The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-10-09

tant? | mean, have you gotta get
'em there"
Kate nodded, looking at him
with aversion. She did not know
who had been at fault in the acct
dent. Probably Zeke, in coming
out on the highway. She only
knew they must get the baked
hams to the Pendennis club as
they had contracted to do. She
said decisively to her trembling
sister, lets stand here and hail
somebody to pick up Zeze and the
hams" -
mo- said the dark stranger,
making a quick decision. Leave
it to me. I'll take the old man
and your stuff myself. I'll pay
damages on your car, too: STAND
over there by the gate while look
it over. Stand we'll back out OF
the road"
The girls and Zeke obeyed.
Kate whispered to Caroline, $50
it was his fault! And he admits
it. Pinch me if Pm dreaming"
=
While they waited near the
stone gate, the man made an cx-
pert investigation of the car he
had damaged. He tried the motor,
which, strange to say. still ran.
He examined the lights, the wind
shield, the windows, the chassis.
He used tools from his own car
in the investigation. When he mad
finished he returned the tools to
his car, wiped his hands on a
flashy handkerchief from his coat
pocket, and approached them.
Sensing Rates leadership, he
addressed her. Fifty dollars will
fix it up. The motor amt hurt.
You'll. need new fender and a
few other little REPAIRS He drew
roll of bills from his pocket and
skinned off the top one. Kate saw
that it was actually $50, and
thanked him.
A passing roadster slowed to a
stop and the stranger waved it on.
"No help needed he called. A
truck, following Immediately aft
err, received the same information.
To Kate he said confidentially,
"No use dragging other people in
to this. It's our business. 4eah?"
When the road was clear again
he said briskly, "Well, let's move
the meat to my car and get goin'.
| can't fool around"
This was done, but just as Zcke
was about to step into the stran,,
gers automobile, Kate surprised
Caroline by saying, I'D rather
Zeke stayed here with our car.
Ny sister and | will go into town
with you and deliver the hams.
Is your car all right"
1t appeared that it was. The
luxurious big machine with an
eastern license had suffered moth
ing but a loosened fender and
broken headlights. Presently they
were moving off. From the back
seat Kate and Caroline waved en-
couragingly to Zeke who was
looking after them anxiously.
"Poor old fellow" Caroline said,
"He's more dazed than | am. |
hope he'll have sense enough to
60 and call garage"
For five miles, perhaps, no one
spoke. Then the man said abrupt
ly, you'll have some spare parts
stolen, Pm afraid, while the old
mans telephoning." His tone inn
piled that he was sorry but could
do nothing about it.
A few more miles in silence,
and Kate made discovery. ooh,
dearw she walled. zone hams a
wreck! GravePs worked through
where the papers torn"
Cooked ham," came an inter-
ested query from the front.
"Yes," answered Kate. Cant
you smell it? Slow baked
Suddenly the man was looking
back at them, slender, shining
knife in his hand. "Cut me a
hunkw he commanded. 81 have
not had time to eat since yeSter-
day noon"
Kate took the knife, gingerly.
She began to cut the ham. She
knew the man had stolen their
license plates. She was wonder
ing what she should do.