The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1936-04-09

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him closely.
upward of four years, SIR" Boyn-
ton replied, with a straightforward
look at his questioner.
u $50 long? Well, Boynton, you
mustn't take it ill if I ask few
questions This is all a grave matter
] very grave. You were also valet to
Mr.. Malden?"
''When he wished it, sir. He was a
man practically without a home. Of
course, he lived here, but he was
away more than at home. He kept a
suote of rooms at his hotel in Phila-
delphia all the time, and that was
his real home. But, if I may say this,
after he became a friend of Miss
Perilla, he spent much time in New
York. When they became engaged
he was willing, of course, to live
wherever she wanted, and they
bought the New York apartment
ALI this you know, sir.
eyes, of course. Now, Boynton, an
swer this carefully and truthfully.
You were with Mr.. and Mrs. Maiden
all the way to Washington. Did you
ever have the slightest reason to
think that my daughter was not
deeply in love with her husband,
and he with herr"
Never, sir. If ever on the face of
Gods earth a married pair were de-
votedly in love with each other,
those two were. I am not the sort to
eavesdrop, but nobody could doubt
the affection that showed in their
every word and deed
"Where were you educated, Boyn-
TONI"
The man looked up quickly, but
answered, simply: "At Columbia
university, sir. But I didn't special
ize, and the crash came, and I could
get no position such as wanted. So,
as I am mechanican by nature, I
CHANGED upon this job with Mr.. NAL
den, and gladly took it. It leaves
me a bit of time to read, and I don't
expect to be chauffeur all my life.
Will you dress for dinner now, sir?
It's getting on
Every we'll One more question;
are you loyal to Mrs. Maiden, my
daughter?"
John Lowell was looking straight
into the others eyes, and on Boyn-
toms rather good-looking face he
saw nothing but absolute frankness
and honesty. But it seemed to him
that Boynton quivered his eyelashes
ever so slightly, as he replied:
GAS was to my master, sir. had
the most sincere respect and admira-
ton for him, and, if may say so, I
have the same feelings toward his
WIFE,"
A little time later, a correctly at
tired, if somewhat bewildered gen.
tleman, went downstairs to the
drawingroom. His hostess awaited
him, impressive looking in a dull,
heavy robe of black.
A variety of cocktails was offered
him, in which Mrs. Maiden joined
him, and he noted with relief that
the effect upon her was pleasantly
exhilarating.
"Your daughter will not dine with
us, understand" she said; perhaps
it is just as WELL"
''Nor shall I dine with you, ma
dame, if you make any remark or
observation that can be construed as
slight upon my daughter. I may as
well tell you now that at any such
remark will leave your table. re-
gret extremely that feel the neces-
sity Of saying this:
"You are outspoken, Mr.. Lowell"
and the bright, beady eyes looked
sharply at him, 'but that permits me
to be out spoken, too
And then Pierre, the impressive
looking French major-domo, an
nounced dinner and stopped to assist
his mistress from the room.
Lowell followed Mrs. Maiden, to
find, as he had anticipated, sump-
tuous dinner, deliberately served.
She did full justice to the viands,
and her guest concluded that, what
ever allied her mind, her digestion
was all right.
The conversation was restricted to
general subjects.
With the dessert Lowell allowed
himself to introduce the topic Of
Malcom's arrival.