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

a crest OF the gentle ridge Wnlcn sup
ported the new farmstead. The girl
had her hands in the pockets of her
white linen dress, and her eyes, which
Phronie had ascertained were a very
dark blue, were fixed upon the old
house down below. Phronie followed
her glance, and saw that old Roderick
had placed ladder against the north
wall, and with an armful of shingles
~sud tools had begun the ascent of the
roof. - :.
'Tell me, Phronie," Silver asked
suddenly, "are you moving into the
old house because Roddy is getting
married, or because I, am here?"
because you are here? ?" Phronie
was indignant. 81 never heard the
like! Roedrick and / always said
that as soon as either of the boys gets
married, back we go to the old place.
Young people have right to start
out by themselves, always hold"
Silver was silent for a moment as
kAe thought over what her aunt had
hid. "I'm glad" she murmured at
last. 81 was afraid-perhaps-"
Afraid of what?"
81 thought maybe Roddy's wife
might not approve of me-because of
dad"
The angry red sprang into Sophro-
MAS cheeks. "She won't approve of
me, neither, then-1'm Jim's sister.
Corine Meader ought to be glad she's
got home to come to, if know any
thing. And 1 don't think she'll be fool
enough to listen to every Tom-Dick-
and-Harry's yarns. And if she does
let her! Jason1l stay with them in
the new house, cause he fixed up his
own room in the attic there just the
way he likes it-with skylight an
all for his funny oil paintin'. Jason's
a queer one-but he won't bother
Corinne, unless she can't stand him
and his mouth organ"
"You said something about yarns,
Phronie," Silver said. "Do you mean
things that fellow at the station last
night has said about me?
Sophronia hesitated for moment.
"Well, there's no use tryin' to hide
from you what you'll find out for
yourself anyhow, sooner or later. Yop
low what people are, just as well as
Edo. When they've got nothing to do,
they'll talk. Did you see that Duke
Melbank when he was in Chicago this
SUMMER"
dad said he came into our place
enc night, but don't remember see
ing him. So many people used to
come and go"
"Well, he amt worth rememberin'.
But he has ben talkin' since he came
back" ,...s
Silver laughed ruefully. "Was he
talking about dad?"
"Well-mostly about YOU"
Color rushed into Silver's cheeks.
"About me? What does that creature
know about me?"
Sophronia mi ed reassuringly.
t'Some people talk most when they
know least. AS far as I can make
out-the boys have been tellin' me
Duke don't say so much, but he hints
plenty. There was friend of Jim's,
wasn't there? A fellow by the name
Of Lucas, I think"
| Gerald Lucas" Silver said, with
her eyes fixed upon the downward
slope of the hill. 81 met him six
months ago-two months ago-I
though I wanted to marry him."
"What manner Of fellow was he ?"
) EGonie asked, conversationally.
/ r"Gerald used to practice law out
West, but he got into some sort of
tror,I,e and was disbarred.- Now he's
against the world-and the world is
against him."
Sophronia nodded sagely. i guess
I | understand. Them outcasts appeal
to women. I'm glad you got away
/ from him without anything worse
happenin'."
:Silver's eyes darted to her aunt's
face. Her heart sank. Sophronia was
of another world, a good woman,
placidly taking it for granted that
her niece was still virtuous. Over the
bleak loneliness that welled up with
| in her, Silver resolved that it was bet
ter not to disillusion Phronie. After
| all, she need never know.
eyes," Silver said breathlessly,
looking away, 81 might have married