The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-07-29
CHAPTER XII

only the spot Of yellow IRON
Jameson's flaShlight, Helena:
head began to whirl. 1t was with
an effort that she managed to fol
low him to the elevator. Inside
the cage they brushed together
for an instant, and he caught bel
arm. II l thought you were
falling" he said uncertainty
and then Helena found herself
held firmly against him, heard
him whispering, Il love you .
I've loved you since that first day
in the store" -,
please =" Helena struggled,
feeling her face hot with swift
anger.
~ had to tell YOU" Jameson
rushed on plaintively. Il didn't
mean to tell you tonight-but you
were so close, L"
With an effort that was beyond
her own strength, Helena showed
herself free and staggered back
against the wall of the elevator
cage. The flashight clattered to
the floor and she retrieved 1t
quickly, sent its beam full into
Iameson's pale, twisted features.
eff you come near me again,
Helena told him evenly, I'll use
this as a club.'
The threat was unnecessary.
WordleSS, Jameson stepped to the
control lever and started the cage
downward. He did not speak
again until they were outside the
warehouse. His voice was shaken
and pitiful. Il suppose it's too
much to ask you to forgive me!
Suppose we pretend that It
never happened" Helena said:
"Td rather go on home alone, II
YOU don't mind. And-and | APP
preciate what you've shown me.
She hurried on through the
darkness as if pursued by some
frightful apparition she dare not
turn and face. 1t was an apparl-
ton made up of many facts. Inc
fawning Jameson, so lacking IN
control that she felt somehow
ashamed for him. The cold de-
ceitful. malicious Leah Frazier.
And Roger Barnes, pretending to
be an ally. Even-yes, even Jonn
Lassiter. John Lassiter who would
have friendship only until 1t be-
gan to pinch.
'I've got to leave she tolo
herself over and over as she
rushed on in the darkness. I've
got to get out
As publisher of the towns two
newspapers for all of 80 years,
Ben Morris had seen a varied lot
of people walk in and out of ms
office. But never in all those 81
wears had he seen a more deter
mined one than Helena. Her usu-
al attractiveness married by a
sleepless and restless night, she
sat across from the publisher
desk, relieved to find that there
was much she did not have to tell
him. Ben Morris had watched the
town too long to have missed
what was going on the past lie"
weeks.
"But are you quite sure you
want to do this?" he asked again
"How do you know you won't re.
yrat II afterwards? And in all
fairness, you deserve something
in return for your services at
Henderson's." ~
Helena shook her head. "This
isn't a sudden thing, Mr.. Morris.
My minds made up"
"Let me get this straight" Nor
ris said gently. "You say you are
going to ask Courtney to draw up
papers which will make Hender-
sons an employees stock COM
pany. The salary you have COM
ing you wish given to some wor-
thy town charity. The Henderson
house you intend to have sold,
snd the proceeds turned over to
the same charity. Is that correct%'
Helena nodded slowly. "I'm
leaving town tonight. Mr.. Court
ney can draw up the necessary
papers and send them to me. I'm
asking him to be one of the of
ficers of the new company. I'd
like to have you as one, Mr.,
Morris"
"But Why"
GAS a newspaper publisher
you're interested in the town as
a whole. You'll want to see the
store-the biggest establishment
here-be a success"
81 couldn't very we'll accept,
Morris told her. "But I'll make