The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1940-02-15

| juicy CdI11S SINAAANAAAA5 N0'
slope with uncertain legs.
''Why Honey, you here?"
ooh, Joey, can they stop it?
How did it happen?"
Chem boys? Shore they can
stop it. Why, Lee fit it all alone
for two hours, before me an Cur
ley an Darrell got here"
''But how did it happen?" she
persisted. "Does Lee know"
Joey shook a dubious head.
Kinda looks like it was set, Ho-
ney. I got an idee he suspicious
more'n he lets on, but they amt
no proof
Minutes dragged by as they
watched anxiously. Virginia be-
gan hunting for weapon of her
own.
wait, Honey!"
Joey grasped her arm, pulling
her back. Ravels of smoke trailed
chokingly against her face, wav-
cred, thinned and came on again.
ooh, Joey, it's wind!"
A triumphant yell came from the
fire line beyond, and her own
voice joined excitedly in Joey's
thin cheer. The wind had turned.
Men Strengthened tired bodies and
mopped sweat-streaked faces,
grinning in sudden cheerfulness.
They moved here and there,
stamping out danger spots. Pres
emily the volunteers returned and
piled themselves and their imple-
ments into the elastic Ford, shy
of thanks and declining Virginia's
invitation for everyone to break
fast at the Circle V.
It was only part of a days
work.
Dawn streaks were showing,
faint pastel shades, deepening in
to opalescent light, and Lee was
coming toward her. A streaked
and ragged tramp of a man, but
somehow marked with authority,
and carrying heroism and dis
grace with equal lightness.
mo cause for alarm now" he
said cheerfully. ''How did you
find out about it? Smell smoke, or
did somebody arouse the house,"
II smelled smoke. And then
Stanley :"
She hesitated, pulled between
anger and uncertainty. Where
was Stanley, and why had he
Jagged behind when every man
was needed? She saw the ironic
CLINT in Lees eyes.
Fright here" drawled a care
less voice.
Stanley was coming up back of
her, sauntering along with his US
ual sang froid. His ordinary care
full toilet was somewhat rumpled,
his silk shirt was open at the
throat and was streaked and
smudged, and another black
streak ran across his chin.
ooh Stanley! Where were
your" There was sharp relief in
her voice.
"Over there" He indicated the
direction with a careless move
ment of the head. '"The horse
bolted, or I'd have been here
sooner than I was"
He smiled with engaging
frankness and held up both
hands, grimy with unaccustomed
toll. Virginia, laughing, looked
from Stanley's grimed palms to
Lees The laugh broke off sud-
denly with a sharp intake of
breath.
ooh, Lee, you are hurt! You're
burned!"
Angry red streaks burned dull
ly on the hands Lee had not
troubled to exhibit. She held one,
delicately, for fear her touch
would hurt him, and anxiously
examined the burns.
ooh, just scorch or two. Moth
ing to worry about"
His reassuring smile gave no
hint that tho hl1rnc xxyera cfin DIN O
viciously at that very moment.
There seemed nothing more to be
said. She looked at Lee; at Joey,
having a little srnothered tan
trum of his own. "You've been
splendid-all of you" This time
her quick glance included Stan
ley.
She mounted quickly, with a
last glance at the wide, black
ened area still hot underfoot and
giving off sullen curls of smoke,
and at the two men looking af-
ter her.
Joey waited only until they
were out of hearing.
did you hear that?" he explo-
ded irately. *'Of all the doggone
impotence! Whyn't you say some
thin, Lee HOLSTER, stead Oh STAN
din there trompin on my foot till
you dang near mashed it,"