The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-11-06

the flames nearest him. Thei
they both saw a startling thing
The curtains at one Of the WIN
dows were afire.
The man rushed at them, JerHe'
them from the pole and tossed
them through the window.
You've thrown them On th'
porch roofw Kate said IN a voice
that she did not recognize as mel
own. She was not herself. just a:
those engaged in war are no.
themselves She was thinking
wildly, .Iet it burn! I'd rather see
it burn to the ground thah os
'Howard's Place
Jeff, looking from the WINDOW
saw that what she said was true;
The roof of the side porch had
caught the blazing curtains. IneS
rested in the gutter, surrounded
bv leaves and twigs that were only
a little dryer than the old shingles
themselves.
"I'lI have to go down" ne cried
He looked at her commanalngiy;:
"Do what YOU can till | get back
He was gone. three steps OF the
stairs at a time. Kate moved out
into the hall. She felt curiousiy
detached and exalted. Yes, Need
Meadows was burning! She saw
the small flames creep fartner'
She noticed that a breeze was IAN
ming them. Another curtain was
She came to herself then and
dashed into the room. She tore
the curtain down and tossed pole
and all through the window -
threw them far and clear. Then
She began to stamp the flaming
pnpers in a sort of frenzled dance,
and when this did not suffice, she
bent and beat them with the only
thing available, the heavy silKen
garment in her hands.
When Jeff Howard returned
with rugs and a bucket OF water
ne found the fire eXtinguisned.
He went to the head OF the steps
and ordered back a man VINO was
following him TO give AID. ..r
Returning to the smoke-fliiea
room, he saw Kate Need leaning
against the chimney, coughing.
Her hair was diSarranged, her face
was smudged almost beyond rec
o0nition. She said accusingiy,
"You were a long time coming.
She was trembling. Not because
she was tired and choking and
burned about the hands, but FOR
very horror of the thing she had
almost done, the creature she had
almost been. AN
"I got here as soon as | could"
he replied shortly. "The cooks
away. l had to call one OF the
men from the barn. And first we
had to get a ladder against the
porch" o-,
He did not say to her, THANK
you for helping me save my
house." She did rot say to him,
'Pm sorry set your house attire"
It was another impasse Of stub
born will with stubborn will,
blocking the road to understand
ing. She turned and went from
the room and down the stairs, and
no further word was spoken be-
tween them.
When Kate reached her room
Mt home she found Caroline there.
She said to her astonished sister,
"Help me pull off my boots,
please. My hands are burned. l
went to Need Meadows attic to
get something / left in a trunk
there. / lit a candle and acct
dentally started a fire, but l put
it out"
Caroline cried out sympathetic
cally, "Such awful things happen
to YOU, Kate You poor dear
What's that" she asked, looking
at some scorched silken shreds
that hung over Hates arm.
"The dress" Kate answered
grimly. "Your 1850 ball gown.
Sweet, isn't it,"
"Ohp Caroline walled. cts
ruined, My lovely costume
81 had to use it for a fail,
Kate explained. There was
nothing else to beat the fire with.
Well, it was Gods will. as Dumas
would say"
1T was your own criminal care
lessness," Caroline disagreed, a
sob in her voice. "Why didn't you
ask Mr.. Howard to have the trunk
carried down for you? He would
have"
az doubt that. The whole ex-
petition was secret. went up To
the attic without even consulting
left Howard"
"You didn't. Oh, Kate. no"
horrid of you"
"How silly of me, you mean
He always wins. I've been routeC
twice now without getting what
NJ