The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-04-07
CHAPTER NNNNILI

Janet stood still. But where
are you going?" she asked.
at doesn't matter Rolt told
her. "Anywherc! | just want to
talk to you, that's all. Heard yoa
were back and Tvc been wanting
to see you"
But Rolf
care You going to say you
won't talk to me? Well, | hadn't
expected that. OF course If you
feel that way"
She glanced at him. then looked
away quickly. But we can't,
she said. 81 mcan-what did you
want 10 talk about
81 can't very well tell you
standing in the middle of the
sidewalk, can l? Come on. Wen
drop in at SANKEY'S
SANKEY'S restaurant in the next
block was one of the most fash
ionablc in Lancaster. Betty Car
lyle and her friends often lunched
there. Janet knew she couldn't
go there with Rolf.
She said. "Tm sorry but really
I can't. Mrs. Curtis is expecting
me-"
His eyes met hers directly.
"That's" an excuse, isn't it," he
said. "There's some reason why
Won don't want to come. The
same reason, ! suppose. why
you've been avoiding me for SO
long. | thought il was agreed
between us that we were going to
be Friends
Janet felt conspicuous standing
there on the street. She SAID,
Lets walk along. Pm on my
way TO take a bus" -.
"That's not an answer" Roll
objected as they moved along
side by side.
She refused to meet his eyes.
cor course we're friends" she
told him in a voice that was not
as steady rs it should have been.
"At least l want to be-"
He laughed rather unpleaS-
antly. "Only you'd rather never
see me. is that ito -,
you know that's not so, Rolf
It's Just that-wcll, | think 1T"
better for us not to see each
other. You remember what Betty
thought that night she came to
the house? ! don't want to Gauss
| any troublcw
$50 that's it." There was a
pausc and then Rolf went on more
seriously. "But ! really do want
TO talk to you. Janet. It's I'M
portant! I've got to talk to YOU
Listen. will you meet me this eve
ming"
Il can't do that" Janet inter-
rupted quickly.
The man went on as though he
| had not heard her. VIII you
meet me at nine o'cIock?" nc
asked. "Tll como to the oak tree
bacl, of the house"
"But you mustn't ask me to do
that. Rolf. l can't"
AT nine o'clock tonight, he
rcpoatcd. AT the oak tree"
The yellow bus appeared at the
corner block away. Janet Sa"
il with wave Of thankfulnesS.
81 won't be there" she told him
firmly. "Thcrc's no use Of you
coming" -.
He said. w'll be waiting for
vou," and touched his hat rs the
bus GANG to q halt.
Janet stepped into the vehicle
and found a scat. She knew that
her checks were flushed and her
! heart was pounding furiousIy'
But | won't go" she told her
self over and over again. "lf he
comes | won't be there.
Well, that was settled and
settled in the right way. koll
should know that it would never
do for them to meet secretly. She
wondered what he wanted to tax
TO her about. Not that it would
make any difference. She re-
viewed the conversation, assured
herself that her attitude had been
the right one. But what was Rolf
so anxious to talk to her about!
A dozen times during the att
crnoon that same question aroS9.
Once back in the big brick house
She felt secure again. There was
no use denying that seeing Rolf
had been temptation. 1t was a
temptation but she had risen
above it. 1t was Il comfortable
feeling to know that She had been
able to master the situation.
She could be very calm about
the whole affair now. If Rolf