Evening star., 1936-09-05
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.E&,of)oAN =
3. JOSEPH MccoRD

into the kitchen. Mrs. Kendall was
not there, neither was Joan. Only
Salina.
Hello Mist Cune," she greeted him
in a subdued fashion. rs it anythin
I can get you-all?"
mo =. guess not, thank you.
Didn't see anybody around front E.
thought maybe there was something
I could do"
Nobody but Mist Jere ct any
brekfus reckon you need some
cawfee you own self"
II would like cup, salina. Hadn't
thought of it before"
Then you-all sits down at this
table how erbout cuta pie?
Got some"
That would be wonderful" Deeds
managed a creditable smile. you
don't forget my failings, do you,
Sahna?"
"You-an sure like pie. So that po'
Mist Gene. an now he's gone"
"Yes. Sudden, wasn't it?"
Dunno mabbe not. Theah
was man what was suttingly mahked
for goin' out. If you'd seen him the
way he used to be I knowed him
long time"
What do you mean :. . marked?"
Deeds wanted to know. Salina had
lowered her voice as she proffered
this last information.
Couldn't tell you, Mist Cune.. Show
in his eyes, most. Not like the way
he was las time he come with his po'
ma. No, sah!" The cooks bulky form
swayed nearer as she added: Some
thin like han't botherin' that man
:. an I reckon mabbe I know who
been at bottom all that, too"
Who was it, Salina? Anybody who
lives here?"
"Lissen, Mist Cune. likes you q.
but Salina amt a gettin' herself in
trouble with no person like that one!
No, sab! Don't want them cold eyes
a lookin' at my insides, don't"
You don't believe in that sort of
truck, Salina. 1t was too bad it had
to happen. but it was just an acci-
dent. Nothing else"
"Mebbe," Salina admitted. I'll
give you some mo cawfee. It's another
piece pie left :. :"
mo, thank you. Just a little more
coffee"
AS he sat with his coffee and a
cigarette, Deeds found himself ponder
ing over the colored womans words.
Silly, of course. But they just hap
pened to fit in with all the other un-
usual circumstances. He would very
much like to know whom the cook
had in mind. Her description of the
"cold eyes" would fit but one person
around here. That much was plain
He set down his cup at the sound of
steps in the next room. 1t might be
Joan E. or her mother.
1t proved to be Claire Lindsay
Deeds sprang to his feet.
"Oh :. Claire! I've been wanting
to have word with you but I
hated to barge in on you and Mrs
Lindsay. I wanted to say ="
Il know, Deeds. You don't have
to go through that with me. And
know that you've tried to help =.
in lot of ways. It's good of you"
Her face was pale, but her blue eyes
quiet and fearless. It's the first time
I've ever had to take command like
this. Mother isn't much good &.
but she's doing better than I ex-
pected."
Hard blow. You're doing pretty
fine yourself. I'll bet you haven't
had anything to eat"
Il haven't. I would like a cup of
coffee. May I have one, Salina'
Course. Mis- Claire. Mebbe you
all eat couple aigs?"
Just coffee" Claire's eyes fell upon
the pie tin with its one remaining
"cut." She mustered a slight smile.
still the slave, aren't you?" she asked
Deeds.
Guess always will be. Here
take my chair"
Deeds stood looking down on Claire's
golden head as she soberly stirred the
coffee Salina had poured She was
taking the trouble in a mighty fine
way. Gene was no blood relative. but
the two of them must have been
pretty close. Claire was harder hit
than she was letting on just now.
She would be that way, before strang-
ers. And so would Joan. What would
Claire think if she knew about that
marriage? It would be pretty wonder
full if that thing could merely fade
into the past where it belonged with
out farming any one.
There seemed but one reason why
it couldn't. If there was any uues-
ton, it would be coming to a head
shortly. Deeds was promising him
self that, when Claire looked suddenly
up into his face. Salina had left
the kitchen.
Deeds" the girl began in hurried
tones, II was up to your door a mo-
ment ago. thought maybe you we're
back here, when I didn't see you on
the porch -
rs there something I can do?"
Il don't know . I have a message
for you" Claire glanced around eau
tiously. I'm afraid to give it to you
here . it :. it's from Gene" The
last name was whispered.
What" Deeds stared in amaze
ment. What is 1t where is it?
Hurry! 1t might be -"
I know. Deeds please 60 up
10 your room. And leave the door
unlocked. I'll follow. / must talk |
20 you minute where we won't be
disturbed. There's something wrong |
here -. I'm beginning to be afraid"
What has happened?"
Il went into Genes room to lcok |
Tor something. I know that some-
body was there ahead of me. Every
hing has been gone through"