The Wilmington morning star., 1947-09-04

ms' b,lndred in population, a typi-
I'VE n,au deep south county seat.
"a we're several paved blocks
1hsa o,nding the square where a
,uuatsderate soldier stood eternal
Con- euard. The turf around the
y" was trodden down into
nua.' that crossed it at four an
raus Facing it on four sides were
geo. "business blocks" and the
ne sts around these blocks were
.sickly crowded.
u. No. sian that proclaimed the five
sula d;me stores; there were two
'h +nre, representatives Of we'll
chain groceries, a bank,
n .ao beauty shops, several feed
WV srain stores, several filling
na and three dusty, I'M
S ssssd windows behind which
sas.SG we're bright-colored posters
hsa e,ncing the three most popu-
makes of low-priced cars.
was one drygoods store, its
r nsdows filled with bolts Of dress
Sp Ss resdy-made dresses for
Iuvn and children, shoes and
s~.shold essentials. There were
so drusstores and several small
we're parked against the
.'rb 10 that Greg had difficulty
tn nG a space in front of the post
0l" "This will have 10 be all right"
told them firmly. "Unless
ovid like me to so farther out"
' vr this is fine" answered
r,ts and Charles, as they climb
>. 49, MT "You children run along
ud ave fun and we'll all meet
h,ok here by four-thirty."
ives. ma'am," said Greg, and
.n;lsd down at her effectionately.
charles said quickly, Gail,
.aiek, I'm sorry. I Forgot to give
YOU any money"
Calls face burned beneath the
link she knew would be in Greg's
.ves. but said almost b%rusquely,
"Why should you? I have plenty"
"Tu bet" murmured Greg I'M
pleasantly.
sure" asked Charles pater-
..,lI, nTnere NAV be things you'll
want to buy"
~ brought $40 with me- Gail
told him, anxious to silence him
before Greg said something aloud
Mat she would have TO answer
and that might precipitate the
spanking row she knew was in
.vitable between them sooner or
later.
Norah gasped and sazed at her.
wide-eyed.
Ten dollars? My stars, Uncle
j Charles, she's a bloated pluto
crat! She could buy out any shop
in town with that much money!"
Sac laughed and tucked her hand
through Calls arm and said,
Come on. I want a soda-the big
Sest, coolest soda ever built, with
at least two scoops of ice cream"
why not have two? I could use
5go-and it's my treat" said Gail
lightly.
We'll, should hope So" Norah
accepted gaily, and thrust her 9th
er hand through Greg's arm,
drawing him along with them.
Maybe the drug store will be
serving banana splits this after
aoon-could bel"
The drug store was filled to the
Drim, it seemed to Gail. Farmers
in clean overalls Or khaki work
pants and shirts, high school boys
and girls. plump housewives arm
I'd with large baskets and usually
lowing II Or more small chill
dren by the hand, were crowded
about the fountain, where the
druggist and " perspiring
youths were struggling to meet
the demand for ice cream cones,
cokes and sodas.
There were some tables at the
back Of the room, but these, too,
WsR taken. But Norah and Greg,
drawing Gail with them, moved
purposefully through the crowd to-
ward the tables. They were greet
90 rom every table, and at the
PACK where two tables had been
ofa"n together, and where eight
Young people already sat, voices
slalnored for them.
Hi, you're late" called a pref
y girl in pink and white cham
pray. We've been here almost an
hour"
Sorry" apologized Moran, her
ace alght. but the fetch-taked-
M ole tobacco plants took long
man We thought"
Two Of the young men-Gail
caught the familiar shine of the
amy discharge button pinned to
melf ~shlrs-stood up, and as they
ssw Gail, there were low but dis
anet wolf calls.
Norah said lightly, 'We've got
c s.ilpn y to our house. Gang, meet
m %', Gall, meet the gang. Never
,n.4o ABOUT names-you'll get 'em
ssaso out gradually. This is the
ss.s greg and I train with, and
t o, De getting in your hair
NJ vi no" on, SO there']l be plenty
on.; @ine Tor you to become ac-
o'eo with their names"
ham, oIe Of the young men drew
bo,rs! as Chair with a flourish and
'yo vu 1ail into it, saying quickly,
Dow ian learn my name right
nm, Ffetty Thing. I'm Jabe Hol-
WsdD and I have Mondays,
posn sSaays and Friday evenings
n. nave you a suggestion?"
'p.ns olner said just as quickly,
,o,nt nm no mind, Gallon ac-
abont VI ne don't know nuthin'
guids ho'nln'' What you need is a
fsns 70 steer you clear of the pit
I'm VI ms ayeh country - and
plnt a ~. best dad-ratted guide
III , sssS Gail could answer, Nor
IT, wi SfApH,I--