The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1943-05-13

They were still standing thus,
looking at each other, when there
was the stir of an arrival in the
hall, voices, the rush of cold air
that comes from the opening of
big doors. Mark looked at her
questioningly; she nodded.
cts Uncle-and Aunt Lynn"
Something like triumph came
into his face; he gripped the jade
god in one powerful hand, the
other fell at his side, clenched.
you're going to ask him now"
the girl breathed. She was only
vaguely aware of the thing it
meant to him, but she knew that
it had some deep significance.
He nodded.
They were standing together on
the hearthrug, the light of the
lamp cast a soft glow behind
them, outlining them. Mark look
ed like man from another
world, powerfully built, print
tive, a pagan in his freedom from
all the little rules and conven-
tons that made up the lives of
the people who lived there. The
girl felt it-she made no attempt
to restore things to mere formali-
ties; life was not like that for
him! They stood waiting. They
were still waiting silently when
Mrs. Lynn came rustling in and
behind her little bowed about
the shoulders, looking little old
er, the millionaire himself. Mrs.
Lynn, seeing the two, exclaimed.
"Why, Pamela, thought you
were out! Mr.. Byram, please
touch that light switch behind
you. I hate gloom!"
Burleson laughed a little
harshly. Butterflies like light" "
he remarked humorously, smiling
at his sister-in-law.
pam, I want some tea" her
aunt began, and then she stopped
She had become abruptly aware
of their attitude, and she saw
Marks face. why, Mr.. By
ram!'
He did not seem to hear her;
small courtesies were lost to him
Just then. He was as primitive
as he had been marching in the
prison-yard with his fellows
year after year. He walked slow
ly over to the library table where
Burleson stood, and the older
man, searching his face in the
new strong light. did not move.
He seemed suddenly to see some
thing in it that held him. Mark
came nearer and opened his
hands. In the hollow of his
palms the jade god squatted like
a toad. BurlesOn stared at 1t and
stared up at the young man. He
apparently linked the two by
some chain of circumstances, and
the age in his own face deepened,
the lines grew sharp, his eyes
Gulled. The two women watched
them. Mrs. Lynn in amazement,
Pam with a beating heart. 1t
seemed cons before Mark spoke.
I know this thing" he said
slowly; 1T has a curious mark
underneath-see?' H turned it
over. holding it close to Burleson.
''WilI you tell me when it came
to your"
BurIeson's hands clenched, he
grew grayly white. then, sudden
~, that red streak ran up be-
tween his eyebrows to his hair.
The effect was CHASTITY. Mrs. Lynn
caught Pam's wrist in clutching
fingers and whispered:
Send that man away-your
uncle's going to have a fit +"
Her voice was only murmur,
but t broke the spell that held
demonstrating at the jade god.
''Wil you tell me-" Mark re-
peated, in his deep voice, you
know me, Mr.. Burleson?"
Burleson's nostrils Quivered;
his lips frightened until they were
white, and the red streak was
like Saint Anthony's fire across
his face.
Yes he said slowly, Il know
you now!" AS he spoke he took
an unsteady step forward and
laid one hand upon a chair.
''Then-tell mel" Mark de-
manded hoarsely; help me that
much noW!" and he followed the