The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1946-10-31

fore you left the hospital - that
was enough" .4l.1,,1 i'll, 4
| His eyes oblazed and he began
to concentrate on Mrs, Miles ap-
/ pie pie. Janet knew he was re-
Numbering the scene in the OPP
Grating room and was still half
blaming Richard for the senior
surgeons criticism which fol-
lowed. Hastily her mind sought
to introduce a new topic of con-
versation.
They sat around the den after
dinner, desultorily making con-
versation. Several times Janet
saw Cliffs eyes stray to the win
dows and the ominously gray
skies and dizzily whirling snow.
She knew he longed to leave and
was only staying because of his
promise to her. Once when she
! caught him he flushed painfully
and stared across the room to
where Naomi was discussing one
of her new theories about child
, psychology with Richard. At last
he got to his feet.
81 hate to break up what l can
, tell is highly scientific discus
sion, Naomi, but we'll have to be
leaving soon and I'd like to see
. DR.. Eynon's laboratory before we
CO."
Richard seemed surprised and
pleased and the two disappeared
into the lab.
Janet felt uneasy. What was
Cliff up to now? He had shown
no interest in the alterations at
Oakhart when she had wanted to
8 show them to him a month or SO
ago, yet he looked very deter
mined as Richard led him out
of the room.
She and Naomi didn't attempt
to talk. There was little left
to say when they saw each other
nearly every morning. They each
selected a magazine and began
to read.
Fifteen minutes later the two
men returned. There were grim
white lines around Richards
mouth and Cliff looked sullen. S
"Come on, Naomi, we've got to
be leaving-it's been very nice
Janet"
I'm glad you came, Cliff, make
it again soon - '
Her voice trailed off-a queer
: fmuffled explosion had come from
somewhere outside. They all
stood silent, waiting =.
1t came again, louder, and this
time it was followed by the brit.
tie tinkle of breaking glass in the
kitchen.
i Richards face turned red with
, anger, his mouth frightened
. Someone" he muttered, "seems
: to have forgotten that! the hunt.
. ing season is over"
He dashed into the kitchen and
they heard the back door slam
Janet's heart began to pound
with fear.
They stood there in the hal
listening, the three of them -
J., Janet, Naomi and Cliff.
Abby came out of the playroom
end hurried past them; they wer5
, hardly aware of her. Janet's
: pulse was throbbing in her throat
she put out her hand.
F'Cliff, I'm afraid, Pm afraid
: Easy, Jane" His fingers tight
ened on her arm. He picked ur
his coat ell go outside and see
: if I can help" He looked away
from her to hide the uneasy pre-
monition in his eyes.
They followed him uncertainty
into the kitchen. One of the small
loaded panes was lying in frag-
ments on the floor and already
snow was drifting through the
gaping hole.
Mrs Miles came in from the
cottage, her gray hair so powder
ed with flakes that it resembleo
an old-fashioned wig. 81 thought
I heard shot," she said, ano
stared at them, a question in hel
eyes.
Someone broke the window,
Janet explained. Richard has
!, gone outside to investigate. Mrs
;. Miles, please 60 in and stay with
the children - we'll be right
back"
Richard and Abby had proceed
ed them, their floundering steps
making blurred, indistinct pat
tern in the new layer of snow
The trail led around the house
away from the kitchen.
They trudged along in single
file and lust as thew turned the