The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1940-09-19

Sat1on is ralntly 1am1llar.
| cat kid parties. When we didn't
know any better.
"Well, I'm educated now. And
travel does broaden one"
$50 it seems. How's Europe?"
! Didn't you get my cards?"
! Rather. They weren't exactly
informative" Audrey watched
her companion speculatively as he
studded his cigarette and tossed
the butt into the water. When he
gave no indication of further con-
versation, she ventured: Every
body's expecting that you'll go
into your fathers office. 1t will
be nice for both of you"
"Yeah?" There was a cynical
look in Jeff's brown eyes. BE
tween pals, Cycle, I'm on a spot.
| You know the old gentleman
gives of his professional time to
the circuit. Of course there's al
ways some practice drifting into
the office-routine stuff from old
clients and whatnot. But Miss
Annie can do the job heap bet
ter. In fact, I doubt if know
enough law to win her confid-
ence."
Audrey was forced to smile at
that conceit and the picture it
brought to mind, of elderly Anna
j Dodds who had been in Judge
George Castles office almost as
long as anybody could remember.
GAS a matter of fact" Jeff con-
tinued modify, II don't get much
steamed up over the law. I sup
pose it's a good enough founda-
tion."
For what?"
| Before he could answer feml-
nine voice came floating across
the creek. ooh, Mr.. Jeff, pleased"
! The call came from a young wo-
man in a maids cap and white
ruffled apron.
"What is it, Christine?"
''The operator has been trying
to get you, sir. 1t is long-dist-
ance call"
80. K. Be there in a minute.
Botheration," he grumbled as he
got to his feet.
| Audrey was hugging her knees,
staring at the trim maid strolling
back leisurely toward the Castle
house.
"What was it you said about the
old trysting place." she inquired
dreamily.
! Nothing" Jeff growled. Il say
how about a little drive after din
lner?"
Il don't believe I can . this
evening""
Fine" he grinned. ''I'll come
for you at eight" With that, he
started in the direction of the
bridge.
Audrey continued to sit motion.
less, thinking. It was good to see
Jeff again. Almost two years since
he had been back home, his las
year in college followed by an
other doing Europe in the Crane
manner. That's what it was to be
the only child of wealthy parents
instead of the one child of moder'
ate circumstances Jeff seemed tt
have changed very little, but Au
drey had felt vague disappoint
ment. His plans for her indicated
that he expected the two of then
to drift into the old intimacy O.
long-ago vacations. Apparently h
didn't realize that things were
different now.
The Swans rambling old hous'
stood on a sixty-acre tract tina
once had been portion of tn
Castle land, separated now by thu
winding reaches of Briar Greek
Judge Castle was a wealthy mar
in his own right and he had mar
ried money. Clipped hedgerow
enclosed the formal gardens will
their fountains and Occasional
pieces of statuary.
Young Jeffrey Castle was nine
-Audrey's senior by less than ;
year-when he first CHANGED tt
see the new girl" from the mex
house. Audrey proved to be /;
pleasant discovery. She was &C
tive and muscular, could throw ;
ball or hurl 2 stone with fal
greater accuracy than Jeffrey anc
could ride his FESTIVE pony at toy
speed without the benefit of sad
die or stirrup.
Audrey's passion for books was
another bond and the two friends
spent many an hour in the Judges
library-when he was absent
lying prone on the big bearskin
rug before a cracking fire-heads
together over some illustrated
volume, or reading apart as their
fancies dictated. It was in one OF
these bookiSh sessions that jeff