Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-11-28

Ten minutes later, while Sally was
III the kitchen filling the tea pot for
supper. the sound Of an automobile
and sigh Of the bitter December
wind.
That's Aunt En-, with her turkey
and her cranberries,' she said to
herself, and hurried out to the back
steps to help her carry her bundles
into the house.
But the backyard was dark and
empty under the deepening twilight.
"She must have stopped the car az
the front porch" thought Sally, and
went back into the house.
The kitchen was brightly lighted,
but the front Of the silent house was
wrapped in the early winter dusk.
Sally stumbled against a chair as
she crossed the dining room.
just as she reached the doorway
between the dining room and hall,
the front door swung softly open.
Just for q second q mans figure was
outlined against the opening, and
then the door closed again without a
sound. There was the sound OF
a football.
IL was too much for Sally, whose
nerves were all on edge after weeks
Of loneliness and melancholy in the
silent old place. She let out a wild
and blood-curdling shriek-a shrek
Of pure terror.
And then, as she rushed madly
back towards the bright safety Of the
kitchen. she heard John Nye's voice
just behind her.
"Sallyl Sally It's John. Don't be
afraid" he said to her, and caught
her in his arms just Is she reached
the swinging door OF the pantry. And
Oh, the comfort of those two arms
rough coat against her cheek!
rouxht coat against her cheeki
For a moment Sally stood close to
him, fighting the strongest kind Of
impulse to hold him tight and press
her face against his, Just for n
perfect instant. I'D always have
that TO remember, anyway" she
thought wildly.
she was very close TO Mysteries
after her fright. Tears were under
her eyclids and yelling up in the
back Of her throat. They were In
her voice when she tried to speak.
"0h, IL" she said, and could say
nothing more.
She put out a hand and pushed
open the pantry door. John Nye fol-
lowed her cut into the big white
and-hlue kitchen, where the back
door still stood open 70 the wind and
the rain.
John stalked across the kitchen
aud closed il carefully. When he
turned back into the she saw
that his face was oddly white and
stern. Il should have come in
this way instead Of frightening you
TO death" he said. II suppose you're
wondering why / came back at ALL
Sally Ind not thought OF that un-
I'll now. but she nodded her head.
"Tell me-" she managed 70 b.urt
cut. She was still breEtiess, and her
heart was pounding like a tiny ham
mer under the soft blue linen Of her
dress. Her shoulders-her round
and lovely shoulders-heaved a little.
"Well, r. came back 70 ask you
about something you said 20 me a
while ago. John Nye began. stand
ing with his back 70 the door. SO
that the whole Dol was between
them.
You asked me II 1 thought you
were peculiar because Of some extra
little things that you did for me
when you worked in my office last
year" he went on. "And ] told you
Me-
lie gave her q long, searching
look. "Why did You ask me that
question. Sally;"
For q second or 80 there was dead
silence III the big. bright. warm com.
Then there came = tiny wailing
sound from behind the door that led
"a the pantry.
Sally knew what Il was, ard
pushed open the door "a let In the
small stray cat that she had been
'~'mothering" fer two days. IL came
scampering 70 her. rubbing It's fluffy
little self against her ankle, and
mewing ~riteousiy for milk.
Sally brought Il a saucer7ul from