The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1935-09-19

sue HaO CnFOWH n0F aTnS aDOuC nAS
neck and sobbed that she had always
loved him and that she would marry
him as soon as he wished.
Her mother, plump, pink little
woman, with soft hands and dispo-
sition to ignore the catastrophe that
had be fallen the Meaders, gave them
her blessing with bright gaiety that
admitted not the least suspicion of
any incongrairy in the match.
Corinn, of course, must have prop
er wedding, even if things were bad.
"a quiet little wedding here at
home," Mrs Meader said briskly. "The
Congregational church is too big and
cold"
Roddy had seen through Mrs. Mea-
der's little pretext. But Corinne had
looked across at him with widening
amusement in her eyes, and he had
gravely suppressed grin.
He had spent the day with the
Meaders, although he was uncomfort-
,, able with pity for old Edwin, who
Ssat, oblivious of all that went on
about him, in a chair in his study.
Thus it had happened. Roddy pull
ed himself erect in is car as he came
to the turn in the road that led west
ward past Twin Deer lake. Over
there, a mile or so across brush and
prairie, blinked the dozen street lights
of Heron River. BY this time, he re-
Elected the usual crowd would have
left the village and gone their ways.
He turned his car away from the
highway and headed for the village.
People seated on their screened ver-
andas in the town of Ballantyne OBJ
served that faint breeze had sprung
up from the southwest, and although
it was pleasant after the heat of the
day, it might mean rain for the NOR
row. With harvest so near at hand.
But Corinne Meader, undressing in
her mauve and white bedroom, was
grateful for the breeze that caressed
her hot throat and temples from the
open window. She brushed her hair
with hurried strokes. But her own
beauty-which had availed her moth
ing!--staredr back at her from her
mirror, and presently she leaned for
J. ward on her palms and gazed long
and intently at her own image.
"And so-you are going to marry a
farmer, my dear!" her lips said
softly.
Mrs. Meader opened the door, clos
ed it behind her, and stole into chair
beside Corinne's dressing table as
though some conspiracy were afoot.
Darling" the mother breathed,
"you won't mind my sitting for a
minute while you get ready for bed?
Tm-I'm just as excited as though
it were who were getting married!
It's also unexpected-I had no idea!
But Roddy is dear, Corinne-a per-
feet dear!"
"He's awfully good-looking," Co
rinne said with forbearance, and con-
tinued to wing out her hair with her
brush.
"And he has quite lage farm, too,
hasn't he?" Mrs. Meader was saying.
E'And quite near Maynard. 1t isn't as
though you were going to be maroon
ed on some backwoods homestead for
the rest Of your days. You can drive
over to see US often, too, after you're
married"
81 suppose so," Corinne conceded.
ooh, dear-it's going to be terrible
giving up this house, darling-if it
5eomes to that. After all these years!
But l mustn't talk about such things
now-and you so happy"
"You won't have to give up the
House, now that I'm provided for"
Corinne reminded her cynically.
Mrs. Meader chose to let that pass.
"Of course" she observed, eff you
had married Sylvester Edgett when
he asked you"
"Mother!" Corinne squealed. ellis
pimples"
Mrs. Meader gave a deprecating
little laugh. 81 didn't mean that seri-
eusly, darling, you know that. And
anyhow, he's only a bookkeeper."
Corinne, although she was still ad
dressing herself, spoke aloud. eyes,
Icould have married Sylvester. Or |
could go now and clerk at eleven dol
las a week in Ellingboe's dry goods
store. And all the girls in town rouln