The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1936-03-26

snow, how can you think would
do that?" she laughed. "Don't you
know ! am a New Yorker, born and
bred? Do you think I'd change my
home town."
Richmond isn't home. I under
stand you're going to live there, in
the old Maiden house"
ooh, no, we're not going to do
that" she cried, and then, fearing
she was saying too much, added, Eat
least not at present"
why don't you," he followed up,
t'unless that is, you can't stand the
old LADY,"
f'If you refer to my husbands
mother, please do not speak of her
in that way. I have never met Mrs.
Maiden, but I already love her and
deeply respect her."
i'Oh, you do! Well, you'll get over
that"
Perilla looked around the room,
and saw Corey. There is my hus-
band. Will you be good enough to
take me to him?"
81 will not" said the daring young
man. "Come on, this is our dance"
"You are mistaken" said Perilla,
gaily, for she saw her host approach
ing. ooh, Mr.. Carleton, won't you
take me to Corey, please! I've had
an awfully strenuous day, and we
have long ride for tomorrow"
Dick Careton caught the serious
note in her voice, and obeyed her at
once.
I'm very tired" she said, reach
ing Maiden, may I go home now?"
eyes, DEAR" he said gently. ''Let
us slip away, Dick, my girl is really
OVERRIDING this society racket"
"Of course, then. I'll send my wife
to you"
ooh don't trouble her." said Per-
lila, "she is busy with her guests.
When we come back from Richmond
I'll call, if I may"
And that's how it came about that
Corey Maiden and his wife went
home early from the Carleton dinner
dance.
Once in their car, she told Corey
of the disrespectful way in which
the horrid man had spoken to her
of his mother.
To her surprise, he looked grave
and said, 81 want to tell you about
her myself, I've been putting it off
from sheer cowardice."
Perilla stared, but then they
reached the hotel. In their living
room, he drew her down beside him
on an old tete-a-tete love seat, and
took her in his arms.
Darling he said, in panied
voice, you won't like mother"
''Not like your mother! Indeed I
shall! Why not?"
"She isn't lovable. I don't want to
tell you this, but I have to. I wish
had told you sooner"
"Stop it, Corey, whatever it is! I
don't care what your mother is, to
me she will always be the dearest
woman on earth-with my own
mother"
Corey rose, then he drew her up
beside him. Without word, he put
his arms around her, yet, even as he
did so, she felt him slip, droop, and
his body, relaxing, fell to the floor.
"Corey, darling, what is it?" she
cried.
She leaned down, bent over him,
but he gave no sound, no glance, and
more by, intuition than reason,
Perilla whispered to herself, "He is
dead!'
Brave little Perilla, always happy
and courageous in the presence of
those she loved, was frightened now.
For the first time in her sheltered
young life she knew the meaning OF
stark, staring fear.
Corey dead! Corey, her darling
No, it couldn't be! Her thoughts ran
wildly-how could he die, with
nothing to kill him? Why would he
die when he loved her SO?
Yet, down deep below her fool
ish, if logical, questions she knew he
was dead, knew he would never
again speak to her, never again call
her tender, loving names, never
again VOW his love.
What she had to do was clear to
her. First of all, she must call Sarah,