Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-10-04
CHAPTER 9

] didn't invite you, Hei"n.
"But mother gave me the message!
Oh. dear! You know she's hard of
hearing? She must have gone and
got it jumbled up with some other
invitation"
Jean looked at Helen with clear and
scornful eyes. Helen was pretty well
assured that Jean would never go so
far as order her out of the house
now she was in it. She'd gambled
on that.
Mothers" Helen proceeded airily,
really are problem children, these
days. Mines always putting her foot
in it. And yours is-er-foot loose.
Always gadding off somewhere, isn't
she?"
The inevitable barb!
"She1l be back any day now" In
voluntarily, jeans eyes went to Gaby.
Helen saw them cloud for a moment.
Rupert, looking very handsome with
a red carnation in his lapel, had join
ed the French girl and Walter.
"Your stepfather is most attract
i've man. Just at the dangerous age!"
Helen unleashed her insinuating laugh.
It seemed to say: "She better come
back pretty quick, or younger one
may put her hooks in him!"
Jean left her and went over to the
guest of honor. My, what an ironical
description that was! A guest who
could bring dishonor to this house.
Only she wouldn't let her!
'Would you sing, Gaby now?"
"You wish it, Meester van Auken 2"
Gaby showed charming Difference to
her host.
s.But of counsel" with benevolent
smile. "You know 1 haven't had the
pleasure of hearing you sing yet, I've
been away so much. And Jean says
your voice is beautiful"
Gaby modestly dropped her eyes,
displaying incredibly long, upcurled
Iashes. "You are too kind!" Walter
and Rupert escorted her to the grand
piano. AS the hired accompanist seat
ed himself, she laid her bouquet of
American Beauties on it's ebony top.
They made wonderful frontispiece.
Behind, in radiant blonde beauty, was
the painting of her mother on the
wall!
Gaby, at the last minute, had or
dered that the piano be moved into
just that position. "To remind me!'
Jean told herself, and her heart twist
ed at the situation she had been put
in.
More and more, Gaby was insinua-
ting herself into this household. 1t
was unusual to see Rupert so gay!
With the amazing skill of the French
woman who, from her cradle up, has
been trained in the tradition of hand
ling men, Gaby had, with the clever
ness that hides art, wangled her way
into the good graces of Rupert.
Though the meeting would be hor-
ribly painful and embarrassing for
Laurel, it was, thought Jean, high
time that her mother came back.
She hated herself for having prom
lsed Gaby that she wouldn't reveal
her identity by letter. But she could
urge Laurel to return. Meet her at
the boat. Gently break the strange
news! And then they'd plan.
Laurel always had plenty of money.
Rupert denied her nothing. Maybe
Laurel could pay off Gaby? And no
one be the wiser?
Jean hated herself more as she adj
mitted honestly to herself that Wal
ter's attentions to the young singer
was perhaps the strongest motive in
= wanting to be rid of her!
Her singing was the high light of
the party. Encore followed encore.
Not only Walter, but Rupert, was be-
witched by jeans guest.
"And now, Gaby," Walter pleaded,
and lots of people heard him, won't
you please sing 'Parlez Moi glamour?
Standing tall and beautiful, she was
in glorious voice. 1t seemed she sang
directly to Walter.
"She looks like Marie Antoinnette,' y
Jean heard one man say to another
in an aside.
eyes. The cake-eater?"
"And she's taken a big bite OF
Jeans cake! Get that?"
They didn't see her. They both
grinned. Jean wanted to run to he1
room and cry her heart out.
s'And now may I propose that we
drink a toast to our guest of hon.
orr" Rupert called out gaily.
Champagne cocktails were passed
and done ample justice to. Several
A and nnHanaTfIna