The Washington times., 1937-02-17

Dean Harcourt had been re-
sponsible for their decision to join
forces. Sonia had been somewhat
reserved at first, partly because
she felt a bit i'll at ease with a
comparative stranger in her house
after the many months of close
comradeship with Phyllis; partly,
too, because she had had letter,
that afternoon, brimming with un.
usual and absorbing interest.
Phyllis had written lengthily OF
her first impressions. The Glib.
sons had met her at the train
delightful people, Mr.. G. tall and
slim, Mrs. G.. short and fat, young
Gerry sweetly pert and pleasantly
spoiled. Drove home in big car
Huge house. Plenty of servants
Almost everything shiny new.
"And what do you think was
the first thing saw when I went
in? I'm trying to write about it
calmly, but 1 never was so com
pletely at a loss to know what to
do. tell you, for a minute I was
paralyzed. Mrs. Gibson was lead
ing the way through the wide hall
1 saw this red dog lying there,
chin on front paws, looking as if
it had lost its last friend, and it
seemed odd to me that it didn't
get up, as any normal dog ought tc
do, to welcome the family. Well
if you'll believe it-as soon as
passed the dog, it scrambled to its
feet and began to jump up on me
And Mr.. Gibson, following
shouted, What do you suppose
has got into that dog?" And Mrs.
Gibson seemed terribly embar-
raSSed.
Then it occurred to her that
I might want to go at once to my
room, so we went up, and the dog
came, too. She tried to drive it
downstairs, but it kept right be-
side me, so close I could hardly
keep on my feet. I told her she
might as we'll let the dog stay;
that it didn't bother me; and she
said it was the oddest thing-for
Sylvia didn't pay any attention to
anybody Wherever I go
there she is.
Mrs. Gibson explained that the
dog had been left in their care by
friend of Mr. Gibson'S who Is up
in the mountains hunting. OF
course I'm consumed by curiosity" "
Sonia had finished the rest OF
the letter hastily. Then she went
to the telephone and called Dean
Harcourt.
"I've heard from Phyllis"
Good! Make the trip comfort
ably?"
Yes. She is stopping at the Glib
sons until she locates permanent
living quarters. Who do you think
met her at the door when she ar
rlved?"
lone of the Pharaohs."
"Sylvia!"
Sylvia WHO?"
Don't you knoW?"
How should II"
SYLVIA PAIGE!" Sonia's voice
rose little higher than she hac
intended - almost an impatient
Shrek. There was a pause.
"Oh?" The Deans rising in
Election hinted that he was mildly
interested. so he's out in that
country, is he?"
"Yes-it'S a strang coinci
dence." Sonia's tone indicated that
there was a great deal more she
could say.
And how are you," he asked
paternally.
"Well-I'm just about the way
you'd think I'd be-With big mys
terry on my hands-and-and-"
"Yes-I realize that" said the
Dean Steadily-though Sonia fell
that he was smiling: it seemed
somehow to get into his calm
enunciation-"and is Elise with
you yet?"
Comes tonight"
There was another long pause
so long that Sonia said "Hello?'
Perhaps you'd better not con
fide anything to her about Sylvia
yet awhile. If she has anything
to impart, let her do it. I'm tolC
it is scustomary-anyhow-for tn
visiting lady to deal first"
Then Sonia laughed-and mur
INJURED something into the tele
phone that sounded like an en-
dearment that had got itsel
tangled up with an eXasperatior
Elise had returned very lat
from a rehearsal followed by
party and for a half-hour ha
been luxuriating on the daver
port in a pink negligee, readin
her mail. Suddenly she sat ur
I've found out who Nathan
Parker isl" declared Elise, meas