The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1935-10-03

den decision to return Perhaps some
day she would tell Sophronia about
Gerald Lucas. Some day, when his
cool power over her and her capitu-
lation to him was only an evil dream,
she might tell Sophronia that it was
really from Gerald Lucas that she
had fled; that Jim, knowing Gerald
for what he was, had been overcome
by the knowledge that Silver was in
love with him, and had blamed him
self for exposing her to the corrup-
ton Of his own life.
Silver Grenoble, as she lay under
the willow tree, was conscious of a
great WEAKNESS, she knew deeply that
a change was coming, pervasive and
calm, into her being.
\
Roddy Willard brought his car to
the curb in front of Torson's place,
turned off the lights and stepped
down. Someone hailed him from
across the street, but he hesitated
only a moment and waved his hand.
At the end of the lunch counter,
Duke Melbank lounged, rolling a Gig
arctic in his pale, freckled hands. His
red hair famed.
"a cup of coffee, Lena" Roddy
said to the elder Torson girl as she
greeted him with a smile.
The he turned to speak to Duke.
"Time you were in bed, Duke" he re-
marked pleasantly. This tall, soft
bulk of a fellow was beneath con-
tempt, beneath anger, even for So
phronia's sake, although he had been
spreading gossip about Phronie's
niece ever since his famous visit to
Chicago earlier in the summer.
"You been away" Duke said as he
slumped down upon stool.
"Duke checks up on US, Lena
Roddy smiled. "We've got to watch
our STEP"
"No," Duke objected. II was just
thinkin' you amt heard, maybe, about
old Jim Grenoble."
Gentleman Jim ?"
Sure. Him / seen when was to
Chi last month. / could "a told then
he wounldn't come to no good end"
Anything happened?" Roddy ask
ed. There was certain leering know
ingness about Duke that filled him,
as always, with distaste.
"Plenty! He got himself shot last
night"
"My Cdr Roddy exclaimed. "Who
shot him? ?"
"Fella named Rawson, it was. The
police got him. Killed him when he
was tryin's to make his getaway.
Some O. them guys can shoot, no
foolin'!
"Poor old JIM" Roddy said to him
self. "Sophronia will take that pretty
hard, I'm a fraid."
Duke laughd mirthlessly. "Not SOS
you'd notice il"
you've seen herr"
81 seen her, all right, all right. And
how! She was down to meet the train
tonight"
"You mean-they sent the body"
Dukes hands played together. "Not
exactly. The one that came in to-
night wasn't what you'd call a dead
one. Ell, Lena? I'll tell the world! 1t
was Jim's daughter. Her seen that
night in Chi with big shot by the
name of Lucas"
"Is she here?" ...... 49,.
ashes out to the farm, if that's |
what you mean. But that oughtn't to |
worry you none. She won't be stayin'
long in these parts, if I know any
thing. Her kind don't belong round
here" He chuckted. give got her
all right, all right"
But Roddy did not hear the innu-
endo. Dukes disclosure had flished |
like lightning across his mind. He
tossed coin on the counter, seized
his hat and made for the door. l.
Driving home, he realized that he
was as near to panic as he ad ever
been in his life. What would this |
girls coming mean? She would I'M
doubtedly sell her land for cash. 1t |
was not likely that couple of hun
dred a year rental would interest her.
He had been sending that amount to |
Jim Grenoble, after the deduction of |
taxes, and Jim had promptly sent it |
back each time to his sister Sophronia. |