The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1935-11-28
There's Always
Another Year


used for the harvest dance. Conse-
quently, the loft of the old barn be-
low the hill, which had latterly
been used for surplus storage, came
into its own again. It looked as II
the whole countryside had turned
out, as well as many from Heron
River and Maynard. An improvised
orchestra-an accordion, fiddle, a
harmonica, horn, and a snare
! drum-made an irresistible music
that. seemed to come out of an un-
spoiled and wistful past. There
might come time, Silver thought,
when nowhere in the world could
one hear this simple, wild, untutor-
ed music that quickened ones
pulses and set one feet to flying
over the waxed, knotty floor. There
might-but it would be sad time.
Jason stood with Silver at one end
of the loft, where the orchestry was
getting ready to play for another
square dance.
~ st think I'll ask Paula for this
one" Jason said.
eff someone isn't ahead of you"
Silver said. "She seems to be very
popular tonight"
Jason was silent for moment.
srHave you ever noticed" he said
presently, what an awfully pretty
neck and head she has?"
paula is a handsome girl" Sill
yer observed. "She would make a
fine model for some painter" but
Jason hurried away as old Steve,
acting master of ceremonies, called
for the next dance.
Silver moved down to where
Roddy and Corinne were standing
together.
ct wonder what has happened to
Gerald Lucas" Corinne said as Sill
yer Joined them. Il sent him a
special invitation urging him to
come. and here it's midnight"
Silver smiled. "He may be stay
ing away on my account, Corinne.
told him once that didn't want
him to come here. He probably took
me at my word"
Corinne made no effort to conceal
her amazement. "You told him
matt"
Silver may have her own rea-
sons for not wanting him around
Roddy put in.
st have" Silver said lightly.
'Well-as have said before-it's
no affair of mine, after all, "Corinne
observed pointedly. 'But do think
when I take the trouble to invite
someone specially"
Forget it, Corrie," Roddy inter
rupted. ''There goes the next
dance"
He led her upon the floor as Phil,
the eldest of the Kitchener boys
came for Silver.
As they moved together into the
dance, neither of them noticed
Duke Melbank and companion
stagger up from the top rung OF
the loft ladder and make their way
into the crowd. Uppermost In Sill
ver's mind was the thought the she
was being received by the country
people here as if she were one OF
them.
Old Steve called out in his high
thin voice: "All joinh ands!"
Silver left Phil and joined the
girls who moved in q gay circle
past the men.
"Au swing!" old Steve shouted
aadenly. , ..,.,.,
Silver was at first too bewildered
to do anything more than gasp for
breath in the smothering embrace
that held her. It was moment or
two before she recognized the face
OF the man who had whirled her
into his arms. Then she saw that
it was Duke Melbank. She strug-
gled to free herself, only to be
clutched closer to his. swaying
body. She was aware now that he
was thoroughly drunk.
Lets get acquainted, Cutie!'
Duke Melbank muttered thickly
against her cheek. 1--WE liked you
ever since I saw you that night in
Chi"
Let me go!" Solver breathed
fiercely.
"Aw-can't you give guy q