The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1940-12-12
CHAPTER XII

This brought steady stare from
Jeffrey's brown eyes. Lets get
this straight" he suggested quiet
ly. "Are you telling me that you
came down here to tell Nicholson
you were taking me golfing?"
Eyes, Why?"
"Well, it was kind of you. But
naturally I'm not going. What
would he think of me not to
Don't always be tiresome. It's
mention the other guys here? No,
thanks"
reconsideration for me comes
last all the time now, doesn't it?
You don't worry about what any
body thinks Of me. Are you COM
ing? It's the last time"
"Is the car out front? I'll take
you down."
''Td much rather you didn't"
She hurried out, leaving him
standing where he was.
Jeffrey followed more slowly,
without glancing in the direction
of the stenographer who was star
ing curiously.
Out in the hall he met Michel
son returning. Hope you have a
nice game, Castle. I wouldn't
mind going eighteen holes this af-
ternoon myself"
Funny thing" Jeff returned in
a flat voice. Mrs. Castle got her
dates mixed. Thought this was
Saturday. Good joke, wasn't it?"
With the advent of spring, life
seemed to get back more nearly
into its old cycles for Audrey
Swan. Jim Sweet had taken over
the cultivation of the farm in ca
pable fashion, the coming of mild
weather also brought number Of
riding pupils, and the loose boxes
in the large barn opened their
doors to arriving equine board
ers. Once more there were horses
grazing in the big pasture and
taking their turns at exercising
on the track.
In the house, Martha Swan
went about her usual tasks. There
was the spring house cleaning to
supervise and her flower garden
to be put in order with the aid
of faithful Julia.
Victor Quinn was still a fire.
quent and welcome visitor. Au-
drey turned to him naturally for
advice in every matter that bo-
thered her and he was con-
scious that they were growing
closer as the time passed.
He would have felt highly en-
couraged had he known how
lonely Audrey was on one occa-
s's.. when business took him
away for matter of two weeks.
She was rather startled at the dis
covery, herself, and it was sur
prisingly difficult not to reveal
in an impulsive fashion her pleas
ure at his return.
II believe you're really glad to
see me-" he had teased when
they met.
what makes you think SOP"
she smiled.
"Your nose told me-"
"You mustn't believe in signs"
So matters stood one June
mornig when Audrey was called
to the telephone and heard: eau
drey? This is Mrs. Castle speak
ing. How are you?"
why E. why, I'm quite we'll,
thank you"
"The Judge happened to find
out yesterday that tomorrow is
Mr.. Quinn's birthday. I thought
it might be nice if we had him
out for dinner in honor of the oc-
casion, and I want very much to
have you as our other guest. Now
please don't refuse, my dear"
Audrey was thinking swiftly
and reaching a conclusion before
Mrs. Castle had finished. It would
not be fair to Vic to refuse. II
shall be very glad to come" she
answered.
THANK you, my dear. will
send Dean for you about seven
thirty. And, if you don't mind, I
shall not tell Victor. It will be a
little surprise. Thank you so
much. Goodby."
When the chauffeur deposited
her at the front door Of the big
house, it developed that Victor
had not yet arrived, and Audrey
experienced something OF a shock
when Mrs. Castle accompanied
her up to the dressing room near
the head of the stairs.
The older woman had changed
perceptibly. She seemed much
smaller and there was almost a
suggestion of frailty. But there
was a more subtle change, a
touch of usefulness in her quiet