The Coolidge examiner., 1937-06-17
CHAPTER XIII


bulbs as Jim walked down stairs.
Are you feeling better?" Mrs.
Macpherson asked, directing an
anxious glance at Jim.
Much better" Jim said cheer
fully. He glanced at the clock.
Ten o'clock! Good heavens! Have
I slept since yesterday afternoon?"
'You needed Sleep" MACPHERSON
said. II drove over to the riding
place about half past eight. Every
thing seems to be going we'll"
THANK you," Jim said.
"I'n get you some breakfast"
Mrs. Macpherson hustled off to-
ward the kitchen. 1T won't take
a minute"
Jim turned to Macpherson.
"Have you heard from the hos
pital?" he asked.
II called half an hour ago." Mac
Pherson replied. The girls con-
dition is more hopeful She was
conscious for a short time this
morning."
did she TALK" Jim asked eager
ly. Did she speak of the acci-
dent?"
II don't know. They don't tell
you much-over the telephone, at
least"
would they let me see her?"
NO." Macpherson replied. II
asked the question. They aren't
letting anyone see her-not even
her family. There's nothing to do
but wait, lad, as patiently as you
can"
II know" Jim paced restlessly
back and forth across the floor.
Patience isn't my long suit. It's
vital, of course, that Dolly shall not
be annoyed"
Macpherson nodded. Miss Kath-
crime called last night" he said.
Kay called? How did she know"
There was fairly full account
of the accident in the papers last
evening. Do you want to see them?"
mot now. I suppose they put
the hooks into me?"
Macpherson nodded, his face
troubled and kindly.
"It is alleged The testimony
of witnesses point to the conclu-
sion" he broke off abruptly. WAS
Kay awfully upset?"
considerably. She said one of the
babies wasn't we'll but she'd come
anyway, if you wanted her. 1 told
her to wait for day or two. Mister
Victor asked me if money or law
yer was needed. He said to do
anything we thought should be done
and he would be responsible for the
expense"
STOUT fella, Vic!" Jim said, with
feeling. Il hope we won't need to
accept his offer. Vic has done
enough for me-" He glanced at the
clock again. Has Mr.. Vaughn ar
rived?"
mot yet. He should De here in
an hour or So"
breakfast is ready, jamie"
Mrs. Macpherson called.
She had set table on the veran-
da. The weather was pleasant,
clear and crisp, warmed by the
mellow sunshine of late September.
Jim ate the abundant breakfast with
relish. The MacPhersons sat near
him, watching him as he ate, sur
rounding him with a kindly protect.
ing atmosphere of loyalty and af-
fection.
"You knew the girl rather we'll,
didn't your" Mrs. MACPHERSON
asked.
Dolly? Yes" Jim replied sober
ly. Il took her out to dance or to
ride several times this summer"
II can't understand it," Mrs.
Macpherson worried. After see-
ing her parents, I can't understand
how you could have been interested
in the girl
"Her parents?" Jim asked quick
ly. Have they been here?"
"Now Bessie" Macpherson said
warningly.
Mrs. Macpherson bristled at her
husband, projecting invisible quills
like a porcupine whose young was
in imminent danger. "Oh, go on,
Andy." she said, evaporation IN
her voice. Jamie will have to
know some time. He might as we'll
hear it from u.s." She turned to
Jim, her eyes swapping, her fresh
color higher than usual. "The girls
father and mother came out last
night, locking for you. He's a
scrawny little man with long Wrin-
kled red neck. Reminded me of
turkey-gobbler, especially when he
began to make a noise. The mother
looks like a pink silk sofa cushion
that needs to be laundered. Fat and
soft and dingy and covered with
powder"
shes Dolly's step-mother, Jim
said. What did they want?"
''They talked about horse-whip-
ping and hanging" Mrs. MacPher-
son continued Indignantly. "At least
the father did. She just whimpered
and daubed at her eyes and shifted
bottle of smelling salts. I opened