The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1941-04-10
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and the place is disrupted. Miss
Tredway has left, and nobody can
tell me why"
"She could hardly be expected
to do anything else, sir-not after
what happened this morning. Not
her kind of young lady," said
Chiltern.
Mark jumped to his feet, "Now
we are getting somewhere. What
the devil did happen? That's just
what I'm trying to find out"
Mrs. Summerville went to Miss
Lucy's rooms, sir. I went to your
rooms to look at that defective
light, as you told me. AS I passed
Miss Lucy's sitting room, I heard
voices. recognized Mrs. Summer
ville's. I could hardly help hear
ing what she said. Anybody could
have. After that, II paused, as
you might say, until she finished.
Until - well, until Miss Lucy
showed her the door"
"Three cheers for Miss Lucy!"
said Mark. "Then what?"
''Mrs. Summerville told Miss
Tredway to leave the house at
once, sir. She said she'd been to
all the parents Of Miss Valerie's
friends, and they had assured her
they would not let their children
associate with her, unless Miss
Lucy left. +"
II see," said Mark. 81 don't be-
lieve I want to hear any more.
That's enough to 60 on with. At
ter all, I might have known!" He
stood staring at the fire. Chiltern
had seen tempers before, but
never Marks. He had gone quite
white, as he stood there, his hands
clenched at his sides.
"Thank you, SIR" said Chiltern
at last. MAY I go now, sir?"
'Yes-no, wait. Have you any
thing to suggest? I mean about
finding Miss Tredway?"
"She went away in the old
van-the one they call the Ark"
$50 that's it" He stopped,
realizing that of course Chiltern
knew nothing about Lucy's check.
Il should 60 after her, sir, if
you'll allow me to suggest. The
old bus couldn't be making any
great speed"
"Where do you suppose she'd
be heading?"
"Where did you meet Miss Lu-
cy, sir, if I may ask?"
"Allington! It's a good thing one
of us has a head on him! Have
Catlet run out the town car. I
want you to come along. Well
have to start at once"
"And Miss Valerie, Sir?"
"I'll send her ever to Miss En-
dicott's. 1 wouldn't dare leave her
here. She might have been sent
to Siberia by the time we got
back"
Chiltern allowed himself to
smile.
"You might get Miss Endicott
on the telephone for me. Then
tell Mrs. Banwood we may be
away for a few days. Give her
whatever instructions you please.
Then pack yourself a bag, and
meet me here in an hour"
Every good, SIR" said Chiltern.
He got Shirley's number, and
left the room. Shirley was in,
luckily. Would she put Valerie up
for night or two? Mark asked.
Valerie would explain. Loving
Mark, being a tactful woman and
knowing human nature, she asked
no questions, but said she'd adore
having Valerie.
He put down the telephone and
went upstairs.
"Chiltern and I are taking a
run to Arlington, to see if Lucy's
there" he told her. 81 want you
to stay with Shirley until we get
back. I've just talked with her.
Have Alice pack bag for you at
once. You may tell Shirley what
ever you please"
Valerie listened, her eyes enor-
nous in her pale small face. eyes,
father"
He went directly to Dorothy's
sitting-room door and knocked.
She opened it almost Immediate
ly. She had changed to a negli-
gee of palest mauve. With her
slightly disarranged hair, she was
as near loneliness as she would
ever be. She had been expecting
him, and had dressed deliberate
1y. But when she saw his face,