May 15, 2025 • 10 mins
Transplanted from New York to save his familys business in the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, Price Ruyler quickly ascends to the top of the citys bachelor list. Yet, he remains immune to the local girls advances and their mothers schemes. That is, until he encounters the enchanting Helene, leading to a whirlwind proposal within just a week. As they journey into their fourth year of marriage, Prices love for Helene remains steadfast. However, he begins to sense a shift, sparking questions about her enigmatic past and whether any family secrets were lost in the earthquakes aftermath.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter five of The Avalanche by Gertrude horn Utherton. This
slibrivox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Lynne Thompson,
Chapter five, Part one, And you won't take me to
the party, Helene pouted charmingly as her husband laid her
pink taffiter wrap over her shoulders. I thought you said
(00:24):
you might make it, and it would be too delightful
to dance with you once more. I'm afraid not. The
Australian mail came in just as business clothes, and it's
on my mind. I want to go over it carefully
before I dictate the answers in the morning, and that
means two or three hours of hard work that will
leave me pretty well fagged out. Missus Thornton has offered
(00:46):
to take you home. I hate her. Oh please don't,
Rylah smiled into her somber eyes. She wants a drive,
and it would be taking the Gwinns so far out
of the way. Missus Thornton very kindly suggested it. I
hate her, said Ellyne conclusively. I wish now I'd kept
(01:07):
my own car. Then I could always go home alone.
You shall have a car next winter, and this time
I shall not permit you to pay for it out
of your allowance, which in any case I hope to
increase by that time. Her eyes flamed, but not with anger.
Then I'll sell my electric to Alien Lawton right away.
(01:28):
We have the touring car in the country, and she
has been trying to make her father by her an electric.
I'm afraid you'll be disappointed in your bargain. Second hand cars,
no matter what their condition, always go at a sacrifice,
and old Lawton is a notorious screw. Better not let
it go for two or three hundreds. You look very
sweet driving about in it. Oh, by the way, I
(01:49):
had forgotten. He slipped his hand under her coat, unfastened
the chain, and slipped the jewel into his pocket. I
am sorry, he said, with real contrition. And you almost
wish I had forgotten the thing. But I am a
little superstitious about keeping that old promise, she laughed. And
yet you will not permit poor maman a little superstition
(02:10):
of her own. But I am rather glad everybody at
the ball will hear of the ruby, and I shall
be able to keep them in suspense until the Thornton
Fat good night, don't work too hard couldn't you get
there for supper? Fraid not Part two. He did go
down to the office and glance through the Australian mail,
(02:30):
but at a few moments before twelve he took a
California street car up to the Fairmont Hotel and went
directly to the ball room. Missus Thornton was standing just
within the doorway, but came toward him with lifted eyebrows.
This is like old times, she said playfully. I found
less male than I expected, and thought I would come
(02:50):
and have a dance with my wife. His eyes wandered
over the large room, gaily decorated and filled with dancing couples.
Missus Saunton laughed a bell like your wife. She is
always engaged for every dance on her program. Before she
is half way down the corridor. Oh well, husbands have
(03:11):
some rights. I'll take it by force. I don't see her.
She must be sitting out. Missus Thornton slipped her arm
through his. This dance has just begun. Walk me up
and down. I am tired of standing on one foot.
They strolled down the corridor and through the large central hall.
Older folks sat or stood in groups. A few young
(03:33):
couples were sitting out. Ryler did not see his wife
and concluded she had been resting at the moment in
the Dowager ranks against the wall of the ballroom. The
music ceased sooner than he expected, and Missus Thornton, who
had been talking with animation on the subject of several
fine pictures she had bought while abroad for the museum
(03:53):
in Golden Gate Park, including one by Macefield Price, broke
off with an impatient exclamation, bother, I must run up
to my room at once and telephone wait for me here.
She steered him toward a group of men. Mister Gwynn,
keep mister Ryleagh from causing a riot in the ball room,
he insists, upon dancing with his wife, hold him by force.
(04:15):
They were standing near the staircase and some distance from
the lift. Missus Thornton ran up the stairs, pausing for
an irresistible moment and looking down at the company. As
she stood there, poised, she looked a royal figure with
her cloth of gold train covering the steps below her,
and her high and flashing head. Wait for me, she
(04:36):
said imperiously to Pryce. I cannot meander down that corridor
deserted and alone. Raylah smiled at her, but said to
gwyn I'll just go and engage my wife for a
dance and be back in a jiffy. Gwinn clasped his
hand about Rayla's arm just a moment, old chap. I
want your opinion, but there is the music again. I'll
(04:57):
be knocking people over, you will if you go now,
and they'll be dancing for hours. Yet your wife has
been dividing up. Now tell me if you back me
in this proposition or not. I'm going to Washington to
represent you, fellows. But Rylah had broken politely away and
was walking down the long corridor. When he arrived at
the ball room, he saw at a glance that his
(05:19):
wife was not there, for the floor was only half filled.
But there were other rooms where dancers sat in couples
or groups. When tired, he went hastily through all of them,
but saw nothing of his wife, nor of do Remus. Missus.
Thornton had gone in search of her, and Gwynn knew
(05:39):
this time the hot blood was pounding in his head.
He felt as he imagined madmen did when about to
run amock or quite as primitive as any Californian of
the surging fifties. He was in one of the smaller rooms,
and he sat down in a corner, with his back
to the few people in it, and endeavored to take
hold of himself. The conventional training of several lifetimes and
(06:03):
his own intense pride forbade a scene in public. But
his curved fingers longed for Dormus's throat, and he made
up his mind that if his awful suspicions were vindicated,
he would beat his wife black and blue. That was
far more sensible and manly than running whining to a
divorce court. The effort at self control left him gasping,
(06:27):
and when he rose from his shelter, he was outwardly
composed and determined to seek Gwyn and force the truth
from him. He would not discuss his wife with another woman,
and whatever this hideous tragedy brooding over his life, he
would go out and come to grips with it. At
once part three, and in the long corridor he saw
(06:49):
his wife chatting gaily with a group of young friends.
Her color was paler than usual, perhaps, but that was
not uncommon at a party, and otherwise she was as
unruffled as normal in appearance and manner as when they
had parted at the Gwinn's. Nevertheless, he went directly up
to her, and as she gave a little cry of
pleased surprise, he drew her hand through his arm. Come,
(07:12):
he said, imperiously, you are to dance this with me.
I broke away on purpose. But Darling, I am full up.
You have skipped at least two I have been looking
everywhere for you. Polly Roberts dragged me upstairs to see
the new gowns. Monsieur DuPont brought her from Paris. They
came this afternoon, so did Missus Thornton's. But of course
(07:34):
I'll dance this with you. You don't look well, she added anxiously,
aren't you quite? But rather tired mentally? I need a dance,
he wondered if she had gently propelled him down the corridor.
They were some distance from the group. It was impossible
for him to go back and ask if his wife's
story were true. Missus Thornton was nowhere to be seen,
(07:57):
neither in the corridor nor in the ball room, nor
was de Remus. He set his teeth grimly and managed
to smile down upon his wife. I shall insist upon
having more than one, he said, gallantly, at least three hesitations.
She drew in her breath with a mock sigh, and
swept from under her long lashes a glance that still
(08:19):
had the power to thrill him outrageous. But I shall
try to bear up, and the next moment they were
giving a graceful exhibition of the tango. I don't see
your friend de remus, he said casually, as he stood
fanning her. At the end of the dance. She lifted
her eyebrows haughtily. My friend, that parasite. You seem very
(08:42):
friendly at dinner. I usually am with my dinner companion
once hostess is to be considered. Oh, I remember he
was telling me some very amusing gossip. Although he teased
me interfering, he wouldn't. Now if you are going to
dance his hesitation with me, you had better well me off.
It is mister Thornton's, and I see him coming. Rayla
(09:05):
did not see Duremus until supper was half over, and
then the young man entered the dining room hurriedly, his
usually serene brow lowering and his lips set. He walked
directly up to Ellne beastly luck, he exclaimed, Hello, Ryler,
didn't know you honored parties any more. I had to
break away to meet the overland train. Beastly thing was late,
(09:29):
of course. Then I had to take them to five
hotels before I could settle them. They had two beastly
little dogs, and the hotels wouldn't take them in, and
they wouldn't give up the dogs. Some one ought to
set up a high class dog hotel. Sure it will pay,
but you'll give me the first after supper, won't you.
Ellyne gave him a casual smile. That was a poor
(09:51):
reward for his elaborate apology. So sorry, she said, with
the sweet, distant manner in which he disposed of boors
and climbers. But mister Ryler and I are both tired.
We are going home directly after supper. End of chapter
five
Chapter five of The Avalanche by Gertrude horn Utherton. This
slibrivox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Lynne Thompson,
Chapter five, Part one, And you won't take me to
the party, Helene pouted charmingly as her husband laid her
pink taffiter wrap over her shoulders. I thought you said
(00:24):
you might make it, and it would be too delightful
to dance with you once more. I'm afraid not. The
Australian mail came in just as business clothes, and it's
on my mind. I want to go over it carefully
before I dictate the answers in the morning, and that
means two or three hours of hard work that will
leave me pretty well fagged out. Missus Thornton has offered
(00:46):
to take you home. I hate her. Oh please don't,
Rylah smiled into her somber eyes. She wants a drive,
and it would be taking the Gwinns so far out
of the way. Missus Thornton very kindly suggested it. I
hate her, said Ellyne conclusively. I wish now I'd kept
(01:07):
my own car. Then I could always go home alone.
You shall have a car next winter, and this time
I shall not permit you to pay for it out
of your allowance, which in any case I hope to
increase by that time. Her eyes flamed, but not with anger.
Then I'll sell my electric to Alien Lawton right away.
(01:28):
We have the touring car in the country, and she
has been trying to make her father by her an electric.
I'm afraid you'll be disappointed in your bargain. Second hand cars,
no matter what their condition, always go at a sacrifice,
and old Lawton is a notorious screw. Better not let
it go for two or three hundreds. You look very
sweet driving about in it. Oh, by the way, I
(01:49):
had forgotten. He slipped his hand under her coat, unfastened
the chain, and slipped the jewel into his pocket. I
am sorry, he said, with real contrition. And you almost
wish I had forgotten the thing. But I am a
little superstitious about keeping that old promise, she laughed. And
yet you will not permit poor maman a little superstition
(02:10):
of her own. But I am rather glad everybody at
the ball will hear of the ruby, and I shall
be able to keep them in suspense until the Thornton
Fat good night, don't work too hard couldn't you get
there for supper? Fraid not Part two. He did go
down to the office and glance through the Australian mail,
(02:30):
but at a few moments before twelve he took a
California street car up to the Fairmont Hotel and went
directly to the ball room. Missus Thornton was standing just
within the doorway, but came toward him with lifted eyebrows.
This is like old times, she said playfully. I found
less male than I expected, and thought I would come
(02:50):
and have a dance with my wife. His eyes wandered
over the large room, gaily decorated and filled with dancing couples.
Missus Saunton laughed a bell like your wife. She is
always engaged for every dance on her program. Before she
is half way down the corridor. Oh well, husbands have
(03:11):
some rights. I'll take it by force. I don't see her.
She must be sitting out. Missus Thornton slipped her arm
through his. This dance has just begun. Walk me up
and down. I am tired of standing on one foot.
They strolled down the corridor and through the large central hall.
Older folks sat or stood in groups. A few young
(03:33):
couples were sitting out. Ryler did not see his wife
and concluded she had been resting at the moment in
the Dowager ranks against the wall of the ballroom. The
music ceased sooner than he expected, and Missus Thornton, who
had been talking with animation on the subject of several
fine pictures she had bought while abroad for the museum
(03:53):
in Golden Gate Park, including one by Macefield Price, broke
off with an impatient exclamation, bother, I must run up
to my room at once and telephone wait for me here.
She steered him toward a group of men. Mister Gwynn,
keep mister Ryleagh from causing a riot in the ball room,
he insists, upon dancing with his wife, hold him by force.
(04:15):
They were standing near the staircase and some distance from
the lift. Missus Thornton ran up the stairs, pausing for
an irresistible moment and looking down at the company. As
she stood there, poised, she looked a royal figure with
her cloth of gold train covering the steps below her,
and her high and flashing head. Wait for me, she
(04:36):
said imperiously to Pryce. I cannot meander down that corridor
deserted and alone. Raylah smiled at her, but said to
gwyn I'll just go and engage my wife for a
dance and be back in a jiffy. Gwinn clasped his
hand about Rayla's arm just a moment, old chap. I
want your opinion, but there is the music again. I'll
(04:57):
be knocking people over, you will if you go now,
and they'll be dancing for hours. Yet your wife has
been dividing up. Now tell me if you back me
in this proposition or not. I'm going to Washington to
represent you, fellows. But Rylah had broken politely away and
was walking down the long corridor. When he arrived at
the ball room, he saw at a glance that his
(05:19):
wife was not there, for the floor was only half filled.
But there were other rooms where dancers sat in couples
or groups. When tired, he went hastily through all of them,
but saw nothing of his wife, nor of do Remus. Missus.
Thornton had gone in search of her, and Gwynn knew
(05:39):
this time the hot blood was pounding in his head.
He felt as he imagined madmen did when about to
run amock or quite as primitive as any Californian of
the surging fifties. He was in one of the smaller rooms,
and he sat down in a corner, with his back
to the few people in it, and endeavored to take
hold of himself. The conventional training of several lifetimes and
(06:03):
his own intense pride forbade a scene in public. But
his curved fingers longed for Dormus's throat, and he made
up his mind that if his awful suspicions were vindicated,
he would beat his wife black and blue. That was
far more sensible and manly than running whining to a
divorce court. The effort at self control left him gasping,
(06:27):
and when he rose from his shelter, he was outwardly
composed and determined to seek Gwyn and force the truth
from him. He would not discuss his wife with another woman,
and whatever this hideous tragedy brooding over his life, he
would go out and come to grips with it. At
once part three, and in the long corridor he saw
(06:49):
his wife chatting gaily with a group of young friends.
Her color was paler than usual, perhaps, but that was
not uncommon at a party, and otherwise she was as
unruffled as normal in appearance and manner as when they
had parted at the Gwinn's. Nevertheless, he went directly up
to her, and as she gave a little cry of
pleased surprise, he drew her hand through his arm. Come,
(07:12):
he said, imperiously, you are to dance this with me.
I broke away on purpose. But Darling, I am full up.
You have skipped at least two I have been looking
everywhere for you. Polly Roberts dragged me upstairs to see
the new gowns. Monsieur DuPont brought her from Paris. They
came this afternoon, so did Missus Thornton's. But of course
(07:34):
I'll dance this with you. You don't look well, she added anxiously,
aren't you quite? But rather tired mentally? I need a dance,
he wondered if she had gently propelled him down the corridor.
They were some distance from the group. It was impossible
for him to go back and ask if his wife's
story were true. Missus Thornton was nowhere to be seen,
(07:57):
neither in the corridor nor in the ball room, nor
was de Remus. He set his teeth grimly and managed
to smile down upon his wife. I shall insist upon
having more than one, he said, gallantly, at least three hesitations.
She drew in her breath with a mock sigh, and
swept from under her long lashes a glance that still
(08:19):
had the power to thrill him outrageous. But I shall
try to bear up, and the next moment they were
giving a graceful exhibition of the tango. I don't see
your friend de remus, he said casually, as he stood
fanning her. At the end of the dance. She lifted
her eyebrows haughtily. My friend, that parasite. You seem very
(08:42):
friendly at dinner. I usually am with my dinner companion
once hostess is to be considered. Oh, I remember he
was telling me some very amusing gossip. Although he teased
me interfering, he wouldn't. Now if you are going to
dance his hesitation with me, you had better well me off.
It is mister Thornton's, and I see him coming. Rayla
(09:05):
did not see Duremus until supper was half over, and
then the young man entered the dining room hurriedly, his
usually serene brow lowering and his lips set. He walked
directly up to Ellne beastly luck, he exclaimed, Hello, Ryler,
didn't know you honored parties any more. I had to
break away to meet the overland train. Beastly thing was late,
(09:29):
of course. Then I had to take them to five
hotels before I could settle them. They had two beastly
little dogs, and the hotels wouldn't take them in, and
they wouldn't give up the dogs. Some one ought to
set up a high class dog hotel. Sure it will pay,
but you'll give me the first after supper, won't you.
Ellyne gave him a casual smile. That was a poor
(09:51):
reward for his elaborate apology. So sorry, she said, with
the sweet, distant manner in which he disposed of boors
and climbers. But mister Ryler and I are both tired.
We are going home directly after supper. End of chapter
five
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