The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1944-01-07

DGSluCo, tllot io 5SA16 S-ASSA eN~~-
ty again haunted her. How could
she be sure this was the guilty
pair? They were so affable, so in
nocent looking. Still, John and Will.
liam Smith were bit too glib.
Too pat, for those arrogant blond
faces with the chiseled b w S,
noses, chins. John and W I'LL m
Schmidt. Johann and Wilhelm
Schmidt She stopped dead still.
Fortunately the brothers thought
she had halted to watch a cigaret
peddler. He took four cigarets from
pack and, in return for coin of
slight value, handed them to his
customer. Actually Mallory's eyes
had not seen the transaction.
You smile because the m e r.
chant sells only a few cigarets"
William Smith was speaking for
the first time.
Mallory felt grateful for words
that gave substance to her be-
havior. Isn't it unWsual?'
On the contrary. The merchant
prefers it. If he sold all his wares
he would have nothing to do but
go home The trip to market would
be wasted. You see, they come
from many miles, 80 or 40, walk
ing usually, so the market is not
only for buying and selling. 1t is
for visiting.'
A little boy sauntered by, drag
ging three squealing pigs on a
rope. Yes" said the older man.
That little chap, for instance, by
now he has had dozens of bids on
those pigs. But he will not sell
until very late. That would ruin the
sport
I see." Mallory's voice was
weak there was none of the IA
nous lung power, for which she
was noted, back of it now.
They walked on through the
throng, the two men making ex-
planatory and descriptive observa-
tons. Again Mallory had that
dream-like sensation of not even
being there. Yet she saw every
thing clearly. The Indian men and
their sons in enormous strow has
straight-legged trousers and dull
white and loose jackets. Often they
wore serapes across one shoulder,
or folded blanket. AS l carry my
sable scarves, unused the b o n d
girl. The women wore full skirts
and large snawls. The shawl COW
cred the shoulders and sometimes
the head. Frequently a baby was
slung. papoose-style. into part of
the shawl.
Suddenly Mallory glanced up at
the sun. 1t was comforting to see
that the sun and sky still existed.
Everything else was so unreal.
Bill Smith interrupted her
thoughts. You haven't told us
your name-ah, but we know it.
You're Mallory Baker. the famous
singer. We asked the desk clerk in
Monterrey, didn't we, john
ICS, dltilOuSIl we we're quite
sure you were the opera star when
we first saw you registering in that
town."
Mallory was on the verge of say
ing, But you didn't even look at
me in Monterrey" Something held
her back. They'd like to know if
l noticed them there, because if
they knew that, they would have
better idea of my powers Of OBJ
servation. They would know how
much l saw along the highway"
Again she forced that composure
that aided on nights of stage fright
'In Monterrey she smiled
charmingly and tapped one tenn
ple-'there 1 was SO weary I was
wacky.'
And Pm wacky right now" she
added to herself, to be walking
along between these two friends.
We almost spoke to you that
night" John Smith said. You
seemed so lonely
I'm sorry you didn't" the girl
murmured politely. If you mad,
she thought, I'D have tainted"