Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1937-07-08

eyes, of course. It would" Vance
nodded. "But tell me, wouldn't you
rather not have to work for your
iving?"
She looked up.
perhaps. But isn't it natural
for every woman to prefer luxury
and security to drudgery and un-
certainty?"
''No doubt" said Vance. "And
speakin' of nursing, just what do
you think of Mrs. Gardens condi-
tion?"
Miss Beeton hesitated before she
answered:
Really, I don't know what to say.
I can't understand it. And / rather
suspect that Doctor Siefert himself
is puzzled by it. Mrs. Garden is
obviously a sick woman. She shows
many of the symptoms of that nerv-
Gus, erratic temperament exhibited
by people suffering from cancer.
Though she's much better some
days than others, know that she
suffers a great deal. Doctor Siefert
tells me she is really a neurology
cal case; but I get the feeling, at
times, that it goes much deeper
that an obscure physiological condi-
ton is producing the neurological
symptoms she shows"
'That's most interestin'. Doctor
Siefert mentioned something of the
kind to me only a few days ago."
Vance moved nearer to the girl.
"Would you mind telling me some
thing of your contacts with the
members of the household"
"There's very little to tell. Pro-
lessor Garden practically ignores
me-half the time I doubt if he
even knows I am there. Mrs. Gar
den alternates between periods of
irritable admonition and intimate
confidence. Floyd Garden has al
ways been pleasant and consider
ate. I've rather liked him for his
attitude"
'And what of Swift-did you see
much of him?"
The girl seemed reluctant to an
swer.
"The truth is, Mr.. Swift asked
me several times to go to dinner
and the theater with him. I got the
impression that he was one of those
unhappy men who feel their inferi-
GRITTY and seek to bolster themselves
up with the affections of women.
think that he was really concerned
with Miss Graem, and merely
turned to me through pique."
Vance smoked for few moments
in silence. Then he said:
"What of the big race today? Had
there been much discussion about
it,"
"Oh, yes. For over a week I've
heard little else here. A curious
tension has been growing in thu
house. I heard Mr.. Swift remark
to Floyd Garden one evening that
the Rivermont Handicap was his
one remaining hope, and that he
thought Equanimity would win."
"Was it generally known to the
other members of the afternoon
gatherings how Swift felt about this
race and Equanimity?"
eyes, the matter was freely dis
cussed for days"
"By the BY" asked Vance, show
did you come to bet on Azure Starr"
Frankly" the girl confessed shy
ly, "I've been mildly interested in
the horse betting parties here,
though I've never had any desire
to make a wager myself. But I
overheard you tell Mr.. Garden that
you had picked Azure Star, and
the name was so appealing that I
asked Mr.. Garden to place that bet
for me. 1t was the first time I
ever bet on a horse"
"And Azure Star came in" Vance
sighed. "Too bad. Actually you
bet against Equanimity, you know
he was the favorite. A big gamble.
Most unfortunate that you won. Be-
ginner's luck, d. We see, is always
fatal"
The girls face became suddenly
sombre, and she looked steadily at
Vance for several moments before
she spoke again.
= do you really think it will prove
fatal?"
eyes. Oh, yes. Inevitable. You
won't be able to resist making 9TH
er wagers. One doesn't stop with
the first bet if one wins. And, in
variably, one loses in the end"
Again the girl gave Vance long
and troubled look; then her gaze
drifted to the darkening sky over
head.
"But Azure Star is a beautiful
name, isn't it?" She pointed up
ward. "There's one now"
We all looked up. High above we
saw a single bright star shining
with blue luminosity in the cloud
less sky. After a moment Vance
moved toward the parapet and
looked out over the waters of the
river to the purpling hills and the
still glowing sunset colors in the
west.
mo city in the world" Vance
said, "is as beautiful as New York
seen from vantage point like this
in the early twilight" Il wondered