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

came he would simply find that he
had been foolish. Janet knew that
she would spend the evening with
Mrs. Curtis, either reading TO her
or possibly playing cards. There
was a new game Mrs. Curtis had
learned at Silver Bay of which she
was very fond. Even if Janet had
not decided against it. it would
be quite impossible for her to
meet Rolf.
And then something happened
70 Jolt her assurance. The eve
ming began just as Janet had been
sure it would. She and Mrs. Cur
It's had dinner and afterward their
coffee was served in the living
room. They were still sitting
there when the telephone rang:
Janet said. "Tll answer be-
cause it was Lucy's night off. She
arose and want into the library.
a moment later she was back
to say that Mrs. Thornton was
calling 20 ask if Mrs. Curtis would
like to see the now picture at the
Century. If she would the Thorn
tons would stop for her in twenty
minutes.
"Why, Of course" Mrs. Curtis
exclaimed. "Tcll hcr-no, wait!
I'll go myself"
At 10 minutes after eight the
bell rang and Janet answered.
Mr.. and Mrs. Thornton entered
and t the same moment Mrs.
Curtis, wearing hat and coat,
came hurrying down the stairs.
T'm all ready" she said. I'm
so glad you tclcphoned. We'd
better go right along, | suppose.
Goodby, Janet
They were off in whirl Of
chiffon and lilac perfume and the
heavy scent Of Mr.. Thornton's
cigar. Janet stood SOr a moment
and watched the car drive away.
Then she went back to the living
room and turned on the radio.
A dance orchestra, playing one
Of the tunes she had heard oftcT
at Silver Bay. came on the air.
Listening, Janet felt irritatcd AMI
snapped off the switch. The song,
died in the midst of Il pIalntIyc
tenor chorus.
Janet picked up magazine and
tried to read. The words parad-
ing before her eyes were mean
inglcss. She could not keep her
attention on them. The house
seemed quiet. SO quiet she could
hear the tick of the clock acro*i
the room. Janet glanced t il
Twenty minutes Of nine.
In 20 minutes more Rolf would
be there. Janet tried again 10
read. She mustn't think about
Rolf. She wouldn't go to mc":
him, of course. That was oIt IT
the question.
She looked at the printed page
and thought, 81 didn't try to make
things happen the way they have.
It's not my fault"
But it would be her fault if she
went out the side door and down
the hagstOnc walk to the oak tree.
There would be no one else To
take the blame for that.
It was 18 minutes now. And
now II. How fcarfully quiet the
house was. Not a sound EXCEPT
Che clock. Not Il sound? Oh, yes
there waS-thcre was the beating
of Janct's heart. She could feel 1t
drumming away 50 noisily that if
anyone else had been in the room
they must surely have heard Il,
too. The clock and the steadily
pounding heart kept up a sort OF
duct.
Janet rose and moved about
the room restlessly. She thought,
"Hc said it was important. !
wonder what he wants. Perhaps
it really is important" .
And then quickly But it cant
make any difference! | told him
I couldn't see him.
ImpulsivcIy she turned to the
radio again, tuned in a noisy or
chestra and let the brassy notes
! fill the room. 1t was hideous but
it was better than the silence.
The sound seemed TO steady her.
No. she would not go to meet
| Rolf.
L was 10 minutes after nine
when she stepped out Of the
house. 4 few more nights and
the moon would be complete
golden circle. It shonc down
brightly on a crooked patch Of the
, lawn. The rest was shadowcd by
! trees and the hedge at one side OF