Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1943-05-26
CHAPTER ELEVEN

AN ORANGE, rim of sun still
WAS splitting its bright color down
the mountain side to the west when
Jean whirlcd the station wagon
into the courtyard. Mrs. Parkinson
put down her bool; and smiled
from her deck chair in the patio.
"Wclc"mc home, dear" she called.
Did you have a busy dcy?" .
And how" Jean called as she
Jumped from the car and started
toward her hostess. 'If business
keeps pouring in this way I'll have
to be Il onc-woman swing shift"
How about swim before din
acr?" Mrs. Parkinson suggested.
And then We'll have our dinner in
our robes. by the edge of the pool"
Won have a positive genius foT
thinking of just tbs right thing at
the ri.:iit time Jean smiled.
IN" two women. arm in arm,
went i'll To change for their swim.
Jean WAS ready first. and came out
to sink into a deeply cushioned
Hiuh,'p chair Ia wait for Mrs. Par
kIn:;"n. AS her wide blue eyes
l""l.rd away 10 the mountains. that
were shaded now from almost an
orchid of color 10 deep purple, she
found herself wondering what
certain dark-cycd young man was
doing III Mexico City? Whether he
had given her n thought since he
lett Rancho Gasoline? The slam
ming Of The screen door and the
Sap al Mrs. rarkinSon's huaraChcs
-" III" ilaGStoncs brought her back
Ringing her crimson bathing cape
I'll the chair. Jean crossed to the
h!Eh-divc platform. On the top
platform SHE was poised n moment.
perfectly nodded figure i'm
Whit" SUIT. her arms and legs the
color of Mocha. She sprang lightly
from the board and cut n perfect
are 10 the green pool below. When
she came Ia the surface, Mrs. Par
kinson called to her. "As perfect n
swan dive as I ever saw. Looked
professional To me. Sure you're not
hoi'ilng out on some Of your tai
ents?"
Jean laughed IT never was q
professional. but did do n bit of
amateur diving for the Ocean
spray Athletic club n few summers
ago"
Il used to do good deal of
swimming myself when was
Younger. Mrs. Parkinson said. an
TACT, Mr.. Parkinson and judged
several meets at the Grandc hotel
"ir winter while we were staying
on the French Riviera"
It's great sport, I think" Jean
Sa'. And there's nothing better
Tor the figure"
Just then Mrs. Parkinson turned
Gown the fagstone walk. Her eyes
met the figure Of Rosita. walking
WIN hcr head down and small fires
'''I'hg from the depths Of her
unrk eyes. Hello, child" she called.
"hcrc have you been all day? I
haven't had n glimpse of you since
early morning."
have been riding in the hills"
hoSita said with n sharp tone to
ncr voice. She smiled faint, quick
"n'',e at Mrs. Parkinson as IL in
,i'sy ior her curt reply, and then
Trough narrowing eyes glowcrcd
a. me poised figure of Jean on the
nsh-divc platform.
were having dinner out here
oy The pool Rosita," Mrs. Parkin-
son said gently. ignoring the girls
bad humor.
Thank you. no. sonora. will eat
IN INC kitchen with Elena!" Rosita
snapped loudly. ELENA, she Is a
N"r"c nice girl"
o jean divcd again and again. and
nlnliy. when she saw Jose coming
m,'n small table with dinner
rIVicc for two. she climbed from
,e pool. tossed her rubber cap to
.le ground, and threw her cape
around her shoulders.
feel completely refreshed" she
.ald as she watched Mrs. Parkin-
sui iadle out steamlng creamed