The Coolidge examiner., 1935-11-29

while Roddy and Steve turned the
mass over and over with 1coop
ShOvelS.
Each then took corner of the
tarpaulin and lifted it into the
truck. ROddy climbed up and seat
ed himself at the wheel.
you get into the house and lie
! down, Phronie," Silver command
ed severely. I'm going out and
help spread it."
They bumped along for some dis
tance in silence.
rs there something l have to
learn-about scattering the bran?"
Silver ventured finally.
There's right way and a
wrong way" Roddy told her. Scat
ter it in flakes-not in Jumps. We
don't want the cattle to get a dose
of it. They might uncover it in
the fall and cattle don't thrive on
poison, as a usual thing. Just watch
the way Steve does it."
The air had become infested as
though by a swift, green-brown
hail which swept horizontally
along the earth. The hysterical
sound of the advancing hordes of
insects individualized itself hide
ously on the senses, and in the
scorching heat seemed, to Silver,
| to be burrowing into her brain. The
grasshoppers, in their insane, head
long flight, battered themselves
against the sides of the truck,
dashed with the sting Of pebbles
into the very faces of the riders.
And constantly, up and down the
succulent stalks of corn, the ap-
palling myriads moved with small,
ferocious alacrity, incredible greed.
From time to time, Roddy swore
softly under his breath or burst out
anew in futile wrath at the lacka-
daisical farmers to the westward
who had not done their share in
helping to stop the advance of the
plague.
Roddy glanced up at Silver and
| saw that her face was white and
drawn under the superficial flush
! caused by the heat.
Here, kid! You look about ready
to DROP" he cried with dismay.
He turned the truck about and
started more rapidly in the direc-
ton of the pasture below the hill.
"'YOu get out here, nOw," he said,
land run home. l don't know what
I've been thinking about! Beat 1t !"
Silver got down unsteadily and
started off.
Look in on Corinne," Roddy
called after her. "She wasn't feel
ing so well when l left the house."
Silver found Corinne in her room
upstairs, in a pitiful huddle on her
bed, the cOunterpane drawn over
her head and shoulders.
"Corrie! Silver said gently as
she seated herself on the side of
the bed. You'll die here, in this
| heat"
There was no response save for the
muffled sound of the girls sobbing.
Silvers patience suddenly left her.
"Here-pull yourself together
she said severely. It's no worse
for you than it is for the rest of
us"
The counterpane was flung Nfo-
lently aside and Corinne sat up. Her
tear-stained face worked spasmodi-
cally.
Listen to me, Corinne," Silver
said firmly. You get out of bed
and take a cold shower and come
down to the other house. You can't
go on like this. Everybody feels
crazy enough without your carry
ing on like a two-year-old."
But Corinne recOiled in sullen
obstinacy. "Tll not stir out of this
house today. Go away and leave
me alone"
After a moment, Silver got up
from the bed and started toward
the door.
Corinne sprang suddenly to her
feet. What do you mean by going
to Gerald Lucas and talking to him
about me?p she demanded. Il
know you did,
Silver paused and turned to look
at her. Did Gerald tell you that?"
she asked.
"Why shouldn't he tell me?"
'T thought he'd have more sense,
that's ALL" Silver replied.
Corinne laughed cOntemptuOusly.
81 should think you'd have more
sense than to interfere in my af-
fairs. It's really funny-you and
Roddy-the salt of the earth-try-
ing to reform me-" Her mood
changed abruptly. 'I'll not have it.
I'll live my own life-as | want to
live it-and l don't want any mis-
sionary work on my behalf-by you
or anyone else. From now on,
please remember"
"Corinne!" Silver interrupted agi-
tatedly, and stepped toward her.
I'm not trying to reform you. l
was simply trying to appeal to Ger
AIDS decency."
"Decency! What does anyone in
this place know about decency?
Roddy had his chance to be decent.