The Washington times., 1937-03-27

naturalization. Such as: THE
first year of every marriage is sup
posed to be difficult. Mines lit
tie more so than most, because De-
Mise fancied herself in love with
someone else. But now the some
one else will marry her sister
sooner or later; and after Denise
has faced that, we'll be all right
That business of years trial was
Just mad. No doubt Denise has
forgotten about it, because she
never mentions it, just writes in
the friendliest way that her par
ents are having a pleasant sum-
mer-and that sister OF hers is get
ting on all right"
More and more in retrospect did
he disapprove of Felicia. He re-
gretted the only one of his inten-
tionS that he had not accom-
plished was to see Eustace, and do
what he could for him. He had de-
layed his sailing home a week to
try to manage that, but had gone
to New Mexico-to learn that Eus-
tace was in New York. On reach
ing New York, he discovered that
Eustace had left for New Mexico
again a day earlier. So he had
sent him letter the day he sailed
with an offer of an excellent place
in a Vancouver company, and in
Structions as to whom he should
communicate with. So, with no
damage to his pride, the poor chap
would have decent income.
AS Gilbert endured the days and
the evenings of that calm voyage
that seemed so long, there were
hours whe, he felt uncertainty,
suspected that to get through a
summer away from Denise, he had
grown into the habit of putting a
much better face on things than
the facts puStified. The nearer he
approached the English coast, the
more that uncertainty increased,
as with time for contemplation
which the summer had not afford
ed, he began to remember precisely
sufficient instances of her discon.
tent.
At Southampton there was no
sight of her. and he was bitterly
disappointed. She had not come,
and she had sent no message! AS
they were finishing examining his
luggage at the customs. he was
heSitating as to whether to tele-
S11AnA +an INIJcn CJ1ccnv m l1jNsN
a car to drive there. or to go up to
London on the boat train and tel.
ephone from there to demand an
explanation. He began to be
angry; but he was, to a greater ex-
tent, alarmed! He had better tele-
phone at once.
A cool voice behind him said:
"Ah, there you are, Gilbert!
didn't quite get here in time"
He turned. Felicia! Shed recov.
cred a good part of her looks.
Where is Denise?"
She smiled vaguely. "Oh, well
and happy. She decided she'd
rather meet you at home, so I
drove over. All the way by myself!
I've roadster here. Can you sort
out what luggage you want imme.
diately?"
He was furious, but his old dis.
trust in her was sharply aroused.
1t was better to ask no questions
and to try to discover whatever-it.
was that she was SO obviously con.
cealing, by letting her talk.
What a miserable homecom.
ing!
Felicia seemed altogether dis.
inclined for conversation. She
drove at terrific pace, and, he
had to admit, superbly. The miles
slid behind them. When they
stopped for luncheon she asked
him trivial questions about his
summer. and volunteered him no
information about DeniSe'S sum.
mer at all!
When they were finishing coffee.
her hand on her small cup shook.
The cup droppedt, broke. Felicia
jumped with a suddenness that
startled him, made some slight
apology and sat down, her every
muscle tense. He guessed, then,
that she was raging, and in some
odd way terrified. But at what?
If she would not tell him, he
would not ask.
She said, to some expression In
his face: How fond you are of
me, Gilbert"
He answered as derisively: my
feelings about you are frightfully
important, aren't they?"
She shrugged and said: Lets
60 on home. It's a long way yet"
They turned into the driveway
at S o'clock.
A servant whom he did not hap.
pen to remember opened the door
Where is Denise?"
He did not ask aloud; but
Felicia answered just the same:
Denise will be in the garden
having tea, suppose. I forgot to
tell you that mother and father
were invited out today. Also, that
Denise probably isn't expecting
you, after ALL
He stared at her. The servant
stared at them both. Felicia
waved her hand to the door that
led to the ~arden. He went across
the hall and flung open the door.
Denise sat in a deep chair on
the terrace, in a white frock, her
shining head down-bent. Against
her knees Keith Sheldie sat, his