Evening star., 1941-10-12
THIS WEEK MAGAZINE


of women. Primrose was disgusted
with herself. He'd suspect something
if she told any more lies. Quickly she
ordered two pounds and left.
The unwanted purchase was heavy
in her hands. Feeling the need for
speed in checking other hardware
stores in town, she debated between
carrying the package with her or tot
ing it back to the station. A trash
basket yawned temptingly at the
curb. She was about to dump the
package into it when the door of the
Sunnyside Restaurant swung open,
and Primrose looked uncomfortably
into the eyes of the Chief of Police
for the second time that day.
She nodded to him, her head fitting
jerkily in her embarrassment Her
hands retained their hold on the pack
age in the nick of time Deciding the
only safe place to get rid of the in
eliminating nails was back at the sta
ton, she nodded again to the Police
Chief and started to pass him.
Hey, Primrose" he called wait
a second, and III walk along with you.
Coin back to get my car" he added.
He matched his step to hers. Here"
he said. gallantly, ''let me carry that
package for you. Looks kind of heavy"
mo. thanks. No, thanks It's light"
Primrose heightened her steps as
though to prove her words. Its light
as feather Yes, Stree. Light as a
featherr'
"Lemme have it," Fender insisted
I'm still your friend even if I did
talk kind of harsh this mornin'."
Primrose brushed his hand aside
and held the package away She want
ed to run. At each step she imagined
the bulging bag showering it's damn
ing evidence at Ash Pender's feet -
A nail-point pierced the thin paper.
She clutched the parcel tighter.
In perspiring silence she hurried
along. Her anxiety kept her a full
stride in front of the Police Chief
They reached the corner of Main and
Pine. Her clutching attempts to hold
the bag tight had forced half a dozen
more points through the paper. She
didn't dare hold it gently. 1t might
slip from her hands.
With one block to 60, Primrose
stumbled. Involuntarily every muscle
in her body tensed to resist the fall.
Involuntarily her hands squeezed the
bag more than it could stand. A long
split rent one side. Nails in assorted
sizes started to pour through the open
ing - but not before Primrose in one
last desperate effort had recovered her
balance. Instinctively she bent her
knees wide and squatted, catching the
falling nails in her skirt and pressing
the fast-emptying bag against her
stomach. Ash seized her arm to raise
her to her feet. Primrose resisted.
Leave me ber' she commanded.
Ash was alarmed. Are you hurt?
Get up," he pleaded.
Primrose slowly took his advice.
She clutched the hem of her skirt and,
still holding it. rose. She gasped as
she looked down and saw the pink of
her petticoat above " we'll above
her dimpled knees. In her haste she
had seized both skirt and petticoat.
She squealed and, stout legs failing
under her, raced the final block to the
security of her station. The bawdy
laughter of Ash Pender followed her
even there.
4wo hours later, after checking -
without success - all the remaining
hardware stores in Pardy, a foot
weary and hungry Primrose returned
to the station.
I'm goin' home and fix me some
good beets and collards for lunch,"
she called to her station manager as
she came in.
Walking to her car, parked with
the monthly renters along the back
fence of the lot, Primrose got in. As
hot as the interior was. it was a relief