The daily independent., 1936-09-07
BIR es H 4 s Il a R
= BY MARY SCEHE,NGyANN
copyrghd by Smith scrvice

visited the different departments,
| checking with the forcmen on the
progress Of the work.
A little after ten a long distance
call came IN from Congress City
about same steel nlcsh thc.v had
delivered for, road building. Potter,
the contractor, complained that il
was not Of the specified thickness.
and was much annoyed! Hugh
promised to send a man to look at
it at once. Potter was a good GUS
toner; it wouldn't do TO offend him.
He sent for the records, talked
with the foreman and decided to
make the trip to Congress City him.
self, q drive Of 50 miles.
A fine day-and if he drove, why
not take Dorric? They could go
over the New Portland highway,
which wound along a ridge Of the
hills. Fine scenery. He tried to
telephone her but the line was
busy. She had told him she wasn't
going out today--he would have
some sandwiches packed at the
club, drive up and get her. She
would probably be glad to have the
outing.
With his basket Of lunch which
the chef at the GLIB had put up for
him, and driving toward home, he
felt an eXpanaing g!ow:with!n him.
self at this uncEpccted break in the
daily order. A day with Dorric,
out under the sky and sun, would
work its magic, would smooth out
misunderstanding, draw them clos
er in harmony.
He saw Tillie, the maid, moving
q dust cloth over an upstairs win
dow sill as he went up the walk.
Dorrie was telephoning at the hall
table in a low almost inaudible
voice as he entered the front door.
She TUNED at the sound of his foot
steps, and the look which came
over her face, startled, almost an
cry, gave him feeling of shock.
She hung up the receiver quickly
without saying good-by.
What brings you home? For
get somcthing?" she inquired light
ly. A flush colored her cheeks.
mo. I came to see if you would
like to go iaunting."
"Where?"
Congress City. The contractor
there is kicking about the road
mesh we sent. Want to go?"
She hesitated. mo, you go along
alone. I'm not dressed and there
are things l want to Co."
The telephone pealed sharply.
Dorrie whirled abruptly for it, but
Hugh had already lifted the re-
ceiver to his ear. Hello :.
hello hello"
He hung up. mo one on the line
apparently! You don't want to
go? What's the reason? Haven't
made date, have you? We could
drive over the Portland highway
they say it is beautiful scenery"
The flush on her face had faded;
she looked rather pale. 1T does
sound nice, retonsidering. I'll co."
'T had a lunch packed and
thought we would eat along Lone
some River"
She smiled family in approval.
"TIl slip into that green dress you
like and be with you III minute"
In the country Dorrie sang soft
ly, a snatch OF this, a bit of that,
rhythmical accompaniment to the
purring Of the engine. They chose
the less frequcnted narrow roads
which led past rich farms, gently
rolling hill farms, brooks dividing
the pastures where cattle grazed,
ponds which reflected the blue sky
and its cottony wisps of cloud.
It was July when the season
pauses in stiffness. The sparkling,
capricious spring was past; there
was no hint of autumn.
The new highway crested the
hills. They drove higher and high
er until a panorama of countryside,
the sweep Of field, the darkness of
wood, the stubble of cut grain and
simmer of piled wheat, extended
in great rolling distances to right
and left of them, so far that blue
haze met the horizon.
Dorrie touched his arm. Lets