Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1933-03-31
Did you say she'd had

l her. LID you say she'd had
anything to eat today"
That must be Laurine! The voice
l moved nearer as if its owner were
approaching the stairs. Joyce, in a
panic, looked wildly about for
some escape. Couldn't she have
one day to herself? She thought of
locking the door. Then, afraid to.
delay another second, she DASHED
out to the sleeping porch, pulled
down the covers of the neatly
) made bed, and slid between the
sheets. With humping heart she
half-buried her face in the pillow,
shut her eyes tightly and tried to
compose herself into a state where
she could breathe quietly,
Firm steps sounded approaching
the door, and a vocie said, "Frills?
Where are you? -. OH" The
!, voice trailed off into a soft MUIR
muir as the speaker evidently dis
covered the sleeping form in the
bed.
The caller stood quietly by the
berside for such a long time that
Joyce grew nervous. Why didn't
the woman go away? Couldn't she
see that Frills was asleep? Or did
she guess that she was shamming?
Just as she felt that she could
not stand it a minute longer, and
must either giggle Or choke, she
heard her unseen caller depart.
THANK goodness! My, I'm
roasted" She threw off the covers
and got up cautiously, creeping
into the room to listen to what
happened downstairs. She heard
the same voice speaking but could
not distinguish the words Finally,
however, the front door opened
and closed.
So rested and SO much more
confident did she find herself that
she decided to go downstairs, risk
ing the meeting with any callers
who might appear.
Roxie was by one of the win
dows reading a newspaper. Seeing
Joyce, she stood up.
II slept longer than I expected
to-" said Joyce, "and I'm sorr Of
hungry" she said, finding it i'm
possible o to slip into a concilia-
Ivory tone and attitude. els there
something to eat / could have, Il
wonder?"
'Why, of course, ma'am," re-
piled Roxie promptly, would you
like a regular lunch Or just tea?"|
"Tea, please" The very thought
was luxurious.
Certainly, ma'am. Would you
like sandwiches with it, or Just
cake?"
"Oh, sandwiches, please. I'm so
hungry. And l wonder if 81
she went on, intentionally con-
WINGED that Frills never asked for
anything in this apologize fashion,
'-er-I'd like some orange juice
to drink, too"
Eyes, ma'am. Will you have it
out on the terrace or up in your
room?"
Joyce decided hastily that she
would take a chance. ION the ter
race, please"
She enjoyed the food almost
more than her breakfast, refecting|
with half-ashamed amusement that
her appetite was good in spite of
awaking to find herself Mrs. Neil
Packard! Ought any one in her ter
rlble Predicament enjoy food so
enthusiastically?
She was just draining the last
drop of orange juice and wishing
regretfully that she had more,
when a mans voice at the doorway
startled her SO, she nearly dropped
the glass.
"My Lord, Frills, since when
have you taken to drinking orange
juice?"
A man crossed the terrace with
quick steps, sat down on a chair
close beside her and leaning for
ward looked at her with an express
sion of lively concern.
did l ~startle you? Sorry! I guess
your nerves are jumpy after what
happened. How do you feel,
sweetheart"
Joyce had been completely taken
by surprise and, in her condition
of excited apprehension, his en-
trance upset her so thoroughly
that she could scarcely speak.
Continued Next Week
Advertise in The Watchman-it
pays.