The Coolidge examiner., 1938-01-06
CHAPTER VU-COntinued

Ne asked II there wasn't PUBLIC
telephone office or pay station there.
ae suggested drug store. but there
was no regular drug store. Finally
II was disclosed that there was a
telephone located in the postmis-
tEess' home, and Greg asked them
- give it to him.
There was a moments delay and
then a big loquaciouS interested
voice twanged vivaciously over the
wire.
''Hellol"
us this the postmistreSs at Crys
tai Lake?" asked Greg. hoping his
voice did not sound too anxious.
NO, this is her Aunt Carrie Petit
bone My niece. Lyddy Rice. is post
mistress. I'm just visiting her. /
live over the other side of the noun
tAins."
May 1 speak with Miss Rice?"
asked Greg.
Why, she isn't here"
When will she be back?"
We'll. ! can't exactly say. Was
Stere anything 1 could do Tor you?"
Why. I'm not sure. if you're a
stranger there"
''Oh, i amt a stranger. know
everybody in this county"
Well, then. l wonder if you know
Gr. and Mrs. Lorimer?"
Il should say l dol" triumphed
the voice. MY mother and her
mother used to go to school togeth-
er. Their house was built over 100
years ago. She inherited 1t from
her folks, Rebecca Lorimer did, and
that makes il all the harder for her
now ia lose it You knew they was
going ia lose it. didn't your"
rs that so?" said Greg patient
".
''Yes. / guess there's no doubt
about it, Elias Horner himself is
giving out that he's give the Lori
mers notice they got to pay the
whole mortgage this time. It comes
due four days after Thanksgiving.
and he wants his money. Only S3,-
900 on so acres of land and that nice
old house she was born in!"
Greg wrote quickly, ELIAS Hor-
ner." Three thousand" -Four
days after Thanks giving" and
trowned heavily into the telephone.
He was getting more information
man he had bargained for. 1t made
It all the palmer that Margaret
needed him.
Are you there?" challenged the
garrulous voice.
Yes, I'm here" said Greg.
What was it you wanted to know
about the Lorimers?"
We'll. l wonder if you could tell
me-" said Greg hopefully, "of some
one who lives quite near them who
would be likely to be willing to send
for them to come to the telephone?
You're not near enough, are you?
I have an important message for
them"
Mercy no." said Aunt Carrie
Pettibone. Its five miles if it's a
foot, up the mountains from here.
And the onliest neighbor they got at
all is Sam Fletcher and he amt
got phone. But you said an i'm
portant message. 1t amt any bad
news, is it? Cause l know they're
terrible worried they amt been
hearing from her so often. They're
afraid she's sick. They amt had a
letter at all except the telegram
that come. You see. it came through
the telephone and happened to an
Swer the phone. l mostly do when
I'm here. 1t saves my niece a lotta
trouble. You amt got bad news for
EN- about Margaret, have you?"
"Oh. no." said Greg. 81 merely
wanted to inquire her present ad-
dress. You see, she asked me a
few days ago about a position, and
I promised to get one for her, but
failed to get her address.
Il don't suppose there's any
chance you would know whether
Miss McLaren may be coming home
for Thanksgiving" he hazarded
suddenly.
She couldn't" said the garru,ous
voice decidedly. ''She wouldn't have
the money to come. And you'd
know by the size Of the money or
ders she sends home. Sometimes
only 81 or So. Oh, I'm not supposed
20 know. Of course, but I find outi"
L see Well, thank you," said
Greg. Il guess I'll just have to
depend on writing. Sorry to have
troubled you
Now. amt that a pity!" began
Aunt Carrie Pettibone. and then
stopped disappointedly and gazed
into the receiver.
He hung upl" sac said aloud to
the postoffice cat.
Miles away. at the other end Of
the telephone wire, Greg sat staring
al the little tablet he held in his
hand But at least he had learned
n0Sa thing Mar0arat had not vet