The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-10-04
CHAPTER TX

l. mo S1I1 VIII lace ike HllIlC
sould expect romance. I knew
there was healing in my hands,
so I took nurses training, then
went on private duty. One day,
was called to take the case OF a
man named Byington. The woman
at the registry kidded a little, SAID
the man had money and that
might as we'll work for bonus.
Il did. My bonus was marriage.
''Not until afterward did l learn
where my husbands money came
from. He was a small-time CAMP
Ter who'd come into string OF
race horses. We Travelled with
them. learned how some races
are won. l had the opportunity
of using my nurses training on
those poor, mistreated beauties. I
read and studied. I learned all I
could so that 1 could make life
easier for my husbands meal
tickets.
81 wasn't sorry when he lost
them overnight at gaming table.
"He lost me, too. My one reason
for remaining with him-to help
his horses-was gone. He said I'd
left because he was broke, and he
wanted me to go back to nursing
to provide him with a stake. Be-
cause he was down and out, I
foolishly did return to him for a
while, and we lived on what I
made as a nurse.
''Then, l learned that he'd been
drawn into something worse than
a gambling ring. This gang needed
his 'gentlemanly' appearance, his
= front And he needed me to keep
up that front. But l was through
81 left him again and kept my
whereabouts hidden. l gradually
earned enough money to take vet
Urinary training. 1t took me
while. but 1 made the grade. And
then. he found me out. I'd set UP
shop under the only name 1 could
use legally. had to get out. close
shop, hide, because he wanted his
cook back.
81 learned that Herb Westmore
with whom I'd gone through the
veterinary school, needed an as
sistant. He was about to take over
here, and l thought that, if he'd
take me with him to this spot
thousands of miles from the city
where my husband was, l could
know some peace. I need not even
use my own name if I was to be
only an assistant. Herb needed a
housekeeper as well as an assis-
tant. AS we had the same back
ground-we'd both grown up or
cattle ranches-we decided that
could pose as his sister, have the
protection of his name.
WED been here a few months
1 when, while out shopping, I look
J ed through a grocery store window
and saw my husband pass. Herb
checked and found that he was
living at the hotel here. He was
in and out of town-and his rep
utation was not savory."
Rusty's mind went flashing back
to the night of the storm, to "the
lesson" Herb had tried to teach
her. Had it been the knowledge
of this Byington's presence in the
city that had prompted the warn.
ing?
And was this the reason for the
warning he'd given Adelaide wher
Decker's men had come to the
door?
Il refuse to run away again,
Adelaide was concluding. I'm O.
use here. Well, that's all. Better
get some Sleep
"You'd better" Rusty said soft.
ly. And, Adelaide, how about
\ giving yourself sedative this
timer"
81 may. That Caesarian rather
got me down. If oversleep, cal
me. Promise?"
Il promise"
Rusty kept her promise. The
next morning, she called Adelaide
but not until breakfast was pre-
pared, one portion on a tray to be
carried to the bedside.
Here, here" protested AIDE.
laide. "Just who is the hostess anc
who is the guest?"
Rusty pushed her back agains
piled-up pillows. For few mo
ments, rigid back held the WON
an upright. Then she relaxed anc
sighed.
''This is the first breakfast w
ever had in bed. And I'm goin.
to enjoy it! Where is the morning
paper?"
"Propped up before Docto:
Westmore, but I'll change that.
Rusty whisked into the dining
room and snatched the newspaper
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