The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1940-10-10

ton.
81 fancy not" was the quiet re-
joinder. Anthony elbowed the
young man aside, bent over the
bed and began a gentle but tho
rough investigation. ut will be
an arm or leg if anything worse
than a shaking up. She's we'll
enough" He pulled knife from
his pocket and opened its heavy
sharp blade. He locked up rather
apologetically at Jeff. Sorry to
cut a new boot like that, but it's
uncommonly tight. I'm afraid to
drag it off"
go ahead" Jeffrey urged ner-
vously.
Audrey watched her father
part the heather with cautious
strokes, drag the boot eff care
fully and drop it. Then he turned
to her. maybe you can do bet
ter job, my girl, getting that
stocking off,"
AS the sheer silk hose was
freed from the breeches cuff,
Audrey rolled it down with gen.
tie fingers. 'What do you think,
Dad?"
II can't say. It may be no more
than sprain, or there may be
broken bones or torn ligaments. :"
Listen, Swan" Jeff whispered
somewhat irritably. ''What was
the matter with that darned
mare, anyway? My man brought
word that you said she was o. K.
at the jumps. Were you watch
ing? She acted as if she'd never
been put at fence"
'There was nothing the matter
with the mare whatever, Mr.. JEFF
frey" The last word scarcely had
left his lips when the silence was
punctured by the distant crack
of a rifle. She'll not be jumping
again." he added with grim bit
| terness.
1t seemed as if the report might
have startled Olive into wakeful-
ness, for her eyelids fluttered,
then opened wide. There was a
helpless dazed expression in the
large dark eyes. She must have
recognized Jeff for she called his
name family and he dropped to
his knees at her side. solve! Are
you all right?"
what happened?" She was
looking wonderingly at the 9TH
ers. Oh! I remember"
"You had a SPILL" Jeff ex-
planned hurriedly. you're all
right now"
Fancy that wretched mare re-
fusing an easy jump like that!"
said Olive. II hope she broke her
neck. Oh! My ankle!"
"You wrenched it bit," Jeff
soothed. "The doctor will be here
shortly"
Olive looked at the faces about
the bed and managed a SMILE
Sorry I made such a spectacle
of myself. I'm all right now. If
you'll help me up, Jeffrey .. I"
'You stay right where you are,
Mrs. Cooper" Martha directed. Il
think that's Doctor Bardsley COM
ing up now" as steps were heard
on the stairs. eyes, it is. In here,
Doctor"
The others, save jeff, left the
room as the physician entered
and Audrey found herself being
escorted below stairs by Victor
Quinn. Audrey" Vic said, ''my
equestrian ignorance is depres-
sing. But I couldn't help thinking
from some remark your father
made that this accident shouldn't
be charged fairly to to the
horse"
''The horse had nothing to do
with it. But please don't quote
me-"
NATURALLY not. I'm sincerely
glad the girl was not seriously
hurt, but I can see where it def
nitely puts an end to the party
'I'm sorry. But I imagine
you're right. Mrs. Cooper won't
be up to much of anything for a
little while, I suppose"
maybe she'll have to stay on
with you," Vic suggested mali
ciously.
well try to take good care of
her"
II was spoofing. Mrs. Castle
will have her over there before
shutdown. You'll see. May I come
back? I mean it terribly"
"You will be welcome any
time, of course"
Thanks lot for everything.
You're a cute number, Audrey.
Good-by." And he was gone.
Audrey was in the dining
room, standing by the sideboard
when her mother entered. eau
| 1,.oxy IiJ 1,o,, Lox,o a ohonno fO