The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1944-08-17

CduSnL OIL SudIO. OOSLtC 11d1u4dAA,
and he had thought she was a spy.
A brother at Dunkirk and now a
prisoner of war! His damaged
foot began to stab and ache; he
sat down suddenly on his wooden
stool.
whats the matter? You look
all in, anyhow" Odette Hannah
came closer to peer into the white
face.
81 don't know, miss" said Jim
Fraser steadily. II think it was
thinking of anyone being pris-
oner of war. When you've been
one yourself you know what it
means"
eyes, I know" Odette was pres
sing in the waves of her yellow
hair with trembling hands. ''It
gets me like that sometimes. Well,
if you're all right I'll get along"
When Meta saw Monsieur she
knew what she had imagined
about him was correct, and in
some way she felt frightened. Her
greeting was different and re-
strained. well, how nice of you
to come" Meta knew her voice
was queer, but she could not help
it. She led the way into the
charming heather-colored sitting
room, feeling as if her hands and
feet dragged up two chairs.
''Permittez. Monsieur, who had
remained in the hall to take off
his coat and hat, now entered;
fully resolved to exert himself
and be pleasant whatever it might
cost him. Looking extremely well
groomed, he seized a third chair
by its cushioned back and smil-
ingly invited Meta to sit down
in it.
ooh, thank you very much,
Merci beaucoup.' Meta sat down
with a jerk. pas de quoi," said
Monsieur gracefully.
''She talks French quite WE'LL y
said Joan chattily. She was think
ing that Meta looked very nice
and that Monsieur knew it. He
and Meta were talking away in
a mixture of French and English
and Monsieur had lost that ex-
preston of profound melancholy.
Monsieur went up into the
village this morning." Jane cut in
suddenly.
"But yes" Monsieur explained.
81 bought some shoe laces and
on the way home I met a very
charming young lady. Tres exoti-
que" ended Monsieur, smiling.
Exotic. Joan was bordering.
"Oh, yes, that must be Odette
Hannah she said. II like her too,
and think she's lovely, but Meta
doesn't
'No, I don't care for Odette
Hannah Meta. said, "but that's
because I don't trust her. What
is she doing here to begin with?
There's something so odd about
that. agree that she had shop
in London and was bombed out
of it, but she is quite young and
could easily go back. She could
drive an ambulance or some
thing"
eyes, I agree that there is some
thing odd about Odette Hannah
but, all the same, like her." said
Joan. And then they all began to
talk about Odette Hannah.
For the moment Monsieur for
got the horrors lying crouched be-
hind his mournful brow. These
two charming women, the one so
naive and so eager, and the other,
she with the copper head and
strong resolute mouth. There was
courage behind tn t resolute
mouth with its firm lips. Lips
made for love thought Monsieur
dryly. How was it that they had
missed?
"And now for a nice evening
with lovely fires" said Joan as
she and Monsieur walked home.
She barely had time to fit the
key in the lock before the door
was opened.
'The lady arrived, num-" said
Grace agitatedly. Shutting the
door, she stood there looking dis
tracted.
ARRIVED. But she wasn't com
ing until tomorrow
"She said she said today
num-"
''She didn't" Joan suddenly felt
hostile. Or did she? ooh, It's my
fault" Joan cried. II made a mud.
die of the dates, Grace, what is
she like?"
every much the lady, mum
Seemed to think she ought tc
have been met at the station"
$50 she ought" Strengthening
her hat, Joan groaned. It'll go see