The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-08-30
CHAPTER II


 The night was pitch black = a night such as the Blue Grass knows in summer, before a gath ering storm; intense blackness, then sheet lightning flaring across the sky, followed by the rumble of far-off thunder.
 Linda Gordon turned off the main highway, in the secondhand car she had bought to carry her home. She was taking a short cut, which would carry her past the Radford Farm. It'll just be our luck, Jerry" she said to the Scottie by her side, ito mee tBruce Radford tonight. Now here's the sharp turn, before we come to the creek"
 She broke off as her car gave a quick lurch. "Oh, darn!" She was skidding on newly laid gravel, the car was swerving around-it came to a sudden stop against a tree looming in the headlights glare. The impact threw her across the wheel.
 Darn - darn!" she exclaimed, strengthening up. Her head had struck the windshield's top. Jerry thrown to the floor, gave yelp of pain. "Oh, hush! Can't you take it?" The Scottie gave one last whimper, then followed her when she stepped to the ground.
 Bent fender. Lucky to get off 50 lightly" she commented, after making a hurried inspection with her flashlight. She had some old sacking in the trunk; this she laid under her front wheels. Got back in. Started the motor. Yes, the wheels gained traction on those sacks. Slowly, carefully, she backed to the side of the road again. Then she saw, circled by her headlight, a sign glaring on the tree. It read: /
 PUBLIC AUCTION
 Phoenix Trust Co.
 Sells to Highest Bidder
 five 2-year odds from the
 Eadford Farm. to close estate
 Ge late Wm. Radford
 Sale cried at Browns Barn
 6Au6. clj dV .oO r. 1b' oAANA F.
 Rain or Shine!
 
 That was tomorrow. She-Jerry's s sharp barking caused her to turn, peer back into the blackness. Now the dog was leaping through the opened doorway, was barking sharp Warn- ing.
 "Jerry! Who's coming?" she called. A stocky figure loomed out of the dark, Jerry barking at his heels. The person called: "In any trou- ble?"
 At that instant a sheet of light ming flared in the heavens; Linda caught glimpse of Bruce Radford coming up. Then darkness again. why, Linda Gordon! Say, this IS great!"
 If9 was at the car door. 1T was coming down to see if the rain had washed away the creeks bridge, and I find you."
 The girl felt herself stiffen. But she tried to hide her feelings. She said casually, "Oh, hello, Bruce" "Heh! Won't you shake with a felloW?"
 She gave him her hand an in- stant, then withdrew it.
 What are you doing here? l mean, having car trouble?"
 When you lay gravel, you might have it packed down." she spoke testify. q skidded-could have brok- en my neck"
 Tn give the road crew hades tomorrow. But look here"
 You are quite the country squire. aren't you, Bruce?"
 Me? Oh, I'm just sort of look ing after things-someone's got to take the responsibility. But tell me about yourself; guess you are down on a surprise vacation. Saw MT. Sandy yesterday; he didn't mem ton"
 "Yes, a surprise visit" she agreed hastily.
 Then look here, Linda, I want to see lot of you. T."
 That's all in the past, Bruce" Tn the past? You didn't an- swer my last letter-after I came back here"
 "Oh, you were a millionaire, and jusa working girl, my lad" She tried to make her voice sound whimsical.
 Not so rich as you'd think. Uncle left lot of fool bequests; they got the cash, got what was left over. Tomorrow we're selling off the last 2-year-olds. I'm going to bid one in-got enough money for that. T."