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

Sf1at L EN- hin FIVE
JEROME STEPPED closer to
Miss Martha. and Dian couldn't
help but see them, since the street
light threw n bar of silver across
the porch floor. Anyway. Martha
saw you in new light tonight. -
what on earth are you driving
at. Jerome"
II mean. l saw that you're orna.
mental"
Me? At my agew
Age has nothing to do with It
Besides. I'm far from young my
self. reckon maybe l am q bit too
old for DIAN"
'Shucks! A girl like Dian need.
an older man to look after her"
How about you p" said Jerom,
su:tly. Don't you need someone t.
look after you?"
"Fiddlesticks! I've been looking
after myself all this time, so
reckon I can go on"
Maybe" said Jerome. Then he
pulled Miss Martha toward hin
and kissed her.
Well" Miss Martha said ex.
plosively. We'll. of all things!"
Don't be mad. Martha" saiC
Jerome. his voice shaking. II
couldn't help it,"
Now 1 know you're raving
stark crazy!" Miss Martha said.
Jerome looked ut her for a mo.
ment, and then he walked down the
steps.
Good night" he called back
I've certainly got lot of thinking
to do-after that kiss"
"Well-I never!" said Miss Mar.
tina.
She turned quickly. found hel
latchkey. unlocked the door anG
went on into the house.
Dian did not move. She sat there
in the porchswing feeling a Bit
stunned. 1t took her some little
time 20 get hold of herself. When
she did, she smiled somewhat wry-
ly. and thought: II lost Fred. and
now darned if it doesn't look like
I've lost Jerome" She also found
her latchkey, unlocked the door
and went into the house. Quietly
stcalthiiy. She didn't want her
Aunt Martha to hear her. She
wanted to get to her room and into
bed. She couldn't bear the idea OF
having to talk to anyone.
On Saturday morning Dian
opened her eyes to behold a perfect
day-a day that was all green and
silver beneath n cloudless demo OF
soft blue. And she was strangely
disappointed. Sine had gone to bed
the night before. after an entire
day at t..e farm. actually hoping
that Saturday would be q day of
rain and general disagreeablcness.
But it wasn't like that at all. 1t
was day especially made for pic
mics ard the birds were singing
away rs though there wasn't q
thing wrong in the whole wide
CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
MISS MARTHA smiled when
Dian remarked that Jcrome's
house was a beauty. Yes, it Is"
she said softly. And what won
derful things q woman's hand could
10 to it," She caught herself well,
have n good time, my DEAR" she
said. and don't stay in the water
too long"
"Yes'm," said Dian, as she had
done when she was n little girl.
But she thought, Sometimes /
feel like diving under the water
Three times and coming up twice"
And be careful of that bowl of
potato salad made" Miss Martha
cautioned. Keep 1t topside up"
"Yes'm" Dian caught her aunt
to her, gave her a hug, and then
drove off. Then-more sheer per-
versity-she called back. IF you
see Jerome today" she said, "you
might drop hint that I'm begin
ming to melt"
OH" said Aunt Martha. Just
mat and nothing more. But the
look on her face!
Bill and Paul were waiting out
ia front Of the inn when Dian
drove up a short time later. They
looked marvellous, Dian thought.
Like Two young men illustrating
"hat the correctly attired young
man will wear this year when he
goes picnicking! Flannel Stacks,
sport shoes and Jackets that made
.heir shoulders look broader and
their hips narrower.
ihey were carrying their bathing
tnings on their arms and also had
some boxes.
what's In those 2" Dian asked.
Candy-fruit," said Bill. Paul
ana thought we ought to contrib
ute something to the feast"
Right" said Paul. We've also
got some wienies. thought It
fire."
Fine" said Dian. II adore
wienies! Only Claire's not going to
Why not'" Paul asked, his face
falling.
DON'T forget that her mothers
suppiying mess o. fried chicken,
anu she's famed all over Arden
fryer" 80 '"'"
On, that" said Paul. He
,.aughed. Don't worry. The way I
see, now, / can do justice to chick.
eh a.. as well as hot dogs"
so can l." said Biil.
ana, said Dian, Il thought
man N low Lost their appetitesS