The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1944-10-05

antly. "But you can keep tomor-
row for Mr.. Letter, can you not?"
''Well >" She is mad with
fear, thought John, averting his
eyes.
''No, that's quite certain" said
Fergus Letter. He came nearer to
John and stared at him. you'll
have to renounce your claim" he
said.
'Well," John smiled. 1.-TWO to
one," he said, 'I'm afraid I must
renounce my claim for tonight,
anyhow. Tomorrow, perhaps"
eyes" Fergus Letter grinned.
Bon Hppetit," he said. "And if
you don't know the neighborhood
very well I can recommend a
place where you will get an ex-
cellent meal. .Odette knows it
because we've already been
there.
Thanks very much" Fergus
smiled triumphantly. He had
worsted this arrogant fellow on
whom Odette was undoubtedly
keen. Little fool, he sneered in
his throat. She must be got away
from here in spite of her darned
shop. It had served it's turn.
well, we'd better get along"
he said. Put up the shutters and
come along. Well meet again
later perhaps" he nodded imper-
tinent dismissal to John.
eyes, that's probable. Good
night, Odette, and don't forget to-
morrow"
Good night" and then John
went out, carrying with him a
tragic memory of the girl he had
just left
But the following evening he
questioned her again.
Look here" he spoke urgently
''Now's your chance. You're al
ways evading the issue and I am
getting tired of it. Who is Fergus
Letter, and why has he suddenly
turned up here? Why does the
fact that he wishes to take you
out to dinner fill you with such
terror that you dare refuse to go?
Tell me now, before it is too late. u
TOO late for what?"
'To save yourself a great deal
of unnecessary suffering"
please don't question me. It's
useless, I tell you; useless" She
began to weep.
Beloved"
mo, no, no." she wrung her
hands sobbingly. II am ill, I feel
suddenly ill. Take me home and
let me 60 to bed"
They drove home in silence. For
the first time since John had
known Odette he did not feel in
clined to talk to her.
John. You are angry with
me-"
mo, not angry; disappointed
said John simply. "You show me
very plainly that you prefer Lei
ter's company to mine"
IF only I could make you see
''You had your opportunity to
do so, but you missed it," said
John calmly. "And now, if you
don't mind, We'll talk about some
thing else. Or, better still, not
talk at all. I'll take you straight
home"
THANK you"
Shall I see you tomorrow"
II doubt it." John spoke care
1essly. They were beginning to
slide down the hill that led to
Battle Point. He heard the tears
in her voice and hardened his
heart.
well, you'll let me know >. %
Her trembling lips could hardly
form the words. When at last she
stood in her own little hall she
bent forward and groaned. Oh,
God! and then the started back
from the white square on the dark
mat. Again she tore it open.
Orders for Thursday night still
hold. Ignore them and you know
the consequences. aye are the salt
of the earth, but if the salt has
lost its SAVIOR wherewith shall it
be salted?"
Thursday q. and it was now
Tuesday. Two more days. Well,
she would do his hideous bidding
and then make away with herself.
Alan would be safe; if she ended
up well, they would remember it.
Besides, she herself would be
gone, beyond this day and night
torment of imagination. It would
end in making her mad; perhaps
she was mad already, thought
Odette, staggering up the tiny
staircase that led to her bedroom.
John she had lost him; he had
not even kissed her good night.