Henderson daily dispatch., 1939-10-04
CHAPTER TEN

WHEN 1 TOLD Coral she was
"afraid of Tinker" and you can't
fool dogs" it wasn't all a dirty
crack. I expressed my sincere opin-
ion Rhoda gave me another dig
in the ribs I didn't know whether
it was intended for applause or
condemnation. Josie made again
that strangled sound which |
thought an added gibe at Coral.
She heard it, too, for her camellia-
like skin turned an ugly BRICK red.
Perhaps 1 had jeopardized my
budding friendship with Neal by
what I said to her, but 1 couldn't
help it. Her ostentatious assump-
ton of absolute authority over
Neal and Tinker burned me up,
though why it should DO so /
couldn't explain.
Now she f1ounced angrily around
in her seat until she was facing
Neal, who through the alteration
was looking straight ahead. She
opened her lips, but before she
could speak he gave her a look
which effectually sealed them
again. In & stern voice which ad-
mitted no comeback, he said:
"Sally is absolutely right, Coral.
Tinker is not dangerous in any
way. He is a watchdog, and as such
should be regarded. He has made
friends with Sally, and shall not
prohibit her from handling him as
she pleases."
It was bitter pill for her to
swallow, but she yielded with a
pretty display of Difference. Does
that girl know her vegetables!
"Of course, Neal, dear" cher
voice was as gooey as UNDERGONE
fudge) "vou know best. was just
afraid something would happen to
Miss Gordon"
Neal flashed her a smile-admi-
ration for her tender thought for
another was the way 1 read it
and I was so mad I nearly popped.
She didn't care what happened
to me, and I knew it. But she was
clever enough to twist what was
said to strengthen her hold upon
Neal. Probably, when he calmly re-
viewed the conversation, he would
put me down as an unmannerly
brat and her as the perfect lady.
There wasn't another word spok-
en- by anyone until we reached the
beach.
Neal parked the car a short dis
lance above the beach. We sprang
out and ran down to the waters
edge. There were three RATS, two
with diving platforms, anchored at
increasing distances from the
shore.
The farthest one out wouldn't be
too far for me, I exulted. SWIM
ming is the one sport at which 1
excel. was willing to bet that Coral
Easton would be a beach lounger.
Perhaps I would have a chance to
talk to Neal on the raft.
Neal, arms piled high with rug,
pillows anc magazines, toiled from
the car over the soft sand. Coral,
CALAMITY assisted by Joseph Barry,
minced along at his side.
1 swan out to the first raft,
hooked my arm through the safety
loop and deliberately watched
them. The two men chose a place
and carefully spread the rug. Coral
dropped the pillows exactly to her
liking, tossed off her cape and
gracefully stretched out there. She
patted the ground beside her very
invitingly. Barry jumped to a seat
next her as obediently as a poodle
springs through a hoop, but Neal
Is no beach lizard. He shook his
head. ran down the beach and, ig-
noring her cries of: meal, Neal, |
come back here!" plunged into the
water.
At his first step away from her,
l dropped the loop and started
slowly for the second raft. Rhoda,
Josie. Orion and Duncan had al |
ready reached it and were shout