Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-10-18
! alDONEYM]OON PREFERREDD &zZxHAZ

the edge of the bed. "Do you know
you get younger and prettier as the
years roll along, Laurel? call it
magic!"
"No, darling, it's because I'm your
wife!"
Here's my cue for exit" Jean
smiled. She envied the way her
mother could throw off trouble. She
was too loyal to admit even to her.
self that Laurel was shallow.
Gaby was in small telephone al
cove on the landing outside. Jean
wondered if she had been listening
at their mothers door? Or had she
seen and followed Rupert, wanting
word with him before he saw his
wife? There was no knowing what
Gaby would be up to! 4.
"Ah, Jean! Good morning! I
was just speaking with Walter. All,
he is so kind" Gaby cooed.
"He won't be long, if you call him
up at his office at this hour"
"But he call me! would nev-aire
disturb him in his beez-nees!"
"Really?, How thoughtful" Jean
didn't believe her.
"He JUS tell me that I have the
most bew-tee-ful voice in the world!"
"Well, you can lower it. Mothers
resting
"But I JUS see Mr.. van Auken go
in her door. That is her room MOP"
inclining her glossy dark head.
eyes. And you keep out of there
until you're sent for. I'm not going
to have her disturbed" Jean snapped.
"But you are cross this morning!
You look-what is the word ?-hag-,
gard-after the party! And those so
dark circles under the eyes! You have
not slept well?"
Not deigning a reply, Jean went
back to her own room, had her bath,
and dressed. She must be up and
about while Gaby was around, for
fear she might pull off something
with Laurel or Rupert.
The telephone rang by her bed.
Walters nice voice on the line.
"That you, Jean? I've been trying
to get hold of you to thank you for
a very pleasant party last night"
Liltingly she replied: 81 was in
mothers room. She's all right now,
Walter. Weren't you just talking
to Gaby on the phone?"
eyes. She thought you'd gone
out.
Jean told herself that the butler
must have called her room first, and
not getting any answer, must have
put the call through to the lower
floor. Gaby had been lurking about
may even have been listening in
and had taken the call herself! Had
pretended it was she whom Walter
wanted!
She couldn't very we'll ask him if it
was Gaby he had called first.
He went on: 81 was so sorry that
Mrs. van Auken was taken ill at the
party"
ooh, it was just the rough sea
trip, Walter. She does too much!"
"Like her pretty daughter, eh?"
he chuckled.
1t had been almost on tip of her
tongue to say: (Which one?"
What she did reply was: "Oh, my
life isn't so exciting as you think"
"Then suppose 1 chirk it up by TAX
ing you dancing this EVENING"" he
suggested.
Her heart rose.
1t sank as he continued: COR
maybe we should postpone it until
your mothers completely over her in
disposition
"Oh, no. She's quite all right, and
she'll enjoy an evening alone with
Dad. I'd be the third wheel. I'd
love to come"
Fright. Dinner at the Waldorf.
I'll meet you there at half past sew
en-"
"The Waldorf? But how festive!"
He usually chose very quiet restau-
rants. It would be lovely to be seen
with him by everybody. 1t would
kill any rumor of his special interest
in Gaby.
"And afterwards we might look
in at the Plaza, and give Gaby
hand. How's that?"
She tried to keep the flatness out
of her voice as she answered: "That's
a good idea, Walter"
There was a tiny undertone of buzz
zing on the line. She thought: "That's
Gaby, darn her, listening in! Just
what she'd dol"