The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1940-05-30
that afternoon. There was a care

! enclosed across which he had
scrawled. Will send a car for you,
Tony. Janet made another face.
She did not want him to do the
gracious thing in her behalf. She
never had wanted to be compelled
to think better of him. She was
froWning when she came down.
stairs to wait for the car. To her
establishment she found old Mr..
Jacoby posed on the front stoop
in an ancient frock coat and
striped gray trousers, wearing a
white daisy in his buttonhole.
"Ready?" he inquired in an
eager voice. maybe you'd better
look me over. It's many year
since I've been to a party"
Janet could not believe her
ears. you're going to the teal"
"The boy wouldn't take no for
an answer" said Mr.. Jacoby
proudly. "We've grown to be
pretty good pals, you know, I and
Tony. He comes by every now
and then to talk to me. Says he
has to hear from my trick knee
before he makes any plans for the
day. Reckon he knows I get tole-
rable lonesome with no one to
yarn to. Reckon he's got a heart
as big as all outdoors, that Tony"
Janet shook her head. ''1've Civ
en- up trying to figure Tony Ryan
out"
At that moment a new and very
glittering closed car drove up to
the gate. Deke in a Respondent
chauffeur's uniform was at the
| wheel. He got out and with a
flourish ushered Janet and Mr..
Jacoby into the car.
It was a crisp blue and gold
August afternoon. The lawn at
the old house flashed like emer-
aids as they drove in.
Tony Ryan in immaculate white
flannels was standing in the
doorway with Stephen Hill. Hi,
MIR. Jacoby, how's the boy?" cried
Tony.
He came forward and wrung
Mr.. Jacoby's hand.
Shortly after more guests be-
gan to dribble in. Janet stood be-
tween Tony and Steve Hill just
inside the front parlor. Priscilla
and her crowd were late in ar
irving.
It was then Janet began to rea-
live that the guests presented a
curious assortment. Deke had
driven up not once, but twice,
with the closed car. He brought
first a little, dried-up old lady
with bright inquisitive face.
"How are you, Mrs. Delancey!
cried Tony Ryan. "Sure it's swell
to see your
Mrs. Delaney patted his arm.
Zone of my oldest and best
friends, Mrs. Kate Delancey," said
Tony to Janet.
"Pleased to meetcha, love-"
murmured the old Irishwoman.
Janet could not see the guest
whom Horace was admitting, but
she recognized Priseilla's trium-
plant voice.
Tony" she was saying, "the
house is gorgeous! Darling, I can't
think of a lovelier time to an
nounce our engagement" =.
Something inside Janet seemed
to be tearing itself loose from the
roots. It was no news that Pris-
ella and Tony were. going to be
married. Janet had understood as
much from the first. Yet to hear
their engagement put into words
in a formal announcement was
something she felt incapable of
| facing.
Janet and Stephen Hill with
out conspicuous success attempted
to unite the various cliques. ia
net went over and chatted with
the Earl of Jersey for whom she
was achieving an affection. Tony
was talking to Rufe when Janet
with Mrs. Delaney clinging to
her arm approached Mrs. Henry
Leigh.
"This is one of Tony's oldest
friends" said Janet. II thought
you'd like the privilege of TAX
ing her in to tea."
Mrs. Leigh coldly surveyed the
awful spectacle of the old Irish
woman's hat. Sorry" murmured
Priscilla's mother loftily. I'm not
having tea till later
Kate Delancey's Celtic temper
rose to the bait. Faith" quoth
she, 81 can remember, Jennie,
when you'd have tainted all over
your fathers butcher shop if some
one had offered We tea in the mid
die of the afternoon"
Mrs. Leigh turned purple and
Janet, suppressing grin, took
Mrs. Delaney in to tea herself.