The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1940-04-18
>mKR1s WAk1Nc
NV Mrs. Harry Pueh Smith
my grandfather's housed"


81 signed the papers couple
of hours ago."
But" cried Janet breathlessly,
cts dreadfully run down. That's
why Mother let the property 60
practically for back taxes. we
couldn't afford to live there and
no one would rent it. People don't
care for those huge, old-fashloned
places any, more g
81 do said Tony Ryan. Its
like this" he explained. "When I
was ragged alley rat I promised
myself that some day I'd buy the
best of everything. At that time
the old Radcliffe mansion repre-
sented my idea of the most ele-
CANT thing of it's kind"
cit broke Mothers heart to
give up the place." said Janet lcl-
ly. cts one of the few times l
ever saw her cry. Since then I've
gone blocks out of my way not
to pass the house. It isn't pleasant
to be reminded that the glorles
of your past are past"
eff it would be painful, forget
it,"
"Don't be ridiculous" said
Janet. "Paupers cannot afford
sentiment"
"That's settled then? Shall we
fix a day to go out and look
things over? Tomorrow"
eff you like"
'Ill pick you up at two at
your home"
She gave him curious glance.
won't you rattle around like a
marble, alone in that huge
place."
He shook his head. "Of course
I shan't live there long alone" he
said.
She stared. "Ycu're going to be
married."
Naturally" he said, zone can't
select wife as quickly as a
house."
'You haven't selected one yeti"
cried Janet in a dismayed voice.
He grinned. Cali know is that
she'll have to be out of the top
drawer"
Janet decided she hated him.
Locally you'll find Priscilla
Leigh our highest priced article -
she remarked disdainfully. =
$50 she's given me to under
stand" said Tony Ryan. :
& **
So far as Berenice and Bill
Carter were concerned, the party
at Lou Fletcher's that same eve
ming was not a success. They ran
the radio and danced and made a
great deal Of noise. The people in
the adjoining apartment knocked
on the wall, but no one paid any
attention. They were a quiet mid
dle-aged couple and did not be-
long TO "The Bunch" as Bere-
nlce's friends called themselves.
The Skeletons were middle-aged
too ''But we don't let it get us
down." cried May, shricking with
laughter when Guy draped a
tapestry from the wall about his
shoulders and pretended to be a
bull-fighter in action.
| Guy was screamingly funny, or
SO Berenice thought, but Bill sat
in the corner and sulked just as
she had expected him to do.
She went over to Bill. Ready
to go?"
what do you Think" he ask
ed.
He did not trouble himself to
tell the Fletchers he had enjoyed
the party, Berenice seethed with
anger.
II hope you're satisfied" she
said when they were alone in
their own apartment.
Bill stalked into the dressing
room and began to hunt for his
pajamas. IF I refuse to 90 to
their darned parties, you're sore.
If I give in and go, you're sore.
It's got so it's hell around here
any way you take it."
IF you could manage" cried
Berenice in a choked voice, "we'd
never have any friends"
Bill let down the in-a-door bed
with an angry thud. Cant you
see that this sort of thing is play
ing the devil with us?" he asked.
When Bills voice quivered like
that, the hard core of defiance in
Berenice's heart gave way. She
was never able to resist his
tenderness.
IF l weren't crazy about you I
wouldn't care what you did," he
said unsteadily.
Il know" whispered Berenice.
Il had something to tell you
when I came home" said Bill,
"only you weren't in a receptive