Evening star., 1934-10-17


4 i tragedy during school days
and of Silver's reaction.
There had been the time Silver's
Imported chow dog had been run
over by a truck Silver had seemed
more angry at the driver than con-
cerned over the dog. Marian hac
been the one to carry the whimper
ing animal to her room, summon INC
veterinarian, then accompany the DOG
to the hospital to stand by while his
forelegs were put into casts.
She remembered, too. that after
the casts had been removed and IN
dog moved about with a grotesque
limp. Silver had discarded him WIN
a laugh. Oh. well. he was happier
than he had ever been with her. He
spent serenely glorious days on inc
Gordon ranch, chasing cotton tails
he could never catch, because his hor
50 closely resembled their own.
Perhaps marriage. four years 81
living in unity with another being
had taught her something. Softeneo
her. Husbands were more important
than pets. Yet Marian believed one
could gauge much of persons char
acter by their treatment OF ANIMALS
That made her think of Lon and his
Hero. the big golden blond German
shepherd who rode about with him
when she wasn't in the car. she
must see he wasn't deprived of his
rides. The three of them could ride
in that wide seat.
They were circling Sacramento. She
nut her thoughts aside like so many
cards as they landed. A messengel
was waiting for her with wire
From Bowen probably. She hesitateo
a moment before opening it, then did
and read:
"Hondon holding his own May last
through night. Effect reconciliation
Bowen
Marian handed the wire to Estes
who read it with queer little snort Of
disgust: He must think you're Dar
Cupids twin sister" he remarked.
Marian smiled. but she was relieved
that her word to Silver wouldn't bt
one of death She relaxed, as they
took off again. and when the steward
ess came with sandwiches, salad anc
coffee. found her early evening appe-
tite had returned.
Refreshed, she leaned back. de-
termined to enjoy the trip. Dark blue
sky above. a lazy old moon working
its way up from the hills below ano
ahead of them. The far flash of bea-
cons wheeling white rays against the
silvered tips of the SierraS, or punctu-
atlng the landscape with dots of red
and blue
Somewhere down there was hel
home. its planted acres spread out like
a tattered crazy quilt with pines and
redWoodS for a fringe. She wondered
If the family would hear the roar OF
the ship and remark There goes the
east bound" never realizing she was
in it
Lulled by the rush of the ship
through the night she relaxed, slept.
Estes prodded her into conscious
ness as they topped the divide, mo-
ment later, pointing out Truckee be-
low and then not long after thai
the long straight row of lights which
marked Reno's thoroughfare. She
was wide awake by the time the ship
Ildu ldAlCu lllOO tIlt Nucb iAoiiSoA
opened into the reception room.
Henry Marks. the Dispatch CORE
SpOndent was waiting at the door
and rushed them through without the
ceremony of a greeting.
Got to step on it, he remarked
as he uShered them into his car
We're taking the Galena Creek road
over Mount Rose. It's a little rough
and may be slick on the top side but
we couldn't make it in time by any
other route Hang on and pray
Marian understood what he meant
few moments later. They had LEFT
the Carson highway and were racing
it seemed, straight for the sky. She
who had ridden fire trucks, police
ambulanCes and airplaneS gripped tht
side of the car and hoped the equip.
age would stay on the road. and she
In the car.
And then she forgot her fear. They
had topped the mountain and below
spread out like a Crinkled piece o.
silver paper, lay the mOon-w washed
Lake Tahoe. trimmed with snow
peaked mountains and fringed with
black pines.
Swiftly they descended to The
shore rolled along the road to turr
into an imposing gray-stone entrance
and follow the drive to a large rocs
and log lodge. around which were
smaller log buildings.
Marks drew up before one of these
already hedged in with parked cars
and Marian sat looking at it. Behind
the mountains reared, pine and fl
covered to the snow line Before il
lay the lake For one Scant moment
it appeared to be a pioneer lodge or