The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-03-04

women, these young wives of men who had lost money through Ken- drick were not as willing as their husbands to forgive and forget Q fi- financial misfortune at the hands of e friend.
 Their spokesman, over the tea. cups which Helen brought out for her unexpected callers, was Mrs Charles Horton. By her own proud account, Mrs. Horton had recently wasted the sum of 91yS0O in all ill- advised purchase of furniture, but at the moment her mind was con- centrating on al even 4l,O00 which her husband had given to Kendrick for investment.
 "It's al laround town, my dear" said Mrs. Horton, "that Marcia knew where Frank was and flew out to meet him. Do you suppose that's true?"
 Don't you think Marcia should have the opportunity of giving her own answers?" retorted Helen. "It doesn't seem very friendly, I must say. She'll be home this evening Why should we talk about her in the rneantime?"
 Well except that 1t would be rather embarrassing to go to her and ask the blunt question. One would like to know the answer in advance, if you understand what I mean"
 Marcia arrived in New York soon after 6 o'clock and, telephon- ing home, reached Bobbs Neck an hour later. She was met by the chauffeur, and went home to din- ner, served by a relieved 'Awkins
 "So many people have been call- ing about you, Miss Marcia" he told her. And this afternoon we had telegram from your father, saying you were safe, although, ot course, we had had your message through Miss Waddell earlier. There's the telephone now. Shall IT tell them you cannot be dis turbed?"
 "Why, mo-" said Marcia. "I'll talk with them"
 'Awkins reported that Heler Waddell was on the wire.
 I'm coming straight over," said Helen when Marcia answered Don't tell me I can't, because I'm on my way"
 So little did Marcia suspect that any furor had been created by mere surmise that she was totally unprepared for Helen's news.
 Why the flashing eyes and in- dignant bearing2" Marcia asked Sore because I'm alive and well or has that chair 8 pin in it?"
 ITO come right out with the news" said Helen, "the village has taken to It's bosom the charming thought that you found out where Frank was and flew out to see him. "
 And 50 I did" replied Marcia, "only I didn't see him. But you mean the gossip has been going around2 Well, we might have ex- pected that - in fact, we did ex- pect 1t. We both mentioned 1t when we were talking at your house the other morning. How did people get on to us 50 soon2"
 Believe 1t or not, your old pal, Dorothy Osborn, grabbed the Idea out of thin air and nursed 1t along until 1t became a village pet. She said she saw you leaving town and you said you were going to sche- nectady--"
 "Oh, heavens, so didl" said Marcia. And only thought was being funny"
 "-and when your name was on the list of passengers missing on the plane from Chicago, Dorothy added Schenectady to Chicago and spelled out Frank Kendrick." Marcia smiled ruefully. How could one impulse that drove ire sistibly at critical moments when only action, not thought, seemed possiblep How could she satisfy the losers in the Kendrick embezZle- ments that she had excellent inten- tons in their behalf, instead of only for herself? In heavens name, did they think she had rushed out to Chicago for her own sake, perhaps to plead for reinstatement in the de- faulter's heart?
 And now that you have failed to see him." said Helen, they'll bowl all the harder. They'll say, If Marcia had only let someone else know, we might have caught up with him. /. You know, no one is actually certain that you'd found out where Frank was"
 Marcia strengthened. But I'll admit I did" she said.
 Helen appraised her grimly.