The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1940-04-25
CHAPTER III
WNIJ Service

Rene BOucnler drove MS nlVVer on
in silence. After another ten min
utes Rene turned off the main high
way north, drove down dirt road.
at park off the highways. Can't
afford camps. Hope you don't mind
kerosene lamps. I don't dare run
my batteries down any more" he
explained. Another 200 feet and
Rene's yellow trailer doomed bright
in their headlights.
Here we are. You don't mind
roughing it a bit?"
I'm so grateful" Lynn began.
"Cut it," He unlocked the door of
| the little house on wheels. Come on
IN and III show you how the hunks
work"
Lynn did not explain she was well
aware of trailer living. The house
was hidden among the palm trees,
a pleasant spot. 1t was lonely here,
but somehow Lynn was not afraid.
After all she had been through moth
ing now seemed terrifying.
Rene went into the trailer first.
''Wait until I find the light" he
called to her, leaving her standing
on the step in the moonlight. He
furnbled about for a while and Lynn
could hear him strike a match. A
slckly flame burned.
Come on in, it's a bit of a mess.
I'm not much good at this sort of
thing, I guess"
Lynn stepped up into the door
way. Inside the oil lantern dinly
Lit the interior. It was decidedly a
mess as he said. Paints, brushes,
canvases, dirty dishes, leftover food
cluttered the place. Lynn thought
of Mrs. Warren's immaculate roll
ing house and shuddered inwardly.
At least she could clean the place
up for him.
Lynn suddenly realized she was
completely exhausted She made up
the bed, slipped out of her dress and
finally found the promised pajamas.
She gave up about the toothbrush.
In five minutes she had crawled into
her bunk, another five she was in a
deep sleep.
It was seven hours later when
Lynn opened her eyes. The bright
sunlight blinded her and the motion
of the trailer rocked her comforta-
bly,. She pressed her face against
the screened window above her
head. The trailer was moving brisk
ly through the Florida landscape.
Boucher had started north in the
night, while she slept.
She jumped out of bed and dressed
hurriedly. She was very hungry and
wondered what time it was. Rene's
only clock had stopped, of course.
If she was ever to get breakfast
she must clear things up a little.
Accustomed to working in a moving
trailer, Lynn set about her task.
She struggled with the stove, put
some water on for coffee. There
was neat little gadget to hold the
tea kettle in place.
Briskly she made up her bed, be-
gan piling up canvases. In half an
hour, she had the little trailer look
ing fairly tidy. 81 can't scrub with
the thing moving" she decided.
Lynn hunted about for some
means of signaling to the driver.
Mrs. Warren had such a contrap-
ton, and at last she found Rene's.
A wire came through from the front
She pulled on it vigorously.
The trailer began to slow down.
Rene pulled over to the side of the
road.
Rene got out stiff1y, and came
around to the door. GOOD morn
ing" he called.
Breakfast is almost ready" she
replied as she put some eggs on to
boil.
Rene came into the trailer.
"Whewi You have been working!
The place looks SWELL" He grinned.
Lynn had set the little table, the
coffee was sending out a delectable
odor. At that moment, Lynn was
squeezing oranges, and her blond
hair curled about her warm flushed
face.
''This is going to be great" He
paused. 81 hope you're not mad
because I started last night. I got
cold feet. Thought that guy might
come back"
Lynn nodded. 'sWhere are WEI"
"I've done all right. We're about
thirty miles south of st. Augustine.
Nice going" He was scrubbing his
face at the sink.
"You must be very tired" Lynn
said contritely.
ST won't miss one nights sleep.
Can you driver"
Indeed I can"
maybe can teach you to run
this thing; then Wen get to New
York quicker"
They sat down to breakfast, the
strange young painter and the girl,
and as they drank their orange juice
Rene laughed:
'I don't mind telling you I'm glad
to have somebody alo.s. There vas
a guy came down with me and he
did the cooking. But he met a girl
in Florida and got married and
sailed off and left me-" Lynn smiled
at him over her coffee cup.
eff you'll consider that I'm earn
ing my way, I'm crew. III really
try to help"
.fYou have already, and you'll
really work unless you eat hot dogs
all the way to Manhattan"
It was a gay meal, and Lynn was
happier than she had been for
months. The weather was gorgeous,
hot sun, white sands, bright palms.
ITO BE CONTINUED