Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-12-24

and Leone was hurrytnE to be there.
The wedding was scheduled for three
In the afternoon and It was two as
she approached the halfway point
where a new resort was Sprlnging into
existence. She had an hour 10 travel
the thirty miles remaining before her,
and It ought to be easy.
LeOne's thoughts were of the 1irt-
ing captain rs she approached house
! that was being erected beside the
! road.
This was the house TINT Fred Rich
ards had contract to build. He had
been builder all his life. following
In the footsteps of his father, and
when he laid aside his khaki he went
into business on his own account: aud
nclworth county.
Fred was anxious over the contract.
He was behind on his schedule. due to
4 scarcity Of carpenters. SO he donucd
an apron and went at driving nails
In earnest.
On the day of Jane Jarvis wedding
Fred hung out of window in the up
per story of the new house and adj
justcd some old-fashioned shutters
that the owner Of the domicilc in
sisted should be IN adornmcnt of his
new abode.
1t was an awkward position Fred
was forced to put himself in In order
to perform the task, ind perhaps that
was the reason he lost his balance
and nearly fell when he pulled ham
lner from pocket and the prongs
caught In his clothes. He managed to
regain his equilibrium, but in the
ket lie Ind been wearing. This trim.
ket, In falling, somehow managed to
receive considerable prOpellIng force.
Just as Leone Jarvis roadster
passed the house she heard an omi-
nous kissing, followed by thump.
thunp. thump.
The feeling Of veXation developed
into anger when she discovered n bent
nail ClInginG to the HIT tire. She be-
came furious when she considered the
pOSitin" I. i.idccd her In She would
be late to her sisters wedding; for
she had no spare tire and it would
take some time to repair the damage
'Those carpenters are to blame"
she ragged. rs she heard several ham
merS pounding In the new house be-
side the road. "They ought to help
me-"
She strobe toward the house and
accosted the first man she saw. He
was leaning out Of second story
window adjusting a green shutter.
II have n puncture-and you're to
blame" she called. II picked up q
nail you left on the road. and I'm
stranded and in a horrible hurry, too
What are you going to do about it?"
The man looked Gown at her, rather
whimsically 1t seemed.
"Whnt'll we do about it?" he echoed
"Why, We'll fix the thing, of course.
That's the only thing to do, Isn't it?"
He disappeared from the window
and presently came llmping out OF the
house.
His eyes became big and round as
he looked Mt her. standing rs though
dnzed. But his eyes were no bigger
or roundcN than Ieonc's, and he was
no more daZed. However. by struggle
they rcgGincd their comp0surc and
without uttering II word walked TO the
stalled rondster.
THE nail didn't cnusc the pune.
ture." he said. pulling 1t from the
fiat tire. "See, it scarcely penetrated
the surface Of the casing"
he crouched on the road and ex-
amincd the tire carefully.
Here II Is" he said presently, and
with the aid of pair Of pliers which
she handed him he pulled an object
from the tire and held 1t up. At first
ne looked puzzled. and then broad
smile crept across his face, and her
countenance assumed 4 duplicate Of 1t.
Il told you," he said, STRENGTHENING
up, his eyes bright with strange
nsht md his voice sounding rs musI-
cal rs 1T did that night when the moon
was full, II told you It would HELM
me track you, and then. Will Won
VIII You forgive mo for the puncture ?"
Yes" she said. meeting his frank
gaze with one just as frank and as
sincere. II Will. Tm-I'm glnd II hoD.
pened--cvcn IF 1t does make me Int
for sisters wedding.
1t was. Of course. n tiny gold min
with broken clasp.
lie carefully attached the trinkct IN
the under side Of n coat lanel.