The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1941-05-15

stairs. He was standing by the
great stone fireplace and he was
gazing at the flames that leaped
and seethed, chasing each other
up the blackened chimney with a
rush and roar. She saw him IN
profile, clean-cut, rugged, high
proved, with a dreamer's look
about him, and intense look as II
his thoughts were swift and vital.
And as she watched him he
turned from gazing at the flames
and looked directly up at her.
Their eyes met with a sudden
devastating impact. She felt some
thing like panic. I'll face him. she
thought angrily. I'll not give
ground to him, not an inch:
She tore her eyes from his one
said something to Jon. Then she
was among the guests, going from
group to group with Jon. Four
more couples had arrived. There
were some she did not know. Inc
introductions took time. When' at
last It came Simon KlllegreW S
turn she could give him look 1or
look She was all right now. =,
"You've met Gillian Meade
Ion made a statement of it. you
were trespassing on her pre-
serves, she tells me-"
"Believe me, I didn't know" He
looked at Jon, not at her =.
"Well. no matter, Killigrew.
She has forgiven you. I asked her
about your propositioin-left it up
to her, in fact. And I'm IN the
publishing business. You come to
see me next Wednesday in Mon
treal and we can work out the de-
tails"
Slowly, Simon looked from Jon
to her. She saw the color ebb from
beneath his tan, saw his lbs
move. He said, 'Thank you, Mr..
Hillver. I'D like to see Jaff's
work published-under any terms.
Miss Meade has been more than
kind"
She did not again look at ST.
mon Killigrew and presently she
and Jon walked away. There were
cocktails then and there was dan
cling and then dinner. Simon had
pointedly avoided her. At dinner
he sat far down the table on the
same side and she could not see
those angry eyes of his. She
laughed and talked with forced
gayety. Try as she would she
could not forget his presence.
Jane Craddock who sat next to
Simon. and some of the others,
were talking about books. Simon
spoke of those he had published
and those he hoped to publish:
Someone. unthinking, spoke OF
poetry and Jane Craddock SAID,
"People don't read poetry these
days"
The others listened then. 1T de-
pends," said Simon. IF the poe
try is good, and yet can strike a
modern note, the public will like
it. We had such a poet in Jaftry
CLAW. but it seems that the good
die young"
There was silence then. Eyes
were bent to the table or cast SLY
looks at Gillian. She gave no sign
that she had heard. Someone
bridged the gap by beginning to
talk about dogs, and things again
flowed smoothly. Still for Gillian,
the dinner seemed to drag along
Unfortunately.
There was hopelessness in her
heart, hopelessness at the thought
of ever winning Simon Killigrew's
regard. He was cruel, as only the
Young and strong can be cruel.
There would be no forgiving, no
relenting.
"Why so quiet, Gillian?" joins
hand touched hers. They were at
the coffee now. She would be
glad when this meal was ended.
She wanted to wander out under
the stars alone. She wanted to be
with herself in all the world, save
Anse, the only one who could
look on her without too much
condemnation.
ct was dreaming. I'm sorry,
JON"
"I hope they were pleasant
dreams-of what will be-"
She did not answer. Presently
they left the table. She saw ST.
mon Killigrew go off with Jon
and some of the other men to the
stables.
Gillian wandered off alone,
down a winding path among the
pines and tall white spruce by
the lake shore.
The path led down to a little
jetty where Jon kept a speedboat
and some canoes. She walked out
to the end of it and sat down on
q ho1lard. TONIGHT. she thought,