The Coolidge examiner., 1937-03-04
CHAPTER I-COntinued

Dollars to doughnuts. n a
guy!" Her expression was Scorn-
full. what Cecily sees in him"
She broke off, her announcement OF
the unknown rival apparently
checked by an idea. when you get
there" she said, you can do some
thing for me-"
"Out there" meant Meadow
brook" of course. Now for explana-
tions.
Can II" Jim asked, stalling for
time, curious to discover her real
interest in the Vaughn estate.
'You can tell Tommy" She
paused to find fitting words in which
to phrase her message. The scorn-
full expression was gone. Again Jim
observed her former air of secret
amusement, the mischief glinting
like dancing imps in her eyes. Tell
Tommy not to come in tonight. Pri-
vately, if you know what mean.
You look like pretty good egg"
Tommy! Complications were in
creasing. Jim realized the advisa-
bility of clearing himself at once.
I'D be glad to take your message, "
he said, land you could rely on my
discretion. But I'm not going to
'Meadowbrook.
The blue eyes widened. Jim
thought he detected about her
mouth return of the scornful ex-
preston.
"You aren't afraid of him, are
you?" she asked.
The words implied compliment.
Jim felt little embarrassed. He
shouldn't have let her assume that
he was on his way to the Vaughn
estate. He shouldn't have encour-
aged her to talk of the family there.
She'd probably be offended.
''Oh no." he said, smiling shade
uneasily. ITS merely that-Well,
it's too hot to walk three miles"
Walk" she echoed. Jim read
in her incredulous expression the
thought running through her mind.
She probably presumed that he had
a fleet of Daimlers anchored at the
curbing outside. Or Packard, at
least ia roadster, perhaps, with
leather upholstery and a flock of
tricky gadgets.
81 came out on the train" he
said. They weren't expecting me. "
He hoped she wouldn't refer to the
garage or the sedan placarded
TAXI.
She mentioned neither the taxi nor
the garage. After a moment OF
thought she produced instead, an
original suggestion.
Il know!" Her voice was warm
with enthusiasm. I'VE have some
things to send to Clarke's. Their
place is mile this side of Meadow
brook You can ride out with Her
bert"
mo, thank you," Jim said hasti
ly. I'm taking the first train back
into town" He glanced at his
watch. mo, I'm not" he added ir
an altered voice. i've missed thai
one by IS minutes"
Herb won't mind you riding with
him." She slipped down from the
stool and glanced at Jim with q
mischievous expression. You coulc
walk a mile, couldn't you?" she
asked. You look as though yol
could, mean you aren't cripple!'
Il might manage a mile" jim
hesitated. But I don't like to i'm
pose"
Forget it! Herb likes company
Wait just second"
She disappeared through an open
ing in the rear partition of the
store and Jim heard, indistinctly, {
nurmured conversation. His new
acquaintance, he thought, was {
capable young lady. He couldn' t
with decency, refuse her friendly
suggestion. Whatever his persona
inclinations might be, he was abou
to visit Meadowbrook.
Why not go? Impulse pointed il
that direction. Personal inclination
he had to admit, was in favor O
seeing the project through. But hi
had forsworn impulses. He had re
solved, less than an hour ago, tt
have no further dealings witt
treacherouS inclinations. He wa!
going back to Long Island and ash
lenore to marry him. Kay woulc
approve whole-heartedly. Vic, hel
husband, would give him his bless
ing and check. He and Lenore
would be married and live hap
Seu. live ever after.