Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-09-20

jean. SnoulunC nave uoHe CndC. DuC
it was sweet"
She thought, dazed: "Then why
stop?"
Had someone else first rights on
him? Didn't he care at all? Had he
thought it the obvious reply to her
challenge? A gesture?
She felt shaken and weak.
But she managed to say: 81 must
get back to my party at the club now"
He stared straight ahead Of him
after they had turned. Nor did he de-
muir to that. He seemed willing and
ready to return to the melee.
In no time at all, they were at the
door.
"Walter, one night couldn't we
do something together?" she asked
She hated herself for putting him on
the spot. But misery urged her to
what she knew was a wrong move.
Right. I'll telephone you, JEAN"
Which meant nothing. Less than
nothing! she thought wretchedly.
She picked up Gaby at noon next
day, supposedly from the pier.
A transformed Gaby, strikingly
handsome in the smart fall cloth coat
that Jean had bought for her, with
it's mink collar. On her head, the last
word in tiny hats, with a swirl of
ostrich plumes.
Gaby was both exultant and ner-
vous.
"We are friends, Jean! Dear friends!
You will not regret that 1 come into
your beautiful home for little while.
1t is not too much to ask, MOP"
Jean thought grimly: ''Too darned
much!" But she'd get used to it after
time. She had to, for Laurel's as
well as her own sake.
Il had a letter from your mother
today, JEAN" her stepfather told her,
when the three of them were at lunch.
Gaby's hand shook so that small
spatter of bouillon fell on the white
damask of the table.
The deft Treves slipped a fresh
napkin under the stain. Was it jeans
nervous fancy, or did he shoot
suspicious glance, and not once only,
at the visitor?
But of course he recognized her.
"Your boat locked on time" Rupert
van Auken remarked.
Gabrielle is swell sailor. May
be next time you'll be flying across
the Atlantic?" Jean suggested, with
forced brightness. She saw the but
Ter look astonished.
"Ah, but l have not the money.
Such terrible taxation as we have in
France now!"
You were really extremely brave
to cross" Rupert spoke of the fright
full turmoil of Europe.
Gaby seemed very we'll up on the
latest war news, fortunately. In
fact, Jean saw, half relieved, half re-
sentful, that she was extremely bright.
Her table manners were good-though
she did hesitate once on which fork to
use, watching Jean.
The latter thought: "She certainly
has French nerve, all right" 1t ter
rified her to realize the newcomer
was her own flesh and blood.
She was glad when the meal came
to close.
"Your trunk has arrived, madam"
Treves told Gaby as the two girls
left the dining-room. eff you will
give me the keys, Miss CARROTS maid
will unpack for YOU"
"Thank you, but I like to take care
of my own things" Gaby told him.
"He recognised you," Jean said
when they were alone in
the handsome bedroom allotted to
Gaby.
"Poof! A servant? What does that
matter" -with a shrug.
give got to hand it to you, you
certainly know how to act like a
grande daniel" was jeans reluctant
comment.
"And why not ?"-drawing herself
up to her full height. "Have 1 not
the blue blood of France in my veins ?"
She had dignity, thought Jean. She
was going to play her part thorough
ly.
After she had finished unpacking
the clothes that Jean had bought for
her, or given her, she asked: "And
may 1 now see the rest of the house,
please?"
She exclaimed with delight over the
beautiful rooms. The luxurious COM
forts and gadgets. The profusion of
flowers. The bathrooms, done in pas
tel porcelains, astounded her. And
GIz1a1 l. L