Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1940-05-18
CHAPTER FOURTEEN

SG1AI 1 LII T oOIe L EC1N
GAYLE HAD a succession of
minor problems to solve on Tues
day morning. She had scarcely fin
ished her breakfast when Celeste,
the chambermaid hired for her per-
sonal benefit, came to her with re-
erets that she would have to re-
sign.
There's been an emergency,
MISS" Celeste said. II must go at
once. I will send someone from the
agency for you, though"
The new maid came before noon.
She seemed efficient and well man.
nered, had adequate references.
Gayle gave her the job. with Mr..
Weems' approval. Her name was
Maudie and she was quite plain of
face.
Before noon, too, there was a
difficulty with trades union man,
who came protesting the fact that
the orchestra hired for that night
was non-union. Bill had engaged
musicians from his own college
crowd, youngsters he knew could
play well.
The decorator with his flowers,
Wallace, the cook, with his plans
for refreshments the would toler-
ate no outside caterer), both had
to be helped, and Gayle seemed to
do most of their thinking. Bill had
forgotten to tell the six other girls
not to come that day, and so they
showed: up for work" at 8 a. m.
as usual.
For an hour the girls just stood
around, trying to help, but in the
way, really. Finally Gayle had an
inspiration. She dashed upstairs to
the library and grabbed Jeremy
by the lapels.
Jeremy, you've got to come and
help me a bit. This is your party
anyway. Look! The girls for the
play are here, but there is simply
no time nor place for rehearsals in
the house. Won't you drop your
library work for once and go help
them ?"
Jeremy looked very serious. AL
most shocked, in fact.
"H-help them? You mean"
Sure. Be a sport, please. Take
them out on the laWn-it's grand
out this morning-and find shady
spot and talk to them"
Talk to them" Jeremy was at
loss for proper words.
Sure. Just, well, lecture them
on the drama, and help them re-
hearse the play. They are d--.ight-
full girls. really. Jeremy, you must
cultivate friendships among them,
among all young people like that.
Why, We'll begin to think you are
an old stick-in-the-mud"
She smiled sweetly at him to
take the thorns out of her repri-
mand, but he understood the truth
of her warning. AS matter of
fact, he quite realized his need for
experience among girls. He had
been secretly reading works on ETH
quette and conversation of late,
anyway. He really wanted to do
what Gayle asked.
Thanks! I knew you would,
Jeremy. Come on"
He hadn't even nodded an assent.
but she took his arm and led him
happily downstairs. His heart was
beating quite fast when they came
to the six girls sitting now on the
broad sun porch, chatting. You
girls can take your play scripts
and go out on the lawn shade and
rehearse with Jeremy" Gayle said,
brightly. DO it we'll, now. He can
read all the male parts for you.
And one of you play mine for me.
Scat now, we're all busy in here
They seated.
MI. Jeremy Tucker never quite
understood how it happened, but
swarm of loneliness seemed to en-
gulf him and he found himself pro-
PEELED among them. Fortunately he
had nothing to say, because the six
girls all seemed to be talking at
once and he would have had no OPP
portunity.
In the little walk toward grove
of great oak trees, he looked help
lessly around and observed that
only five girls were talking. actual
ly. The skinned Lola Mon