The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1940-09-26

y
talking about now"
"Your mother"
Bringing Mrs. Castles name
into this discussion with Jeff hao
been even more difficult than
Audrey Swan anticipated. II
shouldn't have been necessary tC
tell Jeff that she hadn't been in
his home for several years, MOI
that the lady from the big house
on the hill had seldom it conven-
lent to recognize her young
neighbor. At least Audrey
thought so. But it wouldn't be
very sporting to tell him about it.
Instead, she waited, she waited a
little tensely for the outburst she
expected her remark to produce.
To her surprise, what she
received was a mild: 81 don't be-
Iieve my trip abroad did you
much good. Cygie. I've invited
you to parties at my house be-
fore. This is my party and I'm
asking you to be my guest. If
you don't want to come or think
you wouldn't have good time
-"
-"Oh, jeff! Please ;" Audrey
caught his sleeve in quick lit
tie gesture of contrition. "You
know I didn't mean that! I'd love
TO come, of course. But don't you
'ssee?"
Naturally not"
But things are different now.
They can't help being. It's beast
" of me, I know, but you just
didn't tell me your mother :"
Invited Olive" Jeff broke in
sharply. Sure she did. That's diff
ferent. Mother never has met her
and she's known you for years"
The past had been so def
nfeay like old times that Audrey
shad very nearly forgotten her re-
solve to establish new and re-
served footing for this companion
who tucked her arm in his as
they mounted the porch steps Of
the Swan home. It was a fam
liar part of their coming home
ritual. The same as Jeff's releas-
ing her at the door with care
2Iess, $50 long" or BE seeing
you"
Tonight, he dropped her arm
but waited long enough for a
quiet reminder. Your chair will
ase at the table Friday night. In
case it rains, I'll send the car. If
you let me down, I'll know ;"
4 won't, jeff"
At the breakfast table her ia
theirs morning, Audrey" was Of
fered without an upward glance.
Anthony Swan was as English
as Westminster, to use a freq
uent expression of his daughter.
A slight man with a fresh COM
plexion and keen blue eyes. His
curling hair was touched with
gray and receded a trifle at the
temples, dropping on his cheeks
in closely cropped sideburns.
There was something in his gen.
~eral trimness that suggested hor-
'Ses.
The Swan acreage constituted a
miniature stock farm with its
well-painted stables and sheds,
trim white fences everywhere, a
half-mile exercise track. Anthony
had come to the States as a rae
ing trainer of some reputation,
hut had left the tracks a dozen
wears before to establish bust
mess of his own. He bred a limit
ed number of fine saddle animals,
bought and sold others, stabbed
and trained horses for patrons as
wen as being riding master
whose services were much in de-
-mand. Martha, his wife, was a
New Eng1ander A mild-manner-
ed but efficient little person and
much the better manager of the
two.
Your mother says Mr.. Jeffrey
is home" Anthony offered. How
is the lad?"
Looks very fit
He must have been across close
TO year." Anthony went on, Par
vile will seem small to him, I
wouldn't doubt"
Audrey inserted a slice OF
Eorezd in the toaster and closed it
with an unnecessary clash.
DO you want some work this
rnorning?" Anthony asked. zone
OF the Judges stablemen came
over last night with the brown
Enare we sold Mr.. Jeffrey the last