SKENE CLIN0R4 BARRY ?r*. ihc w Fourth Installment SYNOPSIS When Joyce opened her eyes one morning to see " fruit-laden orange tree ron. .he end of the luxurious sker'i'K .l'"rct' 'v'K''.e, s e lav in bed *he couldn't decidc what had hap pened to her, for the last thin* she reme.n bcred whs a skidding taxicab m ChlcaKO on a sleeting November day. And when she s.tW the circlet of diamonds ?n j'er . ^ kIVus finger and when a man who called her lulls came to bid her an attectK.nate good-bye before leaving home for a hurried business trip, warning her to be careful after her fall from her hor>e the day before, she was even more puzzled. The gorgeous house that was evidently her home, the faint brown slams CO her lingers? she had never smoked? and ..ic initials on her toilet articles, 1*. L. f* added to her bewilderment, ilut? it s heavenly," she said. "I'd be oerpectly happy to spend a whole day right here. Who was tliis man? What did he expect from her? lie was older 'than Neil Packard, she realized? older, and wiser. His dark ryes had heavy, drooping lids ami his mouth a slightly one-sided twist to the mil lips. The nose was straight and clean cut, his chin narrow, while, like Neil, his face was evenly tanned, lie was dressed in K"lf togs and had :ui unmistakable air of smartness about him. ? "I called up while you, were asleep, he went on. pulling out a silver cigar ette case, "did Koxie tell you? ihis morning." Without taking his eyes from her. lie put two cigarettes between his i's and lighted them expertly, both from the same flapie. Extinguishing the match with a quifrk shake oi his hand, he offered her one of the cigarettes. From his automatic manner, it was plain that this was an accepted pro cedure. , ? "1 ... I don't care for any ? now, faltered lovce, making no move to take the cigarette and surreptitiously at tempting to push her chair fanner back, away from him. He was so close that it seemed to her he must be able to look right through her eyes and read her confused thoughts. "For Heaven's sake, Fr'lls. wlrats the matter? Better smoke; your nerves need steadying. How do you feel. "Well I have a headache, naturally . and I feel sort of shaken up." re plied love", dropping her eyes before his ardent aze. . . , ? "You're damn' tacky it s not worse, he remarked i-rcc fully. " .hat you need is a good suit drink right now, and I'm going K; give it to you. Out some real Canadian rye here, some Jake Town fend ffu; me." He drew out a large . silver flask, unscrewed and filled the | top and handed it to her. She accepted ft without protest, silently. Perhaps it would help steady her nerves. Raising the flask high in one hand, he placed his other hand on her knee, and pressing it with a sudden strong clasp that made her wince, lie exclaimed softly, "Here's to Frills, the most mar velous girl in the world!" Joyce smiled an embarrassed ac knowledgment and gulped the liquor down hastily. "Feel better?" he inquired, still watching her ctoscly. "Lord, r rills, was in a torment till I found out you ?weren't seriously hurt! If Neil doesn|t take Fire Queen away where you can't get at her, I'm going to do it myself. That beast ought to be killed, and you know it. If you weren't such a stubborn little devil, you'd admit it." Joyce now knew without doubt that this man was "Alait." His assured tone sent a tremor of apprehensive terror through her. "Did Neil get away this morning?" he asked, flicking ashes from his cig arette. "Oh, yes." "I was afraid he might cut out the trip on account of your accident, and do us out of our bit. You'll be all right to go with the crowd Wednesday?" Joyce's. heart sank. Go where? "Oh, no, I can't. . . . 1 . . . don't feel up to going anywhere. . . she answered quickly. Frank perplexity mingled with real alarrt* swe;>t over the man's face. "Ju das, you queer this morning ! Never knew you so quiet and ... so queer. Joyce was thinking desperately, "I must get rid of him. I can't stand much more of this sort of thing. . . 1 I've goj to do something quick. I'll make use of a little 'temperament,' I guess." She jumped to her feet and ex claimed, "Oh, let me alone 1 Can't you see I'm sick? Arid if you don't like it, you ran . . . you can . . ." she faltered, her ' urst of courage evaporating sud denly, and she turned toward the door, her one thought to escape. "I can go to hell," supplied Maitland. He laughed, without rancor, and looked relieved. "Fine ! That sounds more like you, darling." He followed her with long strides v Into the living room. Joyce, confident now that he understood he had been dismissed and was about to leave, turned and held out her hand to him. Instead of 'taking it, however, he came close to her and swept her; into his arms. "Listen, sweetheart! I'll come tonight ? up through the garden. . . ." Retween the rapidly muttered words, his kisses fell on her neck and face with scorching 'ouch and ardour. I Joyce was aghast to find she could llot strugglt free from his grip. I At last, her unresponsiveness and her feeble efforts to free kersclf seemed I to reach his consciousness. He lifted his head to gaze inquiringly at her. His ' eyes were humid; his handsome facc moist and flushed. "Let ine go!" gasped Joyce, taking advantage of his slightly relaxed hold I to pull her anus out from under his. j Putting her hands against his shoul j ikrs, she gave him such a suddenly violent push that she broke his hold, lie stared at her in blank amazement at the unexpected repulse, then a shad ow crossed his face. "Frills, some thing's happened to you. Has Neil? . . . It is Neil ? Tell me what it's all about !" , Joyce backed to the door, fighting Emery's familiarity with her affairs. She was glad that Roxie answered with obvious acidity, "No, ma'am." "I like Roxie," she decided grate fully. It all began to seem to Joyce like a species of fantastic game. How long could she hold off these unknown friencte? With the one> important ex ception ofMaitland, the points had so far been in her favor. With care and good hick she might continue to win, until there came the move which would require her utmost skill? the return of Neil 1 Packard. Her restlessness gradually became "Joyce was aghast to find she could not struggle free from his grip." for self-control. 'l.ct mc alone! Don't tniicli me . . . po away?" She was almost subbing. "Hnt, sweetheart. I ean't under-tand it. Don't you love me? What have I done ? Or is it Xeil? Has he been " ?? Without answering. Joyce fled up stairs. her knees trembling under her. The very force of her aversion, how ever, took ncr to the front window, and, peeping out from behind the cur tain, she watched Maitland getting into a long gray sport ruadster outside the door. He glanced up and saw her Joyce dodged back, angry at bavins been seen, but not before she caught the wide confident smile on bis face and the wave of Ijis hand toward her. Then she ran into the big bedroom and shut and locked the door. "Oh dear! What am 1 going to do? Well, next time I'll know enough to keep at a distance anil not give him a chance to grab me that way !" She was interrupted by a knock. At first, she decided to pay no attention. Then, merely to get away from her own disturbing thoughts, she hastily opened the door. Roxie stood there, holding out a yel low envelope. "Telegram for you, Mrs. Packard." "Oh? Oh, thank you," said Joyce taking it. When she had torn it open apprehensively, dreading to encounter further complications, Joyce read ? ?HOW ARE YOU PLEASE WIRE ME HOTEL BLACKSTONE LOVE NEIL. It Was evidently sent enroute for it was headed Sacramento. "He's much nicer than Mail!" she thought impulsively. \\ hat should she telegraph ? She sat down at the desk and considered. Then, picking up a pencil and scrap of paper, she finally wrote: "Every thing fine. Don't worry. Take care of yourself. Love. Frills." "I could use another word. That's only nine, and my thrifty New England soul does hate to waste anything. Shall I say 'Much Love'? I'll bet the telegram will be different enough, from what he ex pected -without that. Now, how does one send it? Telephone it? Or have the chauffeur, if there is one, attend to it?" She finally decided to telephone the message. Scarcely had she hung up the receiver than the bell rang. She listened in and heard as before Roxie's calm answer. c- ?1f,ru'!?\ R?x.ie- cat? . 1 speak to r rills? drawled a feminine voice. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Emery, but she gave orders she didn't feel up to an swering the 'phone today." "Is that right?" with an incredulous note in the voice. Look here, Roxie, go and tell her I'm on the wire, wili you? Ross and Ed and Ethel and I want to come over after dinner. . . ." Joyce shuddered. Ross and Ed and Ethel ! Whew ! Four new ones at a blow. Who were they? When Roxie appeared, Joyce said, Please tell Mrs. Emerv I have a headache and I don't feel like seeing any one for a day or two." She smiled with a touch of malice when she heard ? Mrs. Emery's remark to Roxie. "Say, Roxie, honest, did brills say that? Has Doc been in to day to see her? . . . Frills is sure sick when she won't see the gang." f Joyce set her lips indignantly at this further evidence of the unknown Mrs. more than mental. She found her hands moving nervously, the fingers rubbing together automatically, or picking up objects aimlessly. When she sat down it was impossible to keep h.r body still for more than a moment at a time. She realized a craving in her for some thing?without knowing wlwv' it was. When lioxie appeared to ask wheth er she wished dinner, she gave an affirmative answer, adding >hat she would like it served upstairs* .id that slie was not at home to any callers. "Excitement must make me hungry," thought Joyce later as she sat before the attractive dinner which Roxie brought to the boudoir and arranged on a small round table. "Anyhow I'm not so far gone with shock that I can't appreciate good food when I taste it." When the sun had disappeared dark ness came on rapidly ? not with the soft lingering of twilight in the East. Going out on the sleeping porch, Joyce caught her breath with delight at the brilliance of the stars in that clear deep blue velvet of the night sky. There seemed to l>e more than she had ever seen be fore, closer together and brighter. The entire sky was powdered with stars. She could plainly sec the scalloped line of the distant mountains against the firmament, and beyond the garden the blossoming fruit trees Spread a carpet of soft white, faintly shimmering in the starlight. Not a building, not an artificial light, emptiness spread around her like a pool of fathomless still wa er, lonely, awe-inspiring. Joyce sat there until she discov ered that the night air was actually cold, a surprising change from the hot sun of the daytime, and she re turned to the house. At ten-thirty Joyce was still so wide-awake that she had no de sire to go to bed, but a feeling of restlessness swept over her again, and she could no longer sit still in front of the fire. * It must be safe to go downstairs now. . . . Think I'll sneak out to the kitchen and look for something? to eat." She found the lower part of the house in total darkness, but remem bering the cubistic floor lamp just inside the living room door, she fum bled for it and successfully pulled the chain. This gave her light enough to find the kitchen. When_ she had finished eating, Joyce tried the back door and found it locked. Then, before she went up stairs again, she made the round of all the windows and doors on the lower floor. When she was in bed, Joyce lay tense for some time, nervously sure she would never go to sleep. She could not have lain awake long, for, when she woke to broad daylight, Joyce had no recollection of a sleep less vigil in the dark. She felt so much better that her courage went up with a sudden leap. There was a quality about the bril liant sunshine and clear air which sent a thrill of pleasurable excite ment through her. The prospect of the coming problems stimulated in stead of disheartening her. Today she would play the role of Mrs. Neil Packard more convincingly. . . . Continued Next Week , , ? - v < : NOTICE OF SALE OF LAND > Under and by virtue of the auth ority conferred by Deed of Trust executed by II. E. Buchanan and wife, Pearl Buchanan and I. 11. l'owell and wife, Bave Powell, dated the 15th day of October and recorded in Book 108 Page 415 et seq., in the off Uu: of .U'O Register of Deeds for Jackson County, Jefferson K. Owens. N Pnbstituted. Trustee, will, at twelve (Vclock noon on Wednesday, August t 2.'lroles to a chestnut, Wat son's corner; thence South 45 East, 17 poles to a stake in the road; thence with the road N. 80 E., 48 poles to a stake; thence with the road, S. 7714 20 poles to a stake; thence still with the road, X. 69 E., 18 poles to a stake, in the line of 430; thence with the line of said number N. 69 poles to a stake, comer of said grant; thence S. 50 E. to the cliff; thence with the cliff to J. R. Wiggins' line, thence with said line to a white oak, J. R. Wiggins' corner; thence N. 55 W., with Wiggins' line 27% poles to a Spanish oak, Henry Bryson's line; . thence with Henry Brv son's line 68 j?oles to a locust; from locust 40 poles to a stake; thence 35 poles to the beginning, containing 40 acres more or less. Said deed of trust is recorded in Book 116, page 75 in the office of the register of deeds for Jackson county, to which record reference is hereby had for a complete descrip 'ion. This July 13, 1933. J. T. Cunningham, substituted trustee 7 13 4t NOTICE ! North Carolina, Jackson County. ^ I Frank Rhineharb, do hereby en ter and claim two (2) acres, more or less, of land lying and being in Webster Township, Jackson County, North Carolina on the waters of Big Savannah Crock. All that land lying between the lines of Ida Rhinchart, Emma Dills and John Still well. This land lying above the tenant house No. 4 of Ida Rhinehart. Entered this 30th day of June, 1933. FRANK RHINEHART, July 6-4t. Claimant. NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOE PARDON OE PAROLE Notice is hereby given that the un dersigned Carl Sheppardy conviced at the October term, 1931, Jackson County Superior Court of the crime of receiving stolen goods and sentenc ed to serve two years in the State penitentiary, will make applicaion to the Governor of North Carolina for a pardon or parole from such sentence This Jiiiv 17, 1933. Carl Sheppard NOTICE Anyone interested in buying or renting a real good large t farm on a cash basis see ? C. J. MOONEY 1 J Mm ?/???, i,; STATEMENT AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY ST. LOUIS, MO. Condition December 31, 1932, As Shown By Statement Filo,i Vmount of Capital paid up in cash \mbunt of Ledger Assets December 31st of previous year , , t(|] Income ? From Policyholders, .$5,270,102.87 Miscellaneous, $474,300.78; Total 1 Disbursements ? To Policyholders, $3,531, i>(i4>.-J3 , Miscellaneous, $.3,044,344.42; Total _ ASSETS Value of Bonds and Stocks ? Cash in Company's Office Deposits in Trust Companies and Hanks not tin interest Dc]>osits in Trust Companies and Hanks on iuteivst Premiums in course of Collection - - _ ' t Interest and Kents due and accrued All other Assets, as detailed in .statement Total Less Assets not admitted Total admitted Assets LIABILITIES Unpaid Claims Expense, Investigation, end Adjustment ol ( laims , Unearned Premiums Commission, Brokerage, and other charges due : Salaries, Rents, Expenses, Hills, Accounts, Fees, etc., due er accrued -- Estimated amount for Federal, Slate, comity, itsrl iHiniei|wi taxes - s ; , .. All other liabilities, as detailed in stalenient ? Total amount of all Liabilities except Capital ,'apital paid up ?; Total Liabilities n BUSINESS TN NORTH CAROLINA DURINo |>? :j Premiums Received ? Auto Liability " Losses paid ? Auto Liability ? -.n,.,, Premiums Received ? Auto properly damage ] .,,s Losses paid ? Auto property dainege , ,, , Premiums Received ? Auto collision Losses paid ? Auto collision Totals ? Premiums Received ? 27.101; |.c> |?.,id in. *, : President ? L. A. Harris Secretary P. I! | ; , ... Home Office, Pierce Bldg., St. Louis, ^lo. Attorney for service: Dan C. Honey, Insurance Coii!tni>>i 1!,.!. i- |(. \ i Manager for North Carolina, Home Officii. STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. (Seal) : INSURANCE HKPAimil-AT Ualeisrli, A/nil i'Hili. Ian I, DAN C. HONEY, Insui ?ance Commissioner, In l? ivliv wrtit'y thai ?/?? above is a true and correct abstract of the >t;rtcn cni o ?' Tin- i\ni?-ii?-:r Automobile Insurance Company, of St. Louis, M<>.. Iile.1 with tin I). i>."' ment, showing the condition of said Companv >i ilay i>t I n.l?. i 1932. Witness mv hand and official seal, the dav and t'./iit sibow ttriiiiji. DAN C. BONEV, In >u ranee a iiiiniii?)<>iii r. STATEMENT NORTH AMERICAN REASSURANCE COMPANY NEW YORK CITY Condition December 31, 1932, As Shown By Statement Filed Amount of Capital paid. up in cash ? Amount of Ledger Assets December -*il st of previous yee.r ? I < .? 1 ? !?< Premium Income, #2,015,005.33; Jliscelhneous, .fo IS, 039.00 Total '.'ill'"' DisburseiueJits ? To Policyholders, 1 ,44:"?.07 ; Miscellaneous, $901,552.23; Total i LVd. . Business written during year ? Xo. of Policies 0,313; Amount "2 1 ,h?mi ?>?? Business in force at end of year ? No. of Policies 23,202; Amt. I? I,o_n,s!">.l< l."? Cash ---x. -- :s: VV!'" Total >| I, (177, J" Less Assets not admitted f L.M.I l!'1'" Interest and Rents due ;ind accrued Premiums uncollected and deferred All other Assets, as detailed, in statement Total admitted Assets LIABILITIES .*13,7!IO.U!>n Xet Reserve, including Disability Provision - --- ? -to: Policy ?Claims ^ ? Premiums paid itii advance , __ ^ Estimated Amount payable for Federal State, and other Taxes AH other Liabilities, as detailed in statement ? Total amount of all Liabilities, except Capital Capital paid up is Cash $1,000, (KM) .00 Unassigncd funds (sur]>lus) f>48, 070.1!) $ i,<; h.'?> i ' Total Liabilities L - BUSINESS IX NORTH CAROLINA DURIXO I9:t2 Xo. Amount , Policies on the lives of citizens of said State in force December 31st of previous year 612 Policies on the lives of citizens of said State is sued during the year - 334 H7I. Total 1 ? - 940 .*'..1 1'V"" Deduct ceased to be in force during the veer - 43H !. >' ? Policies in force December 31st 500 jf.i.Onl..' Losses and Claims incurred during year # 4 J ? I - "i ?I*M? Total k Losses and Claims settled, during the year, in full 7 Losses and Claims unpaid December 31st 1 Premium Income ? Ordinary President and Treasurer, Lawrence M. Cathes Secretary, Win. IT. Actuary, .T. W. Thomson Home Office 250 Park Ave., New York City. Attorney for Service: Dan C. Boney, Insurance Commissioner Raleigh. N 1 Manager for North Carolina, Home Office STATE OF XORTH CAROLINA.