The Avalanche

Project Gutenberg's The Avalanche, by Gertrude Franklin Horn AthertonThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it,give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online atwww.gutenberg.netTitle: The AvalancheAuthor: Gertrude Franklin Horn AthertonRelease Date: June 30, 2004 [EBook #7863]Language: English*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AVALANCHE ***Produced by Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.THE AVALANCHEA MYSTERY STORYBY GERTRUDE ATHERTON1919TO CHARLES HANSON TOWNECHAPTER IIPrice Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if hiswife's had been one of them. After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there weremoments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.That there was a secret of some sort he had been progressively convinced for quite six months. Moreover, he felt equallysure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year anda half of their marriage. They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet … the difference lay not in the quality ofHélène's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changesof temperament and spirits.She had been a gay ...