The Wilmington morning star., 1941-02-11
SIX

chapters OF ne seiiediosS
writing.
CHAPTER SIX
Gary's face took on an eager
expression, as the captains voice
gave the order, Nov, Jabez. bring
down the sea chests from the little
attic
Eyes sir. Will you give me the
keys, sir, and where shall 1 put the
chests?"
The captain scanned the unen
numbered floor space. Although
the library was large, there wasn't
much unoccupied room.
Light the fire in the room at
the end of the hall and put them
there. Call us when you have them
all down, and, Jabez-"
Yes, sir"
Bring down the small mahog
any desk from my room and put II
with the chests"
Eyes, sir, and the keys, sir?"
Slowly the trembling hand drew
out a bunch of keys atta"hed to
the massive chain which crossed
his waistcoat. Shakily he detached
n key and passed it to the hous-
man.
THAT key has never left me for
27 years." he said slowly, after
Jabez went out. Nor has that at
tic room been opened since my
sons chest went into it. l did not
open his chest then. 1 couldn't;
and-I never thought to do so. But
his log books r there, and" his
face frightened; his voice lost its
pathetic-''you, Cary, will make
good use of them"
'In do my best, Granddad. l
promise you that" A ring of de-
termination was in his tone.
Father, hadn't I better tele-
phone down for the chauffeur to
come up and help Jabez? He'll
never be able to get those heavy
chests down by himself" Mrs.
Gould's gentle voice asked the
question.
chauffeur! Stuff and nonsense!
Send for outside help when we've
two able-bodied lubbers here!"
Cary rose to his feet, but the
captain waved him back.
mark shall Co." he declared
testify. 'Thatn be his contribution
to his cousins book"
'Is Cary the fair-haired boy right
now!" muttered Mark. under his
breath. And, rising from his chair,
Little Mark had better be looking
to his laurelS."
But there wasn't a trace of re-
sentiment in his tone, and I saw
that he clapped his hand, with
friendly pressure, on Cary's Shout
der, as he passed by on his way
out.
Mark did not close the door be-
hind him. His voice rose in merry
greeting. and Immediately a thick
set man, accompanied by a young
er man and woman, entered. The
voice with which the stranger
greeted the family was familiar to
me. It certainly was that of the
unknown Horace.
I didn't like the sharp glance
from his cold blue eyes nor the
flabby clasp of his clammy hand,
and l didn't like his son or daugh-
ter, either, when we e intro
duced. Irene Rand was beautiful,
there was no denying that. Her
complexion was flawless, her fea-
lures superb, and when she smiled
she was absolutely charming. But
her green-blue eyes, as cold and
hard as her fathers, and the thin
line into which she drew her mouth
when not speaking, spoiled her for
me. Proctor Rand, son of Horace,
was a chip off the old block. If
anything, I thought he would be
more ruthless than his father.
I couldn't imagine frank genial
Mark enjoying Proctor's compan-
ionship, and I took the way Cary's
face heightened at their entrance
as evidence of his distaste.
Here comes the pest!" MUIR
INJURED Kaye in my ear when Proc
tor, after bending over Janet,
crossed the room to our side. She
greeted him IN a cool, casual man.
ner, but, from the way the CONVEX
sation went, I judged the two fam
lilies we're intimate if not entirely
congenial.
''Where is Althea?" Mr.. Rand
asked, after some desultory con-
v~ersation.
''She chooses to immune herself
In her own room rather than sit
with u.s." replied the captain spirit
eddy.
"Has anything untoward &C.
curred?" persisted the other.
"Just that she won't sit and lis
ten to a reading from Cary's book.
She takes it upon herself to dis
approve" ..
grant your permission for such a
project, sir?" Mr.. Rand leaned
closer to the captain and spoke in
a low tone which yet carried dis
tinctly to where I sat. do you
consider that wise?"
"Wise, Sir? What do you mean?"
demanded the captain.
'Unless such a book is handled
very delicately it becomes ridicu-
lous, is laughed at and the family
name loses prestige. Have you
carefully considered" he was
warming to his subject now, and
the words flowed forth with a sono-
rous roll. He must be an inveterate
speech maker on every possible
occasion, in season and out.
'Have you carefully considered
whether Cary has the necessary