The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1941-01-30

Elise turned back and drew
Valerie into the house beside her.
Valerie led the way into the main
drawing room, which always
awed her slightly. But she felt
that formality belonged to Elise.
She sat on the edge of petit
point chair, because Elise had sat
down and was undoing her furs.
81 happened to be passing the
gates, and thought I'd run in and
see if I could carry you off to
drive little" she said. "You
must need cheering up, darling.
You've been on my mind night
and day, and I'd have run in
days ago, but I thought it more
tactful to leave you and your
dear daddy to get bit acquain-
ted"
Elise got up and went to Val
cries chair and held out her
hand. t'We're going to be great
pals" she said. "Come Orwell
drive till dinner time; then I'll
bring you back, and your daddy
may be home, and perhaps you'll
take pity on me and give me a
bite to eat. Wouldn't it be sweet
just us three?"
Valerie had to think very
quickly. She let Elise take her
hand, although she got up and
stood beside her.
ooh yes-thank-" she said.
<'But you see, we're going on a
trip. Tomorrow morning. Very
early. My father may not get
home until late tonight. And I'm
packing-at least, I'm helping"
Elise dropped her hand. "Of
course, if Mark isn't coming home
it would probably bore you
terrib1y-just us two"
She sat down again just as Val
erie was beginning to breathe
freely once more. She suddenly
asked great many questions:
where they were going, how long
they'd be away, and especially if
anybody else was going, too. VAL
erie said she didn't know, until
they came to who was going.
Ehse's rather sullen dark eyes
rested on Valerie sharply until
she found out the answer to that.
Then they frightened. and she
rose once more. She glanced out
into the hall almost as if she
were going to say something no
body must hear, and lowered her
voice. ..#.
But she spoke casually. II sup
pose you wouldn't know what
YOUR daddy did with, darling Ell
lens sable coat? just hapuened
to think Of it. Funny, wasn't it,"
Valerie thought it was not fun
ny at all my father sent it to
the furries," she said. She felt
somehow it was enough just to
tell where it was.
Chiltern was standing BY the
door. She looked at him oddly as
she went out. .-4......,-.
Call my car. will you?" she
said.
She must have forgotten Val
erie. for she didn't say goodbye.
They really started the next
morning, in the early May sun
shine. Alice, still smiling, had
filled two Of the cases in the lug
gage trunk with Valerie's new
clothes, and didn't forget any of
the things, Ms. Banwcod was
sure she would forget.
Mrs. >. Banwood silently dap
proved of Alice's packing. She
disapproved of Valerie's blue
knitted suit, and her blue tweed
coat to motor in. OF course Mr..
Alexander was spelling the girl.
Shesaid as much to Chi1tern, as
they stood directly behind a
drawing-room curtain and watch
ed Mark open the door of the
closed car.
He'd much rather drive his
roadster, but he thought this was
better for Miss Valerie" said
Chiltern. He almost forgot, and
let a note of affection into his
voice.
Hes spelling the girl. It's not
what her mother planned for
her." said Mrs. Banwood grinly.
Thank heaven for that" said
Chiltern. He had Marks check for
fifty dollars in his pocket. Mark
had slipped it into his hand not
twenty minutes ago. "Just in
case" he had said. He had
looked the butler in the eye as
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