The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1940-08-08

= e
. He took her hands inhis, plea
ded, 'Please come across with me,
Oracle. Don't you see-can't you
feel-that I need your"
''Then you've decided definitely
to 60 even if I don't?"
"But you'll go, darling"
you're evading the question,
Len. Will you go even if I don't?"
His expression changed sudden
. 1y. "I'm the man of this family"
he said in low tone, mot you.
And you're going to do what I
want, or else. I'm going to Eur
ope. And I'm going to play on
the United States Davis Cup
team. And you're going with me.
Now let's cut out all the non
sense"
She asked, "What was the job
MIR. Justin spoke to you about?"
Something about managing the
sports department of store in
Indianapolis. It will wait, OF
course. until we come back"
cit would mean a promotion?
eyes. But I'm not much inter-
ested. want to get into the other
line-selling. More money in 1t.
She moved out of his arms,
staring at him dumbly, for she
knew this was the end.
She came toward him slowly, a
bit hesitantly, to where he sat
behind the wheel of Charlie
Hughes Ford roadster. He threw
the side door open and she
climbed in next to him.
He said: 'These past two weeks
have seemed like two years. I've
missed you, Oracle" The car
free of the Worthington grounds,
headed toward the open ribbon OF
the smooth road. ''You want TO
continue like this?"
"You are going, Them? she
kept watching the road.
eyes. But suppose I stayed
home and took that job out
West?" ..,,
I'd go with you if you still
wanted me-" 81,
"Of course I'd want you. 1eil
in love with you the moment
saw you. I'll always be in love We
with you-no one else. Why ism :,
It possible for me to have you and
still play?
fore. let's not talk about it..
"When 1 come back, what
ct will all be over if you 60
"Then," he said, ''this is the last
timer"
She did not appear to hear him
He was only vaguely aware OF
the rapid motion, of the SOFT IAN
ming wind. He was driving very
fast the accelerator pushed way
down. But he did not realize IT.
There was a sign post with eau
tion to motorists informing them
that the road was under repair
But he never saw it. He was
thinking: How silly! How close
and yet how far away she Is
from me. A few feet only-ye1
miles, miles -.
The last time! Divorce he
could return to his old life-he
could be rich too-fifty thousand
dollars. He'd never have to work
again. He could invest it and live
modestly, happily on the income
Happily? Without Grace?
The light car bumped, swerved,
went on; his foot renamed
pressed to the accelerator, his
hands hard on the wheel. Too late
he saw the bend in the road and
the man in the dirty oVeralls
waving a red flag.
Another car came around the
bend. He jammed on the brakes
A huge hole yawned ahead. 1t
was close, too close. He cut the
wheel sharply, foot still on
brakes, then he heard the sharp
intake of Grace's breath as the
roadster careened crafty toward
the side of the road. He was con-
scious of short, frightened
scream at his side. And then
nothing
Overalled legs rose above and
around him; something wet and
salty was on his mouth. He put
his hand to his face and drew it
away covered with blood. One
of the overalled figures kneeled
down beside him and began WHIP
ing his face and head with cool,
wet cloth. Gall right, buddy?"
He nodded He felt weak. Sha-