The Wilmington morning star., 1940-08-06
cuApTER THIRTY-SEVEN

city's most aggressive and most
successful s-ciety editor, reasoned
that The Oaks was likely to be
frequent source of society news
after the re-opening of the old man.
sion. She had dropped in on the
party given for Jeremy and had
attended the play MAID to Meas
ire" She had waited a few days
after that (but with an ear to pos
sible hearsay news around town.
and when she felt that the time
was ripe she drove her car out to
The Oaks again. She arrived there
on the afternoon when the young
people were discussing the new
play. Indeed, she was scant 10
minutes behind Lola Montesa, who
had startled all the others by her
unexpected return. Graham an
nounced Mrs. Van Orsdale to
Gayle.
"Oh! Yes, please ask her to come
right on out here with us, Gra-
ham,"
That's exactly what Mrs. Molly
preferred. She could "sit in with
the planning. She greeted all of
them cordially, pumped down into
the big swing beside Gayle and
Lola.
whenever these many young
sters are in a huddle,' she began,
smiling, there is bound to be
news. Now somebody just start
talking and I'll hold up my big
ears"
Bill spoke then. mot much So
ciety news, I'm afraid. We were
just discussing the new play. Mrs.
Van Orsdale."
THE new play? New play?
Young man, that's certainly
news!"
They outlined it for her, dis
cussed it and enjoyed having her
enter into the planning as if she
were one of them. Molly Van Ors-
dale could be at home practically
anywhere and make herself a Joy
there. ALI at once she turned to
Lola.
And will you sing again in this
play?" she asked. II so enjoyed
your music in the other one. And
you're such lovely person, my
dear!"
Lola's eyes dropped. Thank
you," she said. II love thee music
Iss good to seeng.'
Bill was gesturing with his play
script, pointing to them. "She-
she surely will sing again in this
one, Mrs. Van Orsdale! Every
body liked her music
The others were even more en-
thusiastic. It may be, because of
the strained situation regarding Lo-
la, that Gayle and Bill and Jeremy,
and to a lesser extent the other
girls, overdid h ir enthusiasm.
Tempe Hyde, alone of those pres
ent, had nothing to say, and she
was Slightly conspicuous therefor
Bill observed again the quick flash
OF pouting, or anger or hatred-he
wasn't sure just what-that her
countenance revealed. Not even
Tempe's spectacles afforded su-
cient cover.
While the women present seemed
all to talk at once, Bill speculated
for moment on the types before
him. He had hired six of them
himself, selected them from sew
eral hundred who came by invita-
ton to MIR. Merrifield's home. They
were chosen primarily for beauty,
and had not disappointed in this.
He had shrewdly judged their in
telligence, too. But-he was real
lzing more and more-he had Civ
en- no attention whatsoever to what
might be termed emotional varia-
tions. He had not thought of what
attachments and friendships and
loves and angers and jealousies
might grow out of six youthful
hearts, nor indeed what peculiar
didoes his own heart might under
60 while dealing with the girls.
Bill had imagined himself hard.
Because he had torn through the
strongest football tacklers in his
college conference a few months
ago, and because he was pretty
good at swimming and boxing as
well, he naively imagined himself
immune to sentiment. To his great
Bella LANAN- -COTTRT RE