The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-18
SYNOPSIS
eop,ishL Is<e. By ko.amsnd o. ia, din
Distributed BY King feofvr-. syodnsis

Young Sherry X e n t refuses to
lorego the pleasure of a weekend
at tae farm OF Steve Jeffrey, be-
loved family friend, even though
Ter mother. Leda, and sister, Val,
rave changed their plans abou.
,olng. Leda, attractive widow and
nighlv successful business woman,
is dining with Roger Bedloe, vice
president of her firm, and Va
with wealthy Wade Darlington.
with whom she is trying 10 for
get her hearthreak over the death
II action OF her fiance, Rick
Colby. V al is tormented by the
knowledge that had it. not been
TOR Leda's opposition. she and
Rick would have married before
ne went overseas. Alighting from
the train at Brundage, Sherry
spies Steve's station wagon park
ed nearby and climbs in to wait
o him. To her surprise, attrac-
tive Lex MoreI, who introduces
himself as Steve's hired man,
takes the wheel. Lex had been in
the brokerage business before the
war, and upon his release from
the Army had decided to get
some practical experience before
investing in a farm of his own.
Warm-hearted, elderly Aunt Pen.
who keeps house for Steve, greets
Sherry joyously. Later, when
Steve, arrived, and all had con
sumed Aunt Pens delicious
dinner, a strange feeling of happi-
ness stole over Sherry. She knew
instantly her meeting with Lex
was responsible. Her happiness, is
short lived. however, when Steve
tells her Lex is engaged to be
married. Lex was troubled, Steve
added. because fjance was
opposed to him buying a farm.
CHAPTER NINE
Not until she was in bed, with
the covers pulled tightly under
her chin, did Sherry let the full
force Of her disappointment over
Lex Morell break upon her The
strong pull of his personality o.
hers had meant nothing. He was
in love with another girl. This
was a fact She must face, must
force herself to accept at the
beginning OF her association with
Lex. Otherwise, only unhappiness
could lie ahead for her.
But we can be friends. Sherry
told herself. l think Lex likes me.
| know l like him. And friendship
will be SO much better. than never
having got to know him at all.
Friendship will be enough. Know
ing the truth, l can make it be
enough, because l won't expect
anything more. And so l won't be
disappointed.
She forced herself then to think
OF other things. Of her father and
the clearer conception of him
Steve had given her. Of Aunt
PENS fingers, drifting across the
keyboard, bringing old songs t.
life to create a mood OF quiet
enchantment.
At last Sherry slept, dreamless
ly, like a child. her young face
open and lovely in a bar of moon
light. And il she had wept, the
tears were soon dry on her lashes.
Some sound awakened her, a
small sound. For a moment
Sherry couldn't identify it. She
lay there, her eyes wide and
questioning in the darkness.
1t sounded TX footsteps. Yes,
that was it-someone walking.
quietly back and forth. back and
forth. Suddenly, as all sleep
dulled faculties quickened, Sherry
knew who it was.
She reached out and turned or
the lamp on the small table be
side her bed. Her eyes, when they
had grown accustomed to the frs
shock of brightness, sought the
clock on the dresser. Twe1ve-flf
teen Less than two hours since
they had all retired. So much o.
| the night remained. And Steve
| wouldn't hear Lex-Steve slep
like a log. Nor Aunt Pen, whose
room was too far away.
With sudden decision, Sherr!
reached for her red flannel robe
Sitting in bed. she put it On ane
buttoned it with steady fingers
tied the narrow belt. She thrus
her feet into the furry red scuff:
on, the floor beside the bed, Their
stood up and crossed the room
quickly and let herself out int
the dark, familiar hall. Light
emerging through the half-ope:
door of her room. illumined it te
some extent. A pencil-thin slice O.
/ brightness. showed beneath Lex
door. Hesitating for a moment
Sherry let her knuckles just brush
the panel.
Immediately the footsteps
stopped, then approached the
door slowly. 1t opened and Lex
stood there, a dark corduro,
robe over his pajamas, his brown
hair falling in a little-boy shocs
across his forehead. His blue eyes
videned a little in surprise al
sight Of her.
"Can't you sleep?" she asked
her little grin conspiratorial.
Lex shook his head. I'm sorry
if -
Sherry broke in. whispering, 81
can't sleep, either. Let's go down
to the kitchen and have a snack
something hot. That helps some
times"
She turned and started down the
hall and there was nothing he
could do but follow. She was sen
sitively aware that he felt some
resentment at her interference.
They descended the stairs word
lessly and Sherry ~witched on
Ii ohtc as thew uent Tho bio hitch.