The Wilmington morning star., 1940-08-01
CHAPTER T"HIRTY-THREE

CHAPTER IHlhIY-IHhEE
Mr.. Merrifield, Jeremy, Bill and
Gayle dined together this evening.
Mr.. Weems had gone to visit a
friend across town. But the elder
ly secretary's absence made nc
particular difference because the
dinner was ~funereal anyway.
The three young folk responded
very politely to Mr.. Merrifield's
conversational efforts, but they inl'
tiated nothing and they showed
none of their accustomed gaiety
The old gentleman, Of course, per
ceived it; quietly he studied their
faces, but learned nothing definite.
When dessert was done he smack
ed his lips in audible satisfaction
at the meal, wiped his face and
dropped the napkin onto his plate.
Something is disturbing my
young guests" he announced.
Gayle turned a little pink, even
though she did not look at him. The
truth was, she felt that RESPONSE
bility for the somberness here was
her own. Tacitly he had placed her
in a position as hostess at e
Oaks, and a hostess is expected to
keep everyone happy.
II went riding this morning
with jeremy" Gayle finally said,
smiling. my muscles IRE woefully
out of condition, for horseback"
1t was enough to break the spell
of gloom. Jeremy smiled, and the
other laughed outright.
80 you took the young lady rid
ing, Jeremy his grandfather said.
young sir, l envy you'll"
Now it was Jeremy's turn to
blush. He tried to answer, but Bill
beat him to it.
$50 do l." Bill declared. Whats
Jeremy got that we haven't got,
Mr.. Merrifield? Aren't we as ire
sistable as he?"
The old gentleman chuckled. 1t
delighted his soul thus to be well
coined into their comradeship and
banter on occasions. 1T may be
my gray hairs" he suggested, "but
you, Mr.. Bailey, have no obvious
faults"
1T could be-" Gayle said, smil-
ing, that neither of you asked me
and Jeremy did. Don't you think
500"
The old man knew he had sue
ceeded then. Succeeded in driving
away reticence and gloom. For a
half hour or SO they all talked
pleasantly, even Jeremy entering
into the spirit of fellowship more
than he usually did. This later fact
delighted his grandfather still
more. Finally Mr.. Merrifeld arose.
"Whatever was troubling you
three seems to have subsidized" he
stated. Il hope it was nothing SER
ious. Worry and fretting is for old
men such as I, not for youth" He
turned to leave the room.
Il hope I'm half as cheerful at
7o as you are, MI. Merriield," Bill
declared, and to that Gayle and
Jeremy added agreement.
The three young people drifted
aimlessly out onto the broad front
porch then and sat together in a
canopied canvas swing, a soft,
Shutdown thing suspended by
springs. Bills long legs pushed to
keep them swaying gently while
they talked.
The talk here carefully avoided
what had been on their minds most
of the day. Absolutely no mention
was made of Lola Montesa, nor OF
Bills embarrassing episode with
her. For this, at least he was
grateful. He was glad to have the
talk kept to horseback riding and
other assorted things.
II have given some thought to-
All - that which you suggested,
Gayle" Jeremy ventured. II refer
to the the riding party"
"Oh. Of course, Jeremy! You'll
love it. You could even do it at
night now, there's such a tremen-
dous moon on duty"
THAT would be pleasant. Should
1-would you say that l just tele-
phone the others? 1 feel as if"
Surely. Just telephone anybody
you liked at the party here, Jer-
envy, and invite them to be your
guest On a riding party" Gayle
spoke, as if she were a doting big
sister. Say that you will provide
the horses and that you will start
BELLA ~LANAN-COURT hi