The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-09
Chapter Il

Adam Langdon marriedl And not to Martal
 Too disturbed for the consola- tion of a cigaret, Sidney paced his room, waiting for the dinner gong. He had advised Marta to leave at once, using the preteXt of an imaginary telephone call. Marta had refused.
 I came for the weekend and I shall remain" she had said, pride flaming. And nothing he could say could change her de- cision.
 Sidney understood her. If she remained, the other guests, all old friends, might assume that she and Adam had had an amiabie break before he left for Africa. On that assumption, her presence would appear less bizarre, her pride unchanged; nor would Adam himself, realize how deep the barb had cut.
 Well, since she had courage to play the part, Sidney would do all in his power to make it a success. As for Adam Langdon- his method of letting Marta dis cover his marriage was so out of character, Braitwood could scarcely credit his own senses.
 A pleasant regime had always marked week-ends at Langdon Knoll. There was a swimming pool at the end of the grounds, charming walks and a nearby coun- try club. Evenings, there might be dancing or contract or Marta might read from new play in which she was to appear. Talk had always been good, and the number of guests never more than single servant could comfortably care for.
 At last the dinner gong! Still in the grip of incredulity, Sidney descended to the library where the guests always gathered. A room Of dark oak, old portraits and wide fireplace, it teemed with pleasant memories of Marta's charm and Langdon's ready wit. Broken lives had no place in it.
 Yet, as he entered, the room seem- ed to have taken on new charac- ter. A sense of uneasiness marked the manner of the live persons pres ent.
 Marta had not yet come down, but Adam Langdon = or what ap- peared to Sidney's shocked per- ception, the shell of his old friend stood by the fireplace, talking to smart young woman in an informal orange satin evening gown. A waxen pallor had replaced Langdon'S usual ruddiness, his handsome, oval head moved restlessly, even jerkily, and his eyes had a fixedness oddly at variance with their blinking lids.
 With visible effort Langdon seem- ed to collect himself as he greeted Braitwood. He presented the girl in orange.
 ':My wife"
 HAm I surprise?" Patricia Langdon smiled in lazy insolence.
 Father. How and when did it happen?" Sidney wanted to know.
 He recalled having met her sev- eral years before, though she had evidently forgotten it. She looked about 25 and Adam was well over 40. One could not have called her dark, piquant face beautiful, but she represented modernity to the scarlet tips of her slender hands. Adams choice was understandable, if not his way of announcing it.
 q happened to be visiting Eng fish cousins who own a ranch at the jumping off place for Adams jungle. Adam became ill and re- mained there and So-"
 Marta entered then. It was an excellent entrance. Sidney could find no trace of the emotion he knew must be agitating her, but he was sure from the quick sur prise. in Patricia Langdon'S face that she had not expected another guest.
 When Langdon introduced them, Marta was all sympathy with the romance of the situation. A great actress, Sidney thought. Her control is superb.
 The other guests = Nella Lang- don, the orphaned daughter of