The Wilmington morning star., 1940-08-17
CHAPTER

tai, emotional and physical health
doI,btless would have cracked up
right there.
But lovely Gayle Dixon just sat
down for a moment in n Of the
hall chairs and allowed matters to
sink in. She stared off sort of va
cantly for a little while, orienting
her thoughts and that extra
something which calm, self-disci-
plined people have, came to her
now; it quite offset the fact that
she had been in a strain Of details
all morning and afternoon a d
faced a further strain for the night.
It provided just the necessary re-
serve for her to take" the tact
that Tempe Hyde was the thief
that The Oaks had shielded.
There was a great deal she could
have done. Certainly there was
much she wanted to say and do,
Immediately. She wanted to fly to
Bill, to tell Lola. To tell dear old
Graham, the butler. To 60 to po-
lice headquarters and get details
from Mrs. Holmquist. And of
course to tell Jeremy, who had
been brought in on the regrettable
affair.
But no! No, she mustn't, be-
u she seeking Jeremy
even now for another purpose-to
start the play. Approximately l.
700 people were in their seats on
the lawn, chatting amiably but
waiting. Tempe Hyde's part would
have to be CLOSED over some way
another managerial detail for
her and Bill! No, she must simply
alibi quickly for Temples absence
and help Bill go on with the play.
Explanations could come later, to-
morrow, perhaps.
She had been looking hurriedly
for Jeremy when the interruption
came, so that now, after the brief
est rest to throw off her confusion,
Gayle resumed her way on up
stairs.
She opened the library door, but
it was dark. She went then to
Jerenny's bedroom and tapped on
the door. When it did not open,
she turned the knob and called
gently through a crack, but heard
no response.
She stood there thinking a mo-
ment. She remembered then that
Jeremy sometimes used his grand
fathers study because there were
books there, and the place was coy
and nice. She turned the knob Of
the study door. No light was on,
but the small fireplace blaze threw
dancing lights and shadows. Sill
houetted before the firseplace she
saw Jeremy, standing, head bow
ed.
"Jeremy!" she spoke, walking
in. We've been looking every
where for you'll"
He turned in surprise. He held
out a hand, as if in su%pplication,
and he answered her at O C e.
Gayle! Gayle-I-see here, I'm
awfully glad you camel"
Something in his voice, some sig
nificant tone infection, made her
pause and look carefully at him.
Gayle, I-see here, I've been
doing an awful lot of thinking.
Honestly I have. ALI evening,
longer, I guess. Things have been
well, a great many things have
happened to me and-see here,
Gayle, will you marry me?"
Shocked again, she could not an
sWer, or even move.
will you marry me, Gayle?
Soon? I-see here"
He paused to swallow, hard. And
in the interval they heard another
sound. From around the bookcase,
where the comfortable old couch
was, came unmistakable footsteps,
suddenly and rather theoretically.
In a moment Mr.. Mortified ap-
peared, and his old face was illum-
med not only by the fire, but by a
definite inner excitement and slim.
ulation.
"Jeremy!" he bombed when he
approached. II had no thought of
evesdropping, but it all happened
so fast-I was resting. Neverthe-
less, I am delighted. I congratu-
late you . congratulate you
and"
He was holding out a hand to
RELA -LANAN-COTIRT p