The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-02-13
CHAPTER THREE

WHEN, READY for dinner, /
stepped into the hall the appari-
ton which confronted me actually
made me jump, Old age can be
imperious. as in the case Of Cap
tain Essex, or gentle and lovable,
as in some other aged persons l
know. But Miss Althea had not
grown old gracefully.
Tall, lean and angular-angles
seemed to run in the Essex family
rather than curves-with white
hair-she was far grayer than her
father-and face seemingly CON-
pounded of wrinkles etched by bad
temper and spitefulness, she pre-
scented a veritable Walt Disney
witch depletion. To her father her
opposition to his treasured plan
might seem 10 be prompted by SEN
ility, but to me there was keen in
telligence in those malicious black
eyes.
She stepped forward from an an
gle near by, as | went down the
hall, and laid a OBTAINING hand on
my arm.
I've been waiting for you" she
began You necon', unpack those
traps they We cGrtei n there" she
gestured toward my room, you're
going back where you came from"
All my life 1 have hated to see
rudeness shown to an elderly per-
son, but my nerves weren't shock
proof against the snarling tones
which issued from lips drawn back
In hideous grimace showing dis
colored fang-like teeth. I shook her
restraining grasp from my a9m
and stepped away.
Il am sorry to seem discourte-
Gus, Miss Althea," / couldn't quite
steady my voice, "but it is only
fair to tell you that Mr.. Essex,
with his grandfather's approval,
hired me, and / shall stay here
until they tell me tc 60" There
was no use pussy-footing with her.
j might as well make my position
plain In the beginning.
-Grandfather-Mr. Essex" she
meered. THE old fool has lost
what sense he did have, and Cary
never had any to lose. Afraid of
the sea, the. simpleton. when all
the men of our family have been
seamen for generations! Too bad
he didn't &C down with his father,
the last herman of the line. Takes
his molly-coddle ways from his
mother! Oh, why didn't Cary pick
a real woman to be the mother of
his son? But that's neither here
nor there. I'm talking too much.
You" she thrust her hideous face
sc close to mine that shrank back
IN dismay, keep your mouth shut
on anything you hear me say and
get out Of here. It'll be the worse
for you II you don't, do you hear
me? Get out Of here"
Il have made my position plain, |
Miss Althea," I returned, trying to |
control my SILVER OF repulsion at
face. voice and words. Determined
ly, I started down the hall, but |
again her hand fell on my arm.
This time her voice hello a plain
tive whine.
IF It's money you want, I'll give
It to you" she said, In a piercing
whisper. I've plenty. Plenty. Ha.
ha, ha- Her cackling laughter
rang through the harl. and
wouldn't they like to get it-from
tie old one down! But they won't.
They'll never see a cent Of IL. It's
going to Irene and Proctor; that's
part If the bargain"
pricked up my ears at that.
I'd not heard one word of an Irene
or Proctor. How did they At into
the family?
She was going on:
I'll pay you well. Come now.
will YOU go? Now? Tonight ?"
! shook my head In emphatic ne
CATION. Her descent to barefaced
bribery sickened me. I wished
someone. anyone. would appear. III
hated to use violence against a
woman who might well, as far as
years go. be my grandmother. but
ia have to. because her hand was
clamped like a wise on my arm.
You won't 60 when I tell YOU
it's not safe for you here nor for
money? What do you want. then ?"
She shook me. savagely. |.
Ho. no. mavbe It's one OF our
boys you're after. Why didn't III
.hink Of that before?" Her fingers
tug viciously into my fesh. you [