The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1951-02-16

hit your head against the bedpost.
You were lying right under it,
II didn't stumble. There was
someone in the room. The light
wouldn't go on and when started
back to the hall, was struck on
the head"
Carols hand went to her face.
''Who was it," she asked, her eyes
wide.
IT don't know. couldn't see any
thing"
but are you sure, Dorinda? The
light bulb was loose. But such a
little, not more than a quarter turn.
AS if it might have Jared loose
gradually. And the rug was turned
up as if you'd tripped. If you didn't
see anyone"
81 know there was someone in
here. didn't see him. didn't hear
a sound even. But I didn't stumble,
I'm sure Of that.
Carols eyelids dropped, hiding
the doubt in her eyes. "Of course,
if you say so, Dorinda," she
soothed.
Lying there, unable to sleep, her
eyes closed against the glow Of the
lamp, she made up her mind. 'T
won't 60 on like this" she
promised herself "It's too
m C h. I've got to admit it -
someone wants to get rid Of me.
That boulder that killed Anne. :.
But Randy, why would anyone take
Randy" She stretched out her
hand as if she still might touch
the rough coat of the small dog that
had slept at the foot of the bed.
She had expected to make her an
nouncement at breakfast, counting
on the probability that Harriet and
Lana would not be downstairs so
early, but she had forgotten the
lawyer who would be there. Lee
Morrow was with Edward and Fay
when she went downstairs. The
three of them were just coming
out of the living room when she
reached the lower hall.
Edward shot quick glance at her
as she joined them. Something in
her appearance seemed to puzzle
him and he frowned briefly. But
he only said smoothly, II didn't
expect you so early, my dear. It
must have been quite late when you
came in" One white hand pressed
back his dark hair. ''Dorinda, this
is Mr.. Morrow, my mothers attor-
ney, of whom you have heard me
speak. He arrived last night
Morrow smiled, revealing a row
of even white teeth. He was in his
middle forties, small and plump,
with a round, almost babyish face
belied by the keen gray-blue eyes
behind horn-rimmed glasses. He
possessed an air of almost meticu-
lous neatness. Dorinda, returning
his scrutiny with interest, decided
that hair out Of place or a speck
of lint on his well-tailored suit
would be major catastrophe in
his estimation.
$50 this is Miss LaCroix." He
held her hand lingeringly, his eyes
upon her face. II regret it has not
been possible for us to meet before.
1 trust you and I will find it agree
able to continue" He broke off
sharply as Edward lurched against
him.
Edwards face was red with yea.
alton. Pm sorry, Morrow, / turned
my ankle" he explained shortly.
Suppose we go in to breakfast"
His smile was a forced one. Il must
admit I'm not really human until
I've had my coffee"
Breakfast ended at last. Morrow
stood, his hand touching the back
of his chair, his white-toothed smile
upon each one in turn. II think it
advisable to attend to the business
at hand as soon as we can," he de-
clared. IF you yourselves and the
servants can be in the living room,
in say, fifteen minutes" He raised
his broWs inquiringly at Fay, who
bent her head.
Fay will attend to it," Edward
said hurriedly. In the meantime,
Dorinda, I'd like a word with you.
Will you come into my study?"
The girl assented quickly. It APP
peared Edward had sensed her de-
sire to talk to him.
Morrow's voice claimed her at
tention again. I'm fifteen minutes
then" He looked down at his wrist
watch, shook his head as if to see
more clearly. His, smile was gone
now. His round face had lost its
healthy color and become pinched
and white.
Harriet appeared at the door of
the breakfast room. She wore
frilled blouse and dark skirt. The
crooked buttoning Of her waist, the
wisps of faded hair escaping its
,1inc ehn,t,ad i, ,,,I, ~ hee4o eho -