The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1943-02-11
Sc, DARK LICHTNlNCi zEIA
W%In By HELEN TOPPING MILLER Es4fk 30
WIN U. IF ArURe!

going to accept anything now till
it was definitely proven. He
snapped his suitcase shut, fasten-
ed it, and started downstairs. On
the landing Mona Lee was wait
ing for him. She laid a detain-
ing hand on his arm and her mo-
therly face was troubled and anx-
ious.
"I'll take you to town myself -
she announced crisply. "And I
know a good place for you to stay
the woman is a friend of mine.
If you're bound to go, come
along"
None of the others appeared
when the car was backed out,
and Gary flung his suitcase into
it and climbed in. He did not
calm down enough to face his
situation until he was in the
room Mona Lee had found for
him.
He went out to a drug store,
presently, spent some of his
precious capital for a sandwich
and a drink and some stamps.
And until midnight he wrote let
ters-to every oil concern and
rigging outfit that he knew about,
asking for a job. He was wax
ened early by his landlady, who
tapped alphabetically at the door
and when he opened it a crack
and blinked dazedly at her, said,
$50 sorry to wake you, Mr.. Tall
man, but there's a young man
here who insists on seeing you"
The young man pushed past
her. Hello, Lug" greeted Bill
Grant,
Gary was definitely glad to see
Bill.
What the heck bust?" demand
ed Bill, sitting on the bed. 81
went to Mason's, and there was
the darned we'll going down-and
they told me you'd quit"
Gary told him, not withhold
ing anything.
"Goes to show" Bill stated,
'that what you've got to be is a
son-in-law. This morning when
1 saw her, thought she didn't
look any too happy"
Did she say anything-Ade-
laide, l mean?" Gary tried not
to sound eager.
Il asked her for date, and she
said she was sorry-she was pref
to come. Have you found out
who cut the water line and set
this snide lawyer to sue?"
mo, but l intend to. In the
meantime, I've got to have a job.
Know any oil company that needs
the services of a bright young
man right now"
That's what I came to talk
about. Though maybe you don't
want a job Singing up steel?"
whats the job?"
"Putting up steel down on old
man Harper's land. You can &C
to work today if you want to
How's your busted shoulder"
1T flinches little-but
think it's all right. You near
Grice-Morgan are going to spuc
in on that Harper lease? Funny
they don't wait till Mason gets
his well doWn-find out whether
there is oil down there or not"
Got men on the payroll anc
have to keep 'em working. But
between you and grandpa,
think they're pretty sure they've
got oil. If you work with me,
can save you little on tina
shoulder"
II don't like Grice-Morgan very
much, Bill"
"Neither di l. But I like pay
checks" Bill said. I've got {
! truck outside. l told Mitchell
he's the boss-Pd get another
hand
On the Harper lease he coulc
work and watch Mason's vel
going down, too. And at lunch
time he walked up that way anC
was a little gratified when he
saw old Hickey walking dowr
toward the line fence to meet
him. They shook hands across
the wire like old friends who had
not seen each other in a year.
Hello, Hickey. How's she
| turning?"
| Down twenty-five hundred
feet. Into chalk now. What you
fellers fixing to do?"
Were rigging a Well-to gel
oil, Ever hear of oil, Hickey?"
Heard about it one time,
grinned Hickey.
At dusk, just as the rigging
crew were knocking off, Gary
noted some excitement around