Hungry Horse news and Columbian. [volume] (Columbia Falls, Mont.) 1946-1948, 1947-10-03
CHAPTER XII

CHAPTER XII
Horace leaned far over the table
Look" he said quietly, Suppose
Nell, you tell the assembled com
pany just what was in that diary
that made Gilbert bury the thing.
! Nella Lace Peabody let then
wait for moment. Two finger:
went to the V of her dress, where
the silver disk was hidden. Their
she raised her head with an an
swering smile, the pink flags flying
in her cheeks.
"Why Gilbert should have want.
ed to burn it is as much of a mys.
terry to me as it is to you," she said
smoothly. "He was very strong fol
the honor of the family, of course
just as you and your grandfather
are. He may have felt that I'd
been indiscreet to put down even
innocent little notes in black and
white, where someone else could
possibly have got hold of them"
Horace remarked softly, "Didn't
you put down any of your hopes
and dreams, in your little Inca
day."
PLENTY of them" She turned to
him, and now the CLINT of some
thing like deep triumph was clear
ly visible in her eyes. II wasn't al
ways as patient as l should have
been. l used to wish and wish that
the time would come when Gilbert
and l could be married and have
our own home; but 1 usually got
over it. After all, there was always
your example before me-"
"My-"
waiting so patiently for that
Mrs. Hurst down in Vallejo. 1 do
SO sympathize with you, Horace. It
may be years before her children
are near enough grown up so that
she'll feel it's right to get her di-
vorce."
Something besides the sunset
light made Horace's neck and ears
glow crimson. Half laughing, he
said, beats me how you got hold
of story like that, Nell: Mean to
say you put that in the daryl"
I'm afraid so. Was it horribly
indiscreet of me? But then, every
one in town has known about that
for at least five years, dear. Things
do get around SO, and naturally
people would wonder why you went
down there two or three times
week. We've rather admired your
faithfulness; but then you always
were good at waiting until things
broke just right for YOU" Nella's
voice was all loving kindness. GAS
long as you're sure of getting them
in the end, you can wait almost
forever, isn't that SO? l used to
remember that, and tell myself to
be patient. But you know, it's more
than likely that I shouldn't have
put that down in pen and ink. Gil
bert may have felt that I shouldn't.
He might have wanted to-protect
his family"
The air in the dining room felt
sultry, as if a thunderstorm were
threatening; yet the evening was
fairly cool one. Georgine felt the
skin of her hands tingling uncom-
fortably,
"How far did the diary go?" said
Mary Helen, her curiosity not yet
,ated.
"Oh-right up to the day your
aunt died, I believe. Yes, it must
lave done," said Nella dreamily,
because I can remember writing |
n it while supper was cooking that
hight, before I knew that she was |
sinking. Just few words about
he Jessup girls trousseau, and
low I'd seen Gilbert that noon"
There was a little stir at the
'ack door, but the cousins ignored
t. Both of them looked at Nella
nth peculiar intensity. "You mean
fter he'd been in to see Aunt AIDE
me that morning?" Mary Helen
aid gently. did you happen to
ote-what his manner was"
"Why, don't believe l did, so it
lust have been the same as usual.
lie just said he'd been on an err
and to the safety deposit, and
rought his aunt something she
,anted."
The cousins looked at each other
Witty, again with that effect of
Something she want
J." Horace said, and smiled and
nook his head. =
"What're you all talkin about?"
lid Susie Labare from the kitchen
DOR. II come over to bring you a
lie, Nell, but declare you was all
llkin' so fast you didn't hear ;
ling out there"
Susie, how good of you. Would
lyone have piece of pie right
)W?"
mo, great God, Nell; we're all
uffed to the gills. How long have
)u been out there, Susie?" Hor-
.e sounded more nearly irritable
ian he had at any former time.
"Few minutes. Talkin' about the
orning Gilbert come to see old I
ISIS Tillsit, wasn't your" Susie
ined the party with aplomb. Il c
ust say, Nell Lace, it's a comfort r
be able to talk free in front of
"; many's the time I've nearly r
my tongue out tryin' not to