Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1936-07-09
by FRANCES SHELLEY WEES
Copyright by Frances Shelley Wees
WNU Service
CHAPTER V-Continued
ii p


dynamo stood greasy and unrespon-
sive, Bryn detached a pair of overalls
from a peg on the wall and climbed
into them. "Now," he said, when
Gary had given him the pathological
history of the electric plant, IF you'll
go and prepare large and delectable
dinner, and leave me alone In my
glory, I'll see what's to be done, Gary"
There was, as Bryn had suspected,
nothing seriously wrong with the en-
CINE Of the electric plant He opened
the cocks to drain out all the old oil,
cleaned the connections, and made
note of the few parts it would be
necessary to replace. Before the mo-
tor was started, he decided, 1t would
be wise to inspect the connections at
the house. He removed the greasy ov-
erals, hung them, on the peg.
He went to the kitchen and got
drink Gary was Smelling peas. All
morning, as Bryn knew, he and Debo-
rah had spent making strawberry jam;
and now every window-sill was filled
with small ruby jars which caught
and held the sunlight.
"Where's there ladder?" he asked.
"Out on the edge of the orchard"
Gary told him. But you better be
careful of it. 1t isn't as good as it
might be-"
Bryn went out behind the house and
followed with his eye the line of the
electric wires as they crossed the
trees and the brook. He went OUT to
the orchard, lifted the ladder lying
half-hidden in the grass carried it
back and propped it up against the
wall of the house, beneath the place
where the wires entered. Trying each
rung cautiously, he went up the ladder.
AS he reached the top he turned
half-around as he took the pliers from
his pocket, and was just in time to
see Deborah emerge from her retreat
down near the bridge. He did not look
at her, but went busily to work, whis-
thing blithely, attacking the wires at
their point Of connection with the
house.
| There was a sudden ominous crack
ing which Bryn scarcely heard he was
listening for Deborah's footstep on
the path beside him, wondering wheth-
err to look down and smile or to con-
tinue absorbedly with his work. He
was spared the necessity of making
choice; for, a moment after the I'M
needed warning, the rung upon which
he was standing collapsed into splin-
tiers, and Bryn fell neatly through. He
heard Deborah scream; the puppy
parked furiously; and then he dropped
into oblivion.
He awoke, few moments later,
with something cold dashing across his
forehead, and the sound of Deborah's
voice saying in whisper, More,
Gary, get more, quick!" The sound
of footsteps. Bryn lay motionless, col
lecting himself. He was not hurt. He
knew he was not hurt. The grass was
thick, here, and he had broken his
fall; his head had probably been
whacked just hard enough to put him
out for a minute or two. He did not
open his eyes. Deborah was beside
him. She put her hand ON his fore
head, lifted the wet hair back from
his brow.
She bent over him. "Don't die"
she whispered like breath. Don't
die, please don't die" 4
He moved his head family, and lift
ed his hand. He would find hers
with his wedding ring ON it he
would hold it firmly, and tell her
her little white hand he CROPPED
for it,. e
Something soft and light fell on his
cheek, delicate gentle touch. He
caught his breath and held it. The
touch came again, gentle, on his cheek,
at the side of his mouth. He threw
off his pretense of weakness, put his
hand up quickly, opened his eyes, his
heart humping; and found himself
clutching with both handsHthe puppy,
nosing him in an anxiety of acuriosi-
ty. Deborah was gone. :. ;<s.
He got up with the puppy nnder his
arm and strolled grimly 'aroAhd the
corner, to meet Gary, wild-eyed, APP
preaching with Drumming dipper of
water. &. =
"You aren't hurt, sir?" Gary gasped
breathlessly. aren't you hurt?" I;
mot scratch" Bryn. replied:
Sorry to brighten you"
WELL that is good" Gary said with
heartfelt emotion. II got a terrible
fright. And Miss Deborah was COM
ing to the house and saw you fall.
She :" he stopped.
"She what?" Bryn asked calmly
"She's crying"
Evening came on again; dinner was
served in the. dining room, brighter
now with host Of tall tapers. Grand
mother was happy tonight, gay and
light hearted. When dinner was over
she wanted to go for little stroll.
1t was a glorious night. The moon
had already risen, and hung huge
silver lamp, just over the top Of the
lowest hill. The sky was deep blue.
Grandmother leaned on Bryn's arm
Deborah was on her other side.
They came back to the front porch
at last, but Grandmother did not stop.
She did not seem to notice their awk-
ward silences. She walked to the
| oorpar of tho hO1ca opd thara traptl,,