Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-09-27
CHAPTER 8

her own initiative, countermandlng
her hostess's order, with ice and
glasses, stood on a table nearby.
Jean needed a drink for fortification
as never before had she needed it.
But Gaby was ahead of her even
here with: "Help yourself, Jean, but
for me I ne-vaire touch the cock
tails" Turning to Walter, she added
gently: "In France, it is not-how
you call it? = propaire for young
girls to touch hard lee-quor."
Walter beamed his approval.
Jean drained her glass almost at
one gulp. Manhattans. Potent. On, to
hit Gaby one crack with the crystal
goblet!
"The French" averred Walter, al
belt he helped himself to good stiff
drink, "are so much more sensible in
these matters than us Americans.
They practise moderation. We don't
We're a race of young and greedy
children"
"But 1 lofe children!" The dark
eyes, bent indulgently on Walter,
misted into look that might be in
terpreted: 81 lofe you'll"
Jean was enveloped in sense OF
utter unreality. It was incredible
that this willy foreigner making up
to Walter was her own half-sister!
That Gaby being her own mothers
daughter had just as good a right as
she to be hostess in Rupert's house!
If Walter knew!
Was the same idea turning in Gaby's
mind? Jean was miserably aware that
it was no reason of family love, or
notwithstanding water, that held
her back. But personal expediency.
Walter asked: "Why didn't you tell
me, Jean that you were expecting a
house guest? And such charming
one, at that!" There was surprised
disapproval and admonition in the
question.
She stammered: 81 thought men
toned it."
eff you had, certainly would have
included Miss GABRIELLE in tonight's
engagement. But you will come with
us, of course?" He turned to her
"You will not stay alone here?"
"Ah, you are SO kind and thought
full, Meester Mallory. But I am used
to my own com-panee. am used to
be solitaire. I am not like the
Americans who must go, go, go, al
the time. 1 am-what you call it
domestic!"
Domestic, my eye! Jean thought.
"I am not afraid of my own COM
panee, Meester Mallory. My mees
fortunes, they have taught me to fine
the resource and the solace in my
self alone"
(Which is more than our American
women have, you bet!" was his mad
deningly annoying answer. "None The
less, l insist you come out to dinner
with us tonight. You make her
Jean!"
Gaby smiled lusciously, displaying
beautiful white teeth.
"Your fon-nee pro-vairb it say
two is COM anee, three is the goose!'
Walter flung back his head ant
laughed uproariously. priceless
You're simply priceless"
With a cute French shrug of ele
giant shoulders, palms of small hands
upturned, Gaby demanded of Jeal
what he meant, her plucked eyebrows
raised like puzzled child.
"That you're not such goose al
you seem!" Jean tartly replied. There
was challenge in her blue eyes a
they met Gaby's dark ones.
"But 1 will not be the goose.
do not come" Gentle reproof mixec
with sweet resignation.
Walter insisted: "I'm going to phon
George Harbinger at the club. He
free tonight. Well make it four
some"
George arrived. A solid, spec
tacled citizen, with suet pudding
face, and a demeanor to match.
They went to a conservative res
taurant, where the food was excel
lent, and the prices high.
Gaby was shocked at the prices an
wanted to order the least expensiv
dishes-to make a hit with Walter.
She boosted: "Me, cook thees sam
dinner for-how you call it "a song!
"Your songs are worth a hundre
dinners, Miss Gabrielle" from Wa
ter.
"No! I am excellent chef. I shoN
you one time"
George Harbinger, whose food wa
more to him than any woman, pipe
up with: Please let me in on your tai
emf also"