Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-10-11
CHAPTER 10

Mr.. van Auken!"
But Jean was ahead of his reply
with a decisive "No"! She shot Gaby
look of anger and of warning. Had
MT the girl wreaked vengeance enough
on Laurel with the words: II wonder
on your travels, perhaps you may
have met my father, Etienne de Fleu-
ry?" It had been cruelty superfluous
to put that question! Cruel to COM
pletely establish her identity to Laur-
ell right there at the table where she
herself was being so beautifully treat
ed! Guest of honor, indeed!
And what was her stepfather think
ing? Perhaps that Etienne de Fleury
had been sweetheart of her moth
er's? That memories evoked by his
name and the mention of the Chateau
de Fleury had been so overwhelming
that his wife had lost consciousness ?
Laurel, still dazed, was on her feet
now, supported by her husband on
one side, and Jean on the other. For
tunately, the music of the next dance
had started just as Laurel tainted,
so the incident had only been observed
by a few people nearby.
"This way" Jean repeated. They
managed to get out practically un-
noticed. The thing to do was keep
talking, so that Laurel wouldn't have
q chance to ask anything about Gaby
give even a hint Of their relation
ship explain the reason Of her
fainting.
Jean babbled, therefore: "I'M al
ways dizzy and land-sick myself at
ter a sea journey, even if it's only
been two-day trip! guess You felt
the floor rising and falling, Laurel!
It's horrible feeling! And then your
hurry to get here! The excitement of
surprising us! It really wasn't any
wonder you suddenly passed out!"
Laurel began, incoherently, to her
husband: "Who-you saidI mean
were you told"
Jean cut her off quickly. "Now
don't try to talk, darling! You'll
hear every teeny little thing that's
happened, presently! Dad, go in the
drugstore, down that corridor and get
her bottle of smelling salts, will
you? Here's the ladies room now.
I'll get her on the sofa. And you hurry
for the salts, Dad!"
A maid produced some when they
got inside. Jean was anxious to be
entirely alone with her mother for
a few moments. She gave the maid
some money and asked her to get
some aromatic spirits from the hotel
drugstore.
Laurel asked family, from the sofa:
"Jean, how-how did you come to
meet-that girl?"
"You mean, Gabrielle?" Voice
soothing and sympathetic.
eyes, Jean. Tell me! Tell me quick
ly!" Laurel's beautiful blue eyes were
filled with medley of emotions, and
deeply under-shadowed.
Darling! Listen, don't be upset!
Rupert doesn't know anything! No
zone knows who she really is, but me
now you'll"
But why have you given this party
for her? Why are you having her
staying in the house with you?" Ter
ror in the sweet voice. Laurel striv-
.:;2:g to sit up on the sofa.
Because she made me, darling!
I hadn't any alternative! You see,
while you were away, she found out
who i was! She'd come to America
Ito lind US! She came to the house and
She saw that picture of you in the
drawing room"
"But how could she recognize me
when haven't seen her since she was
a baby?" walled Laurel-with that
question practically corroborating Ga
by's whole fantastic story which Jean
had been hoping, somehow, some
where, could be proved untrue!
Darling, she did! She has old
photographs in her bag! They still
look awfully like you-even the one
taken on your wedding day in 1914
-and-the other ones! The one taken
with her and-and Etienne de Fleury
when she was a tiny toll"
ooh, my lord!"
"Don't be afraid! I've arranged ev'
erything to keep her quiet, darling!
I've given in to. all her terms, and
dressed her up, and given her all the
money I could, and now this debut
for her singing. That's what she real.
" wants-a career-and to make g
lot of money in this country. Ano
then we'll quietly ship her back tt
where she came from, and Rupert'I
never know anything!"