The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1951-01-19

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1T just happened, that's all. No
wonder you've been terrified with
an idea like that in your head. Why,
who on earth would want to harm a
nice kid like Anne? That's ridicu-
lous. Dorinda."
II suppose it is" she admitted.
MY imagination's too good, Cleve.
But things happen. That man Tay-
lor was killed-they thought that
was an accident, too, at first.
And Grandmother died" She
couldn't tell him about the rose
colored stain on Grandmother
pillow. He'd think that was ridicu-
lous, too. AS Edward had.
He put his hands on her shoulders
and shook her gently. Wake up,
honey. You look as if you were a
million miles away from me. You
know what happened to Anne was
simply one Of those unaccountable
accidents. don't your"
Dorinda's forehead was puckered.
If she could only remember-She
rubbed her hand across her eyes.
II think know. Cleve. I'm
little dazed yet, that's all"
Her eyes slid past him. ''Oh,
Harriet" she said blankly.
Harriet stood in the doorway, her
gray eyes dull, her sallow face
wrinkled as if she had been asleep.
Are you and Cleve here alone?"
she asked, stiffly disappearing.
Aunt Harriet, have you been
here all the time? Were you walk
ing along the upstairs ha1?" Do
rinda demanded.
1--WE been here several hours. I
was asleep most Of the time" She
added primly, Il went out into the
hall once. Lana'd left the bath
room door fastened on my side and
I had to 60 outside and through her
room"
Dorinda gave a brittle little laugh.
That showed what a hysterical
fool she was-working herself into
a panic Of fear because she'd heard
footsteps in a house supposedly
empty. And all the time it was
only poor harmless Harriet!
But / thought you were at the
Red Cross" she insisted.
Harriet's weak mouth frightened
into stubborn lines. II didn't like
it there. l didn't know any of the
women, so I only stayed a little
while. l walked home"
She came closer to Dorinda, look
ing curiously into her tear-stained
face. you've been crying" Alarm
kindled in her eyes. 'Lana-noth.
ing's happened to Lanai"
mo, no." Cleve assured her
''But there's been an accident"
He told her, briefly. THE sheriffs
down there now" His attention
came back to Dorinda. II wish
you didn't have to talk to Poole
about it today But he'll want to
ask questions. After all, you saw
it happen-I wish you hadn't-and
he'll want you to tell him about it.
Charlie Poole? He's coming
here to ask questions?" Harriet
rubbed the tip of her narrow nose.
The news of Anne's death did not
seem to disturb her greatly. She
didn't know Anne, her detached
attitude said. The girl meant moth
ing to her. II haven't talked to
Charlie Poole for a long time" she
went on in pleased voice.
"Oh, you know him?" Dorinda's
interest was caught by Harriet'S
tone.
''Of course know him. We went
through high school together. We
were-quite good friends. Charlie
was planning to 60 through college
and law school. But his father
died quite suddenly. There wasn't
much money left and Charlie had
his mother and that bunch of sisters
on his hands," She gave the red
dened tip of her nose a final rub.
Just about that time / met Hunt
Thorndyke who was here visiting
his brother and we got married and
went away" She sighed. 81 al
ways thought if Charles father
hadn't died so soon"
Cleve broke into her remi-
niscences, his voice deepened to
warning note. They're coming.
Poole and DR.. Hanlon. Buck UP,
Kinda"
She told Poole what had hap
pened, her voice faltering at the
end. Her eyes were tight little fists
in her lap.
''You saw the boulder as it
started dow M" Poole asked.
"You didn't see anything else?
There was nothing. no one. no other
movement at the top Of the bluff"
mo. No one. But there was
something-I can't remember"
She put her hands over her eyes,
living all over again that moment
when she had seen Anne die. Her
hands dropped into her Ian. s'I