Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1942-07-24

1
look at the weather, and found her
self wishing that even now some
thing would happen to make the
picnic an impossibility. She dread
eel 1t with every fiber of her being.
She was utterly fed up with being
one of Claire Testers foursome.
But nothing did happen. and by
the time she had showered. dressed
and had her breakfast, she knew
mat she would have to go through
with it. Besides, Claire was count
ing on Betsy to take them out to
the lake, since Betsy was a roomy
Old car. and permitted the carry
ing of such things as picnic hamp-
ers' bathing paiaphernalia. a bag
or charcoal for broiling out-of-
doors. and the making of coffee
also blankets to spread out upon
the narrow strip of beach.
We'll have the boys row us out
to the little island in the middle of
the lake. Claire had said the eve
ning before, when telcphoning to
discuss final plans. It'll be fun pre-
tending we've been cast ashore
from a wrecked ship"
Yes, heaps of fun" said Dian
without enthusiasm. II suppose the
island will be the setting for your
hnal teSt-the last act, so to speak.
of the comedy drama you've been
playing"
Perhaps" said Claire. But you
needn't take that tone. What's the
matter with you anyway, Dian 2"
Nothing at all. Why"
| You sound as though you'd
soured on the whole world"
Goodness! What a thing to say!
I'm just tired, that's all. I spent
hours looking over books out at
the farmland what I needs a good
nights rest"
well. I certainly hope you get
it," said Claire. none too pleasantly.
"A picnic's no place for a crouch.
What time will you stop to pick
me up?"
Around nine-thirty. I'll stop at
the inn first and get Bill and Paul.
That all right with you?"
"Yes-only don't be here before
nine-thirty."
And now 1t was morning--the
day of the picnic-and Dian vas
loading her stuff into the car. A
cat rubbed against her ankles now
and then. and a perky little hen
kept begging for something to eat.
Dian tossed her a piece of toast
upon which she had been nibbling.
Now" she said. go lay an
egg!"
Miss Martha came out. Dian
watched her cross the yard. and
wondered if she imagined that her
aunt walked with a new sprightli-
ness. Anyway. she certainly looked
sort of different Could Jerome's
'Tommyrot" said Paul. He got
into the back seat of the car. you
ride with Dian, Bill" he said.
She'll point out the sights to you"
Thanks" said Bill. Nothing
would please me more" And when
they were on their way out TO get
Claire. he said, did you find any
worthwhile books yesterday
IAN old set of J. Fenimore Coop
err" said Dian. "Only I'm afraid it
won't bring much, since there's no
great demand for the gentleman"
She looked straight ahead and said.
my woman's intuition kept tell
ing me that you'd come out to the
farm-but you didn't"
MY cars still out of commits
sion," said Bill. And it's too far to
walk"
80 I suppose you sat around the
inn all day. Or did you make side
Of triangle ?"
II made a side Of a triangle, as
you put it," Bill said.
my intuition is working, after
ALL" said Dian. AFTER yesterday
I wondered"
Paul wanted to take Claire out
to call on some COUSINS" Bill con-
tinued, land Claire suggested that
I go along to see some types"
Suggested or insisted'?" said
Dian. Don't bother to reply" she
quickly added. well, did you see
some 'types'?"
Eyes. as a matter of fact, did"
How nice!"
II sketched an old darby who
looked as though he'd stepped
straight from the pages of Uncle
Toms Cabin"
Don't you know that books a
forbidden subject down here ?"
Dian said.
mol didn't"
swell. 1t is-a book full OF lies
written by Yankee female who
used her outrageous emotions in
stead Of her brain: or maybe she
didn't have brain. Come to think
about 1t. that's probably where the
trouble lay"
"Boyw Bill laughed. you can be |
a little rebel when you get start
cd" Then, more seriously, Cant
YOU folk down here ever forget the
Civil war? Just because you were
licked, doesn't mean that"
I'VE weren't licked,' said Dian. |
1--WE we're outnumbered by a lot of |
foreigners whom the Yankees hired
to come and fight US at so much
per day-Yankees who were afraid
to come and fight us Themselves
Paul spoke up then. You'd bet