The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1940-10-03
CHAPTER III
Synopsis

ISSpSCtCu IIOAo II oAAACA' 10 AoA IL
adjoins the estate of Judge Cas-
tie, whose only son, Jeffrey, has
recently returned to Parville ex-
pecting to work in his fathers
law Office. Audrey and Jeffrey
have been lifelong friends and
now Jeffrey is interested in an
other girl, Olive Cooper, whom ne
has met abroad. Mrs. Castle IN
yites Olive for a week end visit.
Audrey meets Vic Quinn at a
dinner party at the Castle home.
A few minutes later she hears
Olive addressed as Mrs" Judge
Castles booming voice pierces
her bewilderment.
Upon my word, if it isn't my
little girl! Audrey, you've quite
grown up and into a very
winsome young lady. En-, Lou
ise?"
eyes, indeed" Mrs. Castles
hand, plump and beringed, ap-
peared at a formal. elevation. $50
pleased to have you here, my
dear" Then as the butler ap-
peared at the door with an an
nouncement that dinner was
served, ''Victor, dear, you are
taking Miss Swan in. See that she
is nicely taken care Of"
sTo the DEATH that young man
promised gravely, offering his
arm By the time she was seated
Audrey reached the conclusion
that she quite approved OF Victor
Quinn. ~. ee
He wasn't handsome, like Jett:
But he was very much alive ana
very interesting. There was a
tongue-in-cheek quality to his re-
marks and the suspicion OF a
twinkle in the deep-set gray eyes.
at seems to me Jeffrey said
you were school friend" she
suggested politely to break a
somewhat awkward silence.
'sMore than a friend" Victor
admitted. He lowered his VOICE
to a confidential tone. "You see,
Jeff doesn't care for the law.
had to, and it was due to me that
he didn't funk out. God help him
if he ever tries the State exam!
Audrey laid her boullion spoon
aside and lifted her napkin to
her lips, controlling an impulse to
choke. Mr.. Quinn's next remark
was no help. He must have been
watching her, but he looked the
other way as he observed gently
"That's the cutest little trick your
nose did just then"
"Don>t you like it," was the de-
mure retort. 81 can't help it."
"Of course l do. Only it makes
me feel that I should offer you a
bit of carrot. I was prepared to
like you, Audrey Swan. But not
so completely. I had pet rabbit
once and I loved il"
"I believe I like you, too, Mr..
Quinn. In spite of your memo
ries."
"Theh call me Vic. We're old
friends now"
After dinner the general con-
versation seemed to anguish and
the party revealed an inclination
to separate into groups. 'Look,
Audrey" Vic remarked suddenly.
S'That next room appears to be
the Judges library. Let's slip in
and have a look and smoke.
Mind?"
I'D love to-"
"Say! You know this is what
I call SWELL" Vic stood by the
big table with it's softly glowing
lamp, scanning the shelves that
lined all the available wall space,
reaching from floor to ceiling.
Audrey stood with her back to
the table, leaning her weight on
her two palms. A long time since
she had been in this room, and
the familiar surroundings brought
a little pang. Like homesickness
She was recalled to the present
by Vic. He was regarding her
through half-closed. eyes, his
head on one side. What did you
want to ask me, Audrey"
She looked up with a start, ut
terly discounted by his shrewd-
ness. What made you think ]
want to ask you anything?" was
her parrying retort.
Deduction, my child. Didn't ]
tell you I was a lawyer? So what
was it?"
When you were telling me
about these people at dinner. ]
thought you were careful not to
include. :"
"The guest of honor? Maybe ]
was overly Informative about the
rest. You're right. Would I have
been putting my finger on a ten
der spot?"