Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1939-10-21
49, rHtA ,.,WENTY SIX

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far il establishment. I,ast; night It
49, calm though sad and worn.
What could have happened at this
Aarlv h pur to put him into such a
rage? / glanced back at the bed.
Josie was still asleep. Silently I
slipped into my clothes and went
quietly down the stairs.
T'ne shades We're raised in the
lounge, the ashes removed from the
fireplace ard d new fire laid ready
fog lighting. 7 knew Chloe's deft
hand must be already at work.
IL the kitchen she greeted me
: -th q smiling Good morning."
though [ could see q sorrowful
LIGHT il the depth Of her lnpid
brown eyes. L had intended going
out 10 Tinker'S run, but if I were
to attempt TO take Mrs. Peake's
place for even a few days, I must
attend to business.
/ made . a quick decision. It
wasn't any use my trying TO bluff
Chloe into believing I knew any
thing about running an inn. I didn't
and she knew it, or if she didn't
know it now, she would the first
time + gave an order and-it the
wrong one.
Perhaps il i took her into my
confidence we could work together
until Josie was able to take the
reins. I knew Chloe was loyal and
trustworthy. The way she acted
last night proved that. = dropped
down on a chair beside the table
where she was working and began:
"Chloe, don't know one thing
about running this house, but Miss
Josie's asked me to help out and
I'm going to do it. If you'll help
me, tell me the things I should do
and how to do them if I don't know
how, it'll mean extra money in
your pocket when I'm DONE" I
looked meaningly at her as
spoke.
A faint smile crinkled the warm
brown flesh around her eyes. She
stopped her rhythmic beating of
batter in the big blue bowl, laid
her shapely hands, palm down, on
the table, and leaned toward me.
An amused note sounded in her
rich mellow voice.
"Yo' don't have to tell me that.
I knows it without tellin'. How
should a city lady like yo' know
lanythin' bout runnin' a place like
this? It amt hard. I could do it.
I've run things fo' Miss Peake TO-
days at time when she had to be
away. I could do it now. But it's
better if there's a white hand on
the rudder. Everybody knows that.
I'll tell yo' the things to do today
an tomorrow yo'll know fo' yo'self.
AS fo' extra pay" She held her
self a trifie straighter, a note of
dignity came into her voice. "Im a
pore woman, Miss Gordon. If I
wasn't, I'd be home with my chill
dren right now. If what I do is
worth a little mo- an you see fit to
give it to me, I'll be grateful.
But" Her voice rang with flute
like note-"yo' don't have to PAY
me TO- helpin' out in time O. trou-
ble."
reached out and took one Of her
strong capable hands in a tight
clasp. You,re q peach, Chloe" I
Said wasn't one. bit asharned that
d husky note came into my voice.
Clloe's simple self-respecting 10y
altY would be o lesson to anyone.
fWe'l1S get along fine together.
What did Mrs: Peake do at this
ilonr,?" 2
4 Chloe laughed, a low gurgle of
pure enjoyment. 1.-THE first thin she
did every mornin' was to go out an
get a breath of air. An I 'spect
lfhat's the best thin for yo' to do,
too"
'sThen I will, Chloe, and when I
come back we'll put our heads to-
gethef."
after breakfas', Miss Gordon.
Mis- Peake always said she could
do anythin' if she started her day
with a breath of air an a good
breakfas'. It'll be ready when yo'
come back"
went out the kitchen door and
looked over at Tinker's run. I had
been so long with Chloe expected
to find Neal gone. But he was still
walking around, closely scrutiniz-
ing the grounds
"Good morning, Neal" At my
voice Tinker came 70 the wire and
thrust his nose, with g. throaty
whine, against the meshes. I rubbed
his velvety muzzle with gentle fin
gers. I like Tinker, but right then
my attention was more for his
master.
Meals reply TO my Sanitation
was cordial one and, after ar
other keen glance around, h. came