The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1951-02-23

about It'll"
'I'n have to ask" she began.
you'll have to ask Uncle Ed
ward" he Knocked. IN ask him
myself. Your pretty nurse tells
me he's not in so I'll telephone
him later in the day. But get your
grip packed for I'm taking you
home with me after the inquest to-
morrow"
After the inquest. After the in
quest tomorrow she'd be on her
way to Los Angeles. She couldn't
tell Cleve that, though.
Edward did not come home until
late in the afternoon. He ignored
his previous request for a talk with
her. But she didn't care, she had
no desire to see him now.
She went to her room early that,
night. Carrie came in with her
hot milk at nine o'clock. There
was bond between herself and
the maid, Dorinda felt.
But tonight, to Dorinda's surprise,
Carries eyes avoided hers. She
fidgeted uneasily and seemed anx-
ious to leave. But she stopped on
her way out, her big hand grasp
ing the door knob, and said
strangely, II try to do what I
thinks right, Miss. I hope you,
won't hold anything against me. All
wants for you to be safe"
She was gone before Dorinda
could ask what she meant.
The black hands of the clock
moved inexorably onward. At
twelve she put down her book.
Surely danger was safely locked
out tonight. Perhaps she could
sleep. But just as she united the
blue robe, low tapping sounded
at the door.
Dorinda stood motionless, cold
with fright. who's there?" she
faltered, and felt herself relax as
Carol called softly. Let me in.
Quick, Dorinda. I've got to talk
to you"
She pushed against the panels as
Dorinda turned the key in the lock
as if she could not wait for the
click of the latch. She came in
side swiftly, shut the door behind
her and leaned back against it. She
wore . dark coat and hat and had
black scarf tied about her hair. Her
face was very pale.
''Dorinda," she said, her tone
low in spite Of its harshness. II
was wrong. There is something
queer going on in this house. You're
getting out of here now, tonight.
And I'm going with you'll"
Dorinda backed away until the
foot of the bed stopped her.
mo-" she whispered thickly.
''No." She put her hand against
her throat, feeling fear an icy
trickle along her spine.
st tell you I know what I'm
talking about" Urgency was. be-
hind the tones Carol tried to make
even. Get hold of yourself: You
can't 60 to pieces now" She came
close to the girl, her fingers biting
into the flesh beneath the sleeve Of
the blue robe. She shook Dorinda
roughly.
This may mean your life. You
can't-just give up. You've got to
get dressed and get away from this
house" Carols face, not more
than a foot away, was set in stiff
planes. Her black eyes were grim
and narrow.
"Rut, Carol, why-who-?"
There's no time to talk about it
now. We've got to hurry, hurry"
The nurse emphasized her words
with another shake. Come on,
dear, dress. I'll help you"
1T isn't real" Dorinda thought
She tried to hurry but her fingers
were slow and fumbling. ITS
only a dream, a horrible dream.
I'll wake up SOON"
She didn't wake. She was
dressed, the heavy coat buttoned
about her.
Carols hand on her arm urged
her on. They were at the front
door. Carol unfastened the chain
and turned the key slowly and care
fully.
The moonlight lay like silver frost
across the grass, turning their i'm
mediate world into a black and
white theatrical scene devoid Of
depth or color. Carols face was
a featureless silvery oval.
The garage is so far from the
house no one will hear u.s." she
said. She breathed hard as she
slid the wide door upward. 1--WE
got the extra car keys. Your
uncle keeps them in the drawer Of
the hall table,"
She looked over her shoulder to-
ward the house. Dorinda's eyes
followed hers. When they had first
come into the moonlight, Dorinda
had looked up at the south wall OF
and thought I'd read for while.