Evening star., 1942-12-27

mo, Mona Unless there's something can do for
you. If there's anything at all -"
Nothing" she said quietly. Absolutely nothing"
Roger sub-leased what had been Dams Office
and fired of the girls couple of rather nice COM
missions that had been hanging fire came through
By midsummer Roger Hayes, Architect, had not
worry in the world He sold his little sailboat and
bought larger one from young Jimmy Crear, who
was going into the Army. Got it at his own price
aE DIDN'T see much of Mona. and he glad of
that Mona had never liked him particularly, and
probably it was only natural that she should feel still
less friendly now She might even have ideas about
the accident she and Ed Beck the sheriff, had been
verv chummy at the inquest, and Roger was pretty
sure that Ed had been little suspicious which
didn't mean ANYTHING because Ed was suspicious OF
everything That was what made him such good
sheriff that he'd held the job, no matter how the
political tide went, for at least fifteen years.
But if Ed had had IDEAS he obviously had forgotten
them He'd taken up sailing and Roger ran into HIM
often at the dock where they both kept their boats
He was always very friendly, and he loved to talk.
81 don't knows III ever make sailor, Roger.
he said one afternoon late in the summer. i guess
there's a lot to that saying about teaching an old
dog new tricks. don't get the hang OF setting my
sail right to get the most drive out of it, and the same
tor the 1lD. some HlcDOc you "ouioH
mind giving me some pointers eh?'
Rogers first impulse to pass up the very obv-
GUS bid but that wouldn't have been smart. No harm
ever came to anybody by being friendly with sheriff
- and Ed had undoubtedly been waiting for him.
Roger always went sailing Saturday afternoons when
there was good breeze and the weather was fair.
GLOW about noW?" Roger said with forced jOvlallty.
I'm going out and I'd be glad to have company
well, that's mighty fine of you Roger. Eds face
beamed 81 was hoping you say something like that
Ed wasn't as bad sailor as Roger had imagined.
After Roger had cautioned him few times to ease
off the jib sheet 50 that the jib wouldn't back-wlnd
the mainsai he pretty good crew. and ne
grinned all over when Roger complimented him.
81 used to sail some when I was kid. - he admit
ted But YOU forget an awful lot It's working the
mansail and tller together that seems to get me
down. wish could handle boat like you can"
"It's not 50 difficult. Look; there's nice breeze
out here You skipper her for while, and maybe
can set you right on a few things
1t was long lesson Ed was full OF questions, but
he learned quickly, and itwas pleasure TO snow the
old boy few of the fine points OF sailing MAYBE
Roger suggested at length, wed better oe turning
back The winds freshening and it looks as though
it might get puffy, later on.
IT WAS only minute or 50 later that 1t happeneo'
Roger was leaning out on the high SIDE, looking up
at the sail Suddenly, the boat seemed to drop from
beneath him, and plunged him into the water.
He fought his way up, and shook the water rom
his eyes, The boat was some little distance away
but it was turning and starting back. Ed was han
ding her beautifully.
Roger reached down and pulled off both shoes
He wasn't much of swimmer, but he could manage
to stay afloat until Ed reached him; it would take
only few seconds. But as the boat came Close 1t
veered away. Roger shouted angrily Here am,