The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-08-03
CHAPTER ELEVEN

AN ORANGE rim Of sun still
was spilling its bright color down
the mountain side to the west when
Jean whirled the station wagon
into the courtyard. Mrs. Parkinson
put down her book and smiled
from her deck chair in the patio.
Welcome home, dear" she called.
did you have busy dsy?"
And howl" Jean called as she
jumped from the car and started
toward her hostess. III business
keeps pouring in this way I'll have
20 be a one-woman swing shift"
How about a swim before din
ner?" Mrs. Parkinson suggested.
And then we'll have our dinner in
our robes, by the edge of the pool"
You have a positive genius for
thinking of just the right thing at
he right time!" Jean smiled.
The two women. arm In arm,
went in to change for their swim.
Jean was ready first, and came out
to sink into deeply cushioned
bamboo chair to wait for Mrs. Par
kinson. AS her wide blue eyes
looked away to the mountains, that
were shaded now from almost an
orchid Of color to deep purple. she
found herself wondering what
certain dark-eyed young man was
doing in Mexico City! Whether he
had given her a thought since he
left Rancho Gasoline? The slam
ming Of the screen door ard the
slap Of Mrs. Parkinsons huaraches
on the flagstones brought her back.
Flinging her crimson bathing rape
on the chair, Jean crossed to the
high-dive platform. On the top
platform she was poised a moment,
a perfectly nodded figure in a
white suit, her arms and legs the
color Of Mocha. She sprang lightly
from the board and cut a perfect
arc to the green pool below. When
she came to the surface, Mrs. Par
kinson called to her, LAS perfect a
swan dive as I ever saw! Looked
professional to me. Sure you're not
holding out on some Of your tai
ents?"
Jean laughed. II never was
professional, but I did do a bit of
amateur diving for the Ocean
Spray Athletic club few summers
ago"
Il used to do a good deal Of
swimming myself when I was
younger" Mrs. Parkinson said. In
fact, Mr.. Parkinson and I Judged
several meets at the Grande hotel
one winter while we were staying
on the French Riviera"
Its great sport, I think" Jean
said. And there's nothing better
for the figure"
Just then Mrs. Parkinson turned
down the fagstone walk. Her eyes
met the figure of Rosita, walking
with her head down and small fires
blazing from the depths Of her
dark eyes. Hello, child" she called.
Where have you been all day? I
haven't had a glimpse Of you since
early moaning"
Il have been riding In the hills"
Rosita said with a sharp tone to
her voice. She smiled a faint, quick
smile at Mrs Parkinson as il In
apology for her curt reply, and then
through narrowing eyes glowered
at the poised figure Of Jean on the
high-dive platform.
We're having dinner out here
by the pool. Rosita," Mrs. Parkin-
son said gently. ignoring the girls
bad humor.
Thank you, no, sonora. I will eat
In the kitchen with Elena" Rosita
snapped loudly. Elena, she Is
veree nice girl"
Jean dived again and again, and
finally, when she saw Jose coming
with a small table with dinner
service for two, she climbed from
the pool, tossed her rubber cap to
the ground, and threw her cape
around her shoulders.
Il feel completely refreshed" she
said as she watched Mrs. Parkin-
son ladle out steaming creamed