The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1940-07-11
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"And so am I, Oracle. Now get
your hat and let's CO."
"But the dishes"
"Throw them out the window"
he said smilingly.
During the weeks that followed
every Tuesday and Thursday
evening found Len Rollins at the
armory court tutoring Bot Rich
mond. After the first dozen les
sons the younster took to the
game amazingly we'll.
They were out on the wooden
court now, two days before
Christmas, and young Bob Rich
mond at thirteen was a tennis
player any other boy might we'll
envy. AS Bob's tennis had i'm
proved, so, proportionately, had
Lens bank account prospered.
Twenty dollars a week for nine
weeks had given much-needed
support to a bank balance en-
tirely depleted by furniture pur-
chases. Back and forth went the
ball-back and forth ..
On Saturday Grace was buying
a suit. And just the other day
he had seen in one of the Fifth
Avenue shop windows exactly the
sort of fur scarf he knew she
would like and appreciate-the
soft, fluffy silver fox
At noon the next day he went
to the bank and drew a hundred
dollars. Then he made his way
directly to the shop where he had
seen the fur piece. Yes, it was
he'd out in all it's soft, luxurious
still there in the window, stretc-
beauty. Five minutes later he
stepped out of the modern red
and silver interior, a long par
row box tucked cautiously under
his arm, and walked quickly to
the Metropolitan.
Happy Christmas from the
boss of 4-B," he said to Grace
that evening, handing her the
box.
Her eyes widened. ooh, Len!
Len, what is it,"
AS naive as a child opening
the box containing her first doll,
Grace tore nervously at the
strings. At last the cover was off,
now the tissue paper hurriedly
was thrust aside. She was over
whelmed staring at the lovely
contents-pleased, stirred.
She lifted the soft fur out of
its wrayyings. ooh, Len, darling"
she breathed, cts beautiful! How
did you ever" |
She draped the scarf around
her shoulders. 1T looks twice as
lovely on you," he claimed.
II Think" her voice still quive-
red with emotion, "that saw a
card"
The silver scarf still draped
around her shoulders, she took |
the card from the box-a plain |
white one on which was written !
MERRY Christmas" But
what made it differ from all Of !
her cards were the two yellow |
pasteboards attached to it with a
clip. 'La Boheme," he said simp-
ly.
ooh, Len!'
He smiled. Il suppose I'll have
to drag the soup and fish and the
ivory collar out of the mothballs."
"I-I suppose you'd BETTER" she
replied, her eyes starry.
This was Tuesday, one of Lens
late evenings. If Grace walked
however, and window
shopped on the way she'd not get
to Talbot's too early. They could
have dinner out. It would be fun;
the change would do them both
good.
When she arrived outside Tai
bots at seven-fifteen it was dark
inside. Probably, though, they
worked in the back somewhere,
or upstairs. She waited. No one
came out. Minutes went by. Still
no one emerged. Quarter to eight.
before.
Len? He'd never been this late
Where in heavens name was
Resolutely she went up to the
big door and ratified the handle
of the brass knob; knocked as
SHE dared against the window
panes. After about five minutes
a wizened old man opened the
door.
TO BE CONTINUED