The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1941-01-16
CHAPTER II
Synopsis

mas just died and for the first
time he is aware of his adopted
daughter, Valerie, fourteen. Va
lerae had always been sub
merged in Ellen's personality,
just as everyone who knew Ellen
was submerged, but now she
stands out as a young lady, tim
or0us and fearful of having to
leave Mark. Ellen's sister DOrO-
thy, has already arranged for Va
lerie to live with her, but Mark
will hear none of it. The family
and friends come in to hear FL
lens will read.
'Ellen's child was her domi-
nant passion" said Dorothy,
looking obliquely at Mark. She
was feeling sentiment about Ell
len for the first time in twenty
years. The ten thousand dollars
Ellen had left her had been an
enormous surprise. With five
thousand each to Elise and Shir-
ley.
And the trust fund for Vale
RE. Not a fortune, of course, but
more than a child had any need
of. Marks marriage senttlement
must have been far more than
anybody dreamed. But that was
Ellen's way from childhood. Sc
crecy.
Leaving money to Elise and
Shirley was madness. Not that
Ellen would have listened, even
if anybody had known she was
going to do it. Elise's alimony
must run into thousands, and
Shirley made enough with her
best sellers to keep her like a
princess. Still, reverting to the
trust fund, no properly brought
up child could use the income for
years.
Lee Dagnall stopped on his way
to the great hall to shake hands.
''I'll be getting along" he said to
Mark. drop into my office when
you have time. There are a few
details"
"I'1l do that" Mark told him.
He gripped Lees hand. He liked
the man although there had been
no really close contact between
them.
Goodbye, lovely ladies. That
means you too, young person"
Lee said to Valerie. 81 congra-
tulate you on your father"
Thank you" said Valerie. She
tried to remember, a grown-up
. voice. She looked up at Mark,
and he looked down at her. Both
smiled.
There was something propria-
tary in the smile that vaguely
troubled Dorothy. She nodded
mechanically to Lee, glad of his
departing footsteps. II Elise and
Shirley would follow
But Elise and Shirley showed
no symptoms Of following. They
stood one on either side of Mark
and his daughter, chatting pleas
antly.
II have the sweetest plan," Ell
Use told Mark. Il want to take
this darling away for a while
just us two-not so far but what
you could run up often" She
put familiar hand on Valerie's
shoulder.
Valerie could feel the SPOT turn
cold. She edged toward Mark and
put her fingers on his arm. Shir-
ley said nothing. The scarlet line
of her mouth twitched a little as
she looked from Mark to Valerie.
Valerie liked Shirley. She liked
her blue eyes trimmed with long
dark lashes, and the lovely trans
parency of her skin. She made
up her mind to lock as much like
Shirley as possible when she
grew up.
Dorothy didn't smile at Elise.
Valerie could see that her aunt
was angry.
Mark and I both appreciate
that" she said sweetly "But you
see. we're anxious to get the
child settled and back to school
as soon as possible. l plan to
keep her just a few days"
Valerie doubtedS her ears. Her
lovely castle was tumbling be-
fore she had it fairly built: She
turned terrified eyes on Mark.
He could fix anything. He would
fix this
Mark was speaking. ''It's simp-
1y grand of you all to make plans
for u.s." he said. eve appreciate
it. But you see, we made our own
first. AS a matter Of fact, Valerie
isn't going anywhere, She's stay
ing here at home with me-" It fell
like a sort of amiable bombshell.
with your" cried Dorothy. OF
course he couldn't mean it. But