
Perilla bravely put forth a welcom-
ing hand, which the old lady ignored.
"Well," she said, biting off her
words, so you're up to your tricks
again. suppose you killed off that
poor young man, for reasons of your
own, just as you killed my son."
Perilla drew herself up with a new
dignity.
MADAME Maiden" she said, you
shall not remain under my roof and
talk to me like that. am in my
own home now, not yours, and for
bid any remarks or hints suggesting
that I would harm the man l loved.
One more, such speech, and / shall
have you removed, forcibly, if nee
essary."
"Hoity toity," almost screamed the
dame. 'Who are you to dictate what
I shall say or leave unsaid?"
ct am the woman your son loved
enough to make his wife, and as his
widow shall protect his memory,
even from his own mother.
''Fine talk!' said the old lady,
Every fine talk, but you must know
there's another side to that story
Where's Farman! Farman, where are
your"
The lawyer, who must have been
within hearing distance, came into
the room, sheepishly.Like all DULLES,
Farman was a coward, and he began
to be afraid of this new Perilla. Still
wearing her hat and furs she stood
facing Madame Maiden, and her attl-
tude, as Malcolm said afterward, was
terrible as an army with banners"
"What are you doing here, MIR.
Farman?" Perilla asked, >scornfully.
rs it your habit to settle down IN
houses where you are not invlted?"
"'He is invited, Madame Maiden
squealed 81 invited him myself. This
is my sons house, and as such l am
mistress here
'No," said Perilla, quietly, mo,
Madame Maiden, you are not mis-
tress here Any more than I am mis-
tress of your house. And unless you
make yourself more possible, you
cannot stay here"
"You may not be staying here
yourself, Mrs. Maiden" said Farman,
his little eyes glazing at Perilla. "You
may find yourself in that building
that New York boasts, with an un-
beautiful name, The Tombs."
"And you may find yourself in
prison for that very speech!" cried
Malcolm, angered beyond caution.
"Shall I put him out, Perilla?"
eyes. Ring that second bell for
Dillon"
'Don't trouble" said Farman,
striving to be sarcastic but only sue
ceeded in showing fear. I'm only
too glad to go, anyway. You see,
Madame Maiden, can't stay here"
you're right, you can't" and Mall
colin took him by the arm and put
him through the door into the hall.
you'll be out of this house in fifteen
minutes, or I'll know the reason
why"
Farman, really glad to get away
from conditions that seemed to be
getting more formidable, basely de-
serted his employer and fled.
"Come back herep' Madame NAL
den screamed. "Come back, Farman,
I want you'll"
81 DON'T" said Perilla, calmly, "and
he won't come back"
"Glad he's to be out of my rooms"
n ~