The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-07-10
by Ida R. Gleason
a 1856 NEA Service. Inc.


"Susie brought it back to me
early the morning after Miss Fos-
dick had been fired at, though. she
never mentioned it at the time;
| didn't know what had happened
until the men and Eb came to my
cabin. They found the gun had
been fired, but Eb didn't have any
chance to explain then. 1t was
when he went down to the tool
house after breakfast, that ne tod
me he hadn't used the gun nm
self. and didn't know who had.
He'd left it out in the barn SO 1t
would be handy and near the
chicken coops."
"And you think that sounds
like a good alibi?" asked Hannah
sarcastically. 49,
mo-" he answered. 81 don't;
But it's the truth, Just the same"
"Do you know where Eb Spratt
VENT" Hannah watched him
closely as she asked the question;
81 only wish | did. I've secured
the village and asked everybody
who might have met up with him.
If | knew where Eb was, I'd know
a lot of other things, too"
"Why don't you ask his sister,"
"Do you think she'd tell-if she
knows?" he countered.
"No," Hannah was forced to
admit. "But | notice she amt eX-
actly worrying herself to death
over his absence. She told Claire
this afternoon he probably had
gone off down to the city for
something"
"And left a bloody cap behind
lust as playful little trick, L
suppose. Eb wasn't the joking
kind"
"I'll say he wasn't" agreed
Hannah. "That man never even
smiled unless it was surprised out
of him."
This apt description of the sour
faced Eb brought smile to Dams
Inns. "Well, nobody can say his
sister doesn't appreciate TINS
world" he remarked dryly. ,
"You ought to know" snapped
Hannah. -, :,
Dallas let that go by without
changing expression, only shrug-
ged his shoulders slightly. After
waiting a minute for him to speak
Hannah backed toward the door,
evidently satisfied that she could
get nothing further from him.
He watched her with grin.
"Goodby," he said. Come again.
Maybe next time we'll both Know
more than we do now"
For answer Hannah slammed
the door behind her and walked
away, feeling a little ridiculous.
"Hc bested me, after ALL" she
grumbled aloud. 81 don't know
any more than when | started"
As she hurried up the path to
the house, Nick Baum came sud
denly around the curve of the
road. At sight of her he stopped
! in establishment, then quickly
| came forward.
"Why, | wasn't expecting to see
YOU, Hannah He smiled. Is
is Claire still here, by any good
chance?"
eyes, she is, Mr.. Baum" Han
nah replied. "And she'll be right
glad to see you. Won't you come
in?"
She led the way to the front
door, and motioned him in hos
pitable. Just then Susie came into
the hall. She gave slight start
of surprise at sight of the visitor.
"I'll go tell Miss Fosdick you're
here, Mr.. Baum. Of course you II
be staying for supper" Hannah
said.
Thanks, but I've got to go on
| to the village this evening"" he
answered. Gust thought I'd drop
, in to ask Eb Spratt about man
Pm going there to see on busi-
ness. | know he is acquainted with
all the people around this part OF
the country"
"Nickw exclaimed Claire from
the doorway.
Hannah went upstairs, leaving
the young people alone. Tenderly
Nick Baum took both the girls
hands in his. =,
Haven't you anything to tell
me vet, Claire?" he asked, looking
deep down into her eyes. "lVe
missed YOU so while you've been
hiding from me up here"
(To be continued)