The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1952-10-17
Grace Blake Makes
An Important Decision


sionally in her eagerness to find
him and atone for her neglect.
Where was the boathouse he had
spoken Of? She could see nothing,
nothing but the river and level pas
ture land stretching away on both
sides from the road.
The chill had crept in under her
cloak and uniform and was prick
ling the flesh on her arms. Her hair
was wet. Her feet in her white shoes
felt numb and cold
With set face Grace Blake
snapped off the radio and walked
to the telephone. Her pride suffered
as she dialed a number but she
stood resolutely by the telephone
waiting for an answer.
Grace had refused to attend the
game because she felt that Leonard
wasn't yet in a condition to play
football. She had expressed that
opinion to Harry. He had said Leon
ard was perfectly well and then
Grace had learned, through some
thing he had let slip, that Harry was
betting on the game. She had been
Mortified. AL afternoon she had sat
behind the closed door of her bed
room listening to the radio account
Of the game.
Little by little, as she listened,
Grace's former thinking self
began to show itself, much as the
sun would slowly emerge from an
eclipse. Then notice came over the
air of Leonard's injury and Grace
knew, beyond question, that she had
come to parting of the ways with
Harry.
He could 60 to Hollywood, and
welcome, she told herself.
Hello" said a woman'S voice
family.
"Alice, this is Grace. Did you 20
to the gamer"
Eyes, Grace" Alice's gentle voice
quavered, but we came home right
after they carried Leonard from the
field. We couldn't remain there after
that"
Naturally not" Grace held so
tightly to the receiver that her
knuckles showed white. Have you
any idea where the poor boy isl"
mo, but George is out search
ing" Alice's voice trailed off. There
was sound Of sniff as if she had
paused to wipe her eyes. "Dr. Smith
is with George" she went on, after
moment. THE Smiths were at the
game with US. Effie's here with me
now. We've been attempting to
cheer ourselves up with a cup of
tea. wish you were here with US,
Grace. 1t would be like old times"
Alice's voice broke.
eyes, it would, Alice" Grace's
eyes were moving around her bed
room which was Harry's bedroom
as well. Mentally, she was cleaning
house, removing every article that
was Harry's or had anything to do
with him; the easel-framed photo
graph Of him on her dressing table,
the musical powder box he had
bought her with her money, his sill
ver-backed military brushes. the
suits that hung in his closet, his
shoes, his striped underwear, his
gCudy neckties, his toilet articles.
Alice said, Hello, are you still
there, Grace?" Grace squared her
shoulders. Eyes, I'm here. I was
thinking. Alice, you tell George
want Harry relieved of his duties as
team physician. Tell George to use
his influence to get Scott Kenyon
back. Will you do that?"
Alice's voice trembled along the
wire.
''Oh, yes, Grace! Yes, l will"
Eat once" commanded Grace
"Just as soon as he gets in. Give
Fife my love. Good-by, Alice"
Grace hung up and dropped limp
ly into a chair. AS soon as she
stopped trembling, she'd take her
car and 60 out to hunt for Leonard
herself. She had always been fond
of the boy. She could see him sitting
at her dinner table, so proper and
courteous, stealing quick, sidelong
glances to see which fork or spoon
she was going to use. She remem-
bered that he had always thanked
her for his dinner, saying the same
thing each time. tits treat after
the boarding house." A tear moved
slowly down Grace's painted cheek
(To Do ToofipraJN