CHAPTER I
They were hurrying this morning,
those of them who were snatching
their twentyfour hours' leave. It
didn't come very often ? only once
in every fourteen days. That was
why they had lo make the most of
jt. They worked hard ? harder,
they often thought, than many
of the giris ;n the Waafs. They
were plotter.-^? girls who had enlist
ed for "special duties" in the most
interesting branch of the service
where they were right in the thick
of it alL In the Operations rooms
they needed to use their bruins arid
needed to have plenty to use, too.
Cherry Tyccreft had plenty. She
was quick as lightning, small, with
?lark hair and blue eyes, vital, alive,
full of restless energy. She was
breaking her neck now to catch the
cne-thirty to town instead of hitch
hiking with the others. This was a
grand and most economical way of
getting to the city, and a girl in
uniform could always get a lift.
Hut today Cherry wasn't trusting
to any chance way of getting to
London. Denise expected her at the
apartment as soon as she arrived.
And :t had been a long time since
she'd seen rvcr or heard any news
of Simon, Denise's husband. Simon
had gone to America with the Wat |
Purchasing Commission, but Denise j
had said in her last letter: "Simon ?
will be back any day new. Jt seems
quite incredible to think he's been
gone nearly six months. The time
has simply flown. But I suppose
that's because I've been enjoying
myself."
Cherry, giving her uniform a
quick, hard brush, wondered anx
iously just how well Denise had en
joyed herself. She's wished she had
kept in closer touch with her, though
it wasn't easy now that she was
working so hard. When Simon had
left she had consented willingly to
stay at the apartment with Denise,
who firmly refused to follow Si
mon's wishes that she live outside
London while he was gone. Then
the unexpected had happened.
Madame Kayden. Cherry's boss,
had suddenly closed her shop. She
hated sacking Cherry but there was
nothing else to do.
Cherry had said that night to
Denise. "I don't fee! like taking an
other civilian job, Denise I'm aw
fully tempted to join one of the
women's services. Tne Waais are
advertising for girls for 'special du
ties.' If it wouldn't mean letting you
down ..."
Denise had answered that, if
Cherry felt that way, of course she
must do her duty to her king and
country. She'd be perfectly all
right. Only the other day Sandy
Drake, a friend, had said how much
she would like to share the apart
ment with her.
"But what about Simon, dar
ling?" Cherry had objected. "I said
I'd look after you for him."
Denise had laughed lightly at this
and added, a trifle tartly, that she
was perfectly capable of looking
after hersc-lf "You go and be a
Waaf, my pet. You'll look positively
Legal Notices
NOTICE
North Carolina, Watauga Count?:
in the Superior Court.
Mary Elinor Von Cannon
vs. John H. Von Cannon.
The defendant, John H. VonCan
non, will take notice that an action
as above e/ititled has been com
menced in the Superior Court of
Watauga County to secure ari ab
solute divorce; and the said defend
ant will further take notice that he
is required to appear at the office
of the Clerk of the Superior Court
in Boone, N. C., within thirty days
after publication of this notice and
answer or demur to the complaint
ir> said action, or the plaintiff will
apply to the court for the relief de
manded in the complaint.
This 27th day of March', 1944.
A. E. SOUTH,
Clerk Superior Court, Watauga
County. 3-30-4B
NOTICE ? JbHS
State of North Carolina, ; Watauga
County; Office of Entry Taker
for Said County ? No. 2596.
Albert Presnell locates and enters
25 acres of land in Laurel Creek
township on the waters of Pond
Creek in said county, beginning on
a laurel bush on a rock in -a small
branch, near a large branch, near
one or two birches, and a small hem
lock, marked as witnesses; south
157 V4 poles, crossing one creek to
a stake in the old beach road, ad
joining the Mount Bros, land, to a
cherry; thence north 85 poles to a
sugar maple, and various courses so
as to include all the vacant land in
said boundary for complement.
Entered March 20, 1944.
MRS. H. J. HARDIN,
3-23-4p Entry Taker.
NOTICE
North Carolina, Watauga County; in
the Superior Court.
Lena M. Day vs. Walter N. Day.
The defendant, Walter N. Day,
will take notice that an action en
titled as above has been commenced
in the Superior Court of Watauga
County to secure an absolute di
vorce; and the said defendant will
further take notice that he is re
quired to appear at the office of the
Clerk of the Superior court in Boone,
N. C., within 30 days after publi
cation of this notice and answer or
demur to the complaint in said ac
tion ,or the plaintiff will apply to
the court for the relief demanded in
the complaint.
This 27th day of March, 1941.
A. E. SOUTH,
Clerk Superior Court, Watauga
County. 3-30-4B
stunning in that Air Force blue uni
form.
Which hadn't, though Cherry had
never been able to make Denise be
lieve it, had anything to do with her
reason for joining the service. It
was true she felt a thrill of satisfac
tion the first day she'd seen herself
in uniform. But that was trivial
What, counted was her deep inner
satisfaction. Right from the out
break of the war she had been dis
satisfied with her civilian job. She
was young? twenty-three her next
birthday ? strong ? without responsi
bilities. It was only right that she
should be doinc her bit. So she
had loft Denise's comfortable flat
to begin a fortnight's disiplinary
training at a big ramp just outside
London. Life had suddenly become
so different! With Denise she had
enjoyed every comfort. At the
CUtDp . .
Sometimes she wished she had
waited and joined up in the sum
mer Getting up at six o'clock on
a raw winter's morning, lighting
fires, cleaning the hut in which she
slept with a dozen other g'rls, drill
ing, going on route marches, eating
unpalatable food from a bare table, 1
never, il would seem, having any
rest ? all this certainly brought out '
the toughness in a girl, a toughness I
Cherry had never believed she pes- ]
sessed. H had done her good. Later
she had been posted to an airdrome
well drilled in the fact that an of
ficer's word was law and no Waaf
ever answered back.
She. felt now as if she had beer,
in service all her lite. She was
quite at home on the station, usee
to answering to her surname, popu
lar among the other Wsafs. And
most important, she no longei
thought quite so often of Simon.
But how difficult it had been!
Traveling to town, Cherry went
back over the last three years, re
membering the firs' time she had
seen him. She had been walking
across Hampstead Heath on a
warm Sunday in spring. She had
tripped and hurt her ankle and he'd
taken her home in a taxi When
he said goodbye, he hud said, j
"Couldn't we meet again some- i
time?"
For Cherry that tiad beep Ihe be
ginning. Tnere was something about
him, the way he looked and spoke,
that she had been unable to put into
words even to herself. But her heart
turned over and her pulses quicken
ed whenever he was near her, and
biie had known ? almost with a sense
of foreboding, which she was to
learn later had certainly been justi
fied ? that there could never be any
other man for her.
At the time she ana Denise had
been shnring an apartment. Denise
had been a much sought after pho
tographer's model. Her lovely face
smiled at you from billboards. From
magazine advertisements and news
papers, too.
Denise had been away when Cher
ry had 'met Simon. When she re
turned. Cherry said. "I've met rath
er a nice man while you've been out
of town He's coming around this
evening. Iiis name's Simon Lin
don?"
"Shall I like him?" Denise had
asked.
"I'm sure you will. No one could
help it."
Denise had liked him so much
ftiat within six weeks she had mar
ried him. From the very first mo
ment they met Cherry had known
it was going to happen. She didn't
blame Denise. It wasn't her fault
that she was so beautiful that every
man she met fell in love with her.
It wasn't as if she. Cherry, had
even given her a hint as to how she
herself felt about Simon. If she's
said, perhaps, before they met,
"Please, darling, even if you do like
him, leave him. for me. After all,
I found him first. You have so
many other men. And, you see,
I've fallen in love with him."
If she had only said something
like this, then everything would
have been different. And yet . . .
No, she didn't really think so, be
cause Denise would still no doubt
have waited Simon and Denise al
ways got what she wanted. So
Cherry had said nothing, just taken
herself in hand and shut her heart
against him. What else could she
do without letting Denise know how I
much she loved him? Her only
prayer had been that the other girl
would make him happy.
Hurrying from the station to the
Lindons' apartment. Cherry hoped
that Denise would make Simon's re
turn a welcome one after their six
months separation. She must sure
ly be longing to see him again.
Connie, Denise's maid, opened the
door to her. "Madam's in her room,
Miss Cherry."
Denise's voice floated across the
hall. "That you, Cherry? Come on
in. I was hoping you'd be here
soon. There are one or two things
I want you to do for me."
Cherry was amazed at the con
fusion in Denise's charming bed
room. "Packing?" she asked stupid
ly.
"Yes." Denise bent her head
low over a drawer and flung out a
heap of silk undies.
"What's happening?" asked Cher
ry
"I'm going away." And turning,
she looked full at Cherry, an oddly
defiant expression in her eyes. 'Tve
had a cable from Simon, from Lis
bon. He's arriving this evening."
"Bui . . "Cherry made a littie
gesture. "You mean you're going
to meet him?"
"No, darling, 1 moan I'm going
to avoid meeting him."
"Denise, you can't mean that?"
Denise gave an odd little laugh.
"Oh. yes I can. Anil since you may
as well know the worst, I'm not g*>
ing alone."
"Not going alone?" Cherry echoed
faintly.
"That's what I said," snapped De
nise, turning to slam down a suit
ease.
Cherry toid herself it couldn't be
true. It mustn't be true.
Denise laughed lightly. "Darling.
I wish you wouldn't stand there
looking so horribly disapproving."
Cherry said passionately, "Disap
proving! But. Denise, I jusl can't
believe it!"
Yes, though Denise mentioned no
names. Cherry felt convinced it was
Jerry Miller. She wanted to take
Denise by the shoulders and shake
her or else lock her up until she
came to her senses. She said bit
terly, "It will break Simon's heart
to come back here and find you've
gone. I still somehow can't be
lieve that you're really serious.'
Denise fastened one pf her bags
and straightened her slim back. She i
gave a brittle little laugh. "Don't
be idiotic. Cherry. Hearts don't
break. Simon will get Over it."
Then. h >r curious green eyes with
their tluck curling lashes narrow
ing as they met Cherry's honest
blue ones, "Perhaps, my pel. this is
| where at long last you're going to
I be lucky."
So Denise knew Cherry's cheeks
flamed. As stie said in a little rush,
"Since you've brought that out into
the open, I'm not going to deny it.
I've always believed you didn't
i know. But it doesn't matter. You
must realize that I don't count with
Simcn. I never have. It won't make
any difference because Simrn wilt
lever love any other woman. Some
nen are unfortunately made that
way. Some women, too. Only I
suppose you're too shallow and
worthless to understand it Oh, De
mse ..." her voice changed. An
gtr and bitterness subsided. There
was only an urgent pleading and a
heartbreaking ring of sincerity.
"Emise, 1 clon't mean to say harsh
thiigs to you. It's just that I'm so
unhappy for Simon. Darling, he;
loves you so terribly."
"You're just being foolishly sen
timental, Cherry," said Denise prac
tically. She gave a little tolerant
superior smile. "Bui you always
were, weren't you? I've often said
you're the most sentimental giri I
know. You can't get it out of your
head that all men and women don't
marry and live happily ever after.
Let's not argue any more. I've gotj
fifty things to do before I get away.
I'm taking ihe three- thirty to Bris
tol and whatever happens I don't
want to miss it. I hoped perhaps
you'd he an angel and help me. Or
are you by any chance going to
stand sentry over that door and re
fuse to let me leave the apart
ment?"
"Cherry said heatedly, "I'd very
much like to."
Denise laughed. "Oh, darling, don't
be so ridiculous. Cherry, listen ?
this .was bound to happen. Simon
and I just aren't made to run in
double harness. It's far better for
one of us to realize it and make the
break. To be perfectly frank, I've
been sick of Simon for some time.
He's so darned dull."
"Denise!" It was a cry of re
proach wrung from Cherry's very
heart." M
"He is, Cherry, my pet."
"Oh, Denise, how can you!"
"Easily, darling. Oh. doubtless
Simon is attractive enough to some
women ? yourself, for instance ? but
I find him horribly, horribly duil."
"And this other man? I take it
it's Jerry Miller?"
Denise turned and looked at her.
"Who said it was Jerry Miller?"
Cherry thought, she's trying to put
me off. But she's not succeeding.
It was Jerry Miller, she was cer
tain. She'd seen Denise's whole face
had come alive in the night he'd
called for her. If only Simon were
not involved, his happiness not at
stake! She said dully, "Are you
leaving some word for Simon?"
Denise apparently hadn't thought
of this. "Ought I to? The conven
tional note propped up on the man
telpiece? Or should it be stuck on
that pincushion on my dressing ta
ble? I've never left a husband be
fore. I'm not quite sure of the pro
cedure. No, I 'io.-.'i think so. You're
here, darling. You've got twenty
four hours' leave, haven't you? Stay
on and greet him with the bad news.
Or is that asking too much of you?"
Cherry drew a swift breath. "It's
asking the impossible."
(To Be Continued)
LESPEDEZA
Good, volunteer stands of lespe
deza should be kept because the
seed supply is scarce and it costs
from $5 to $10 to seen an acre, ac
cording to State College extension
specialists.
Buy War Bonds
Raymond llaudrca, RCNVK,
walks ihraoit* h-e covered Royal
Canadian Navy corvette. Ills ship
battled heavy s??s in sub-zero
weather while OA North Atlantic
'?onvoy escort run.
More Timber Needed
For Packing Crates
Farmers must cut a part of the
lumber and pulpwood needed for
shipping containers or there will not
be enough crates and packing ma
terial for harvesting and shipping
crops to market, says R. W. Grae
ber. extension farm forester at State
College.
Not only is tho supply of ship
ping containers extremely short but
there is also a shortage of labor in
the woods. Lumber and pulpwood
companies are finding it increasing
ly hard to operate and they must
turn to fanners to help get out the
needed timber supplies.
"Unless the production of wood
products is increased, the war ef
fort will be hampered. A tremen
dous amount of wood is needed io\
shipping food and other military
supplies overseas," Graeber ex
plains.
tie suggests that fanners cut their
timber on a selective basis, taking
out the. mature trees for lumber and
thinning for pulpwood. This meth
od leaves a good growing stock to
improve the stand and to assure
the timber owner of other lumber
and pulpwood sales in the future.
"About three-fifths of the area of
North Carolina is in timber, and
then' are many opportunities for
farmers in all sections of the state
to do a real war job in cutting the
mature timber and in thinning the
remaining stands lor pulpwood,7'
Graeber points out.
Icy Touch
| News of the Colored
Community
Preaching services were neld at
the Little Rock Zion Church last
Sunday at 11 and 3 o'clock. The
pastor, Rev. Ernest Long, was ihe
speaker at both services. Sunday
school orcccde.i the morning serv
ices with the superintendent, Joe
Odem, in charge.
Through the courtsey of the La
dies" Missionary Society cf the First
baptist Church (white), the third
and fourth grades conducted by
Prof. Roberts, of the Demonstration
School, gave a short musical pro
gram at the Watauga Consolidated
School Friday morning at 10 o'clock.
The program was enjoyed very
much by both faculty and student
body.
Mrs. Lillie E. Thompson, wife of
Frof. Louis W- Thompson, Jr., prin
cipal of the Watauga Consolidated
School, spent the week-end with
her husband. While in the city she
met several pations and friends and
spent a day visiting the school. This
was her first visit to this section and
she expressed herself as having en
joyed the trip and the city.
Preaching services were held at
the Menonite Church Sunday eve
ning, April 2. Rev. R. H. Hatton,
the pastor, was the speaker.
The Methodist Church held an
Easter rally last Sunday at 3 p. m.
Rev. R. A. Houston, the pastor, is
still ali smiles over the success of
the rally. Amount raised is as fol
lows: Rosie Odem, captain No. 1,
Raised $133.25; Mrs. Gertrude Folk,
captain No. 2, raised $87.75; Evelyn
Shearer, captain No . 3, raised
$30.25; public collection $3.10. to
tal $288.35
Prof. Louis W. Thompson, Jr.,
who was appointed to solicit War
Funds for the American Red Cross,
wishes to thank everyone who co
operated in this effort. He was work
ing to raise at least $25, but $27 was
raised before the deadline date.
Preaching services were held at
the United Holiness Church Sunday
evening, April 9, with the pastor,
Rev. R. L. Hagler, in charge.
Next Sunday, April 16, the regu
lar preaching service day at the
Little Rock Zion Missionary Bap
tist Church. Sunday school at 10
o'clock and preaching at 11 and 3
o'clock. Prayer services Wednes
day evening at 8 o'clock. Visitors
welcome at all these services.
4-F'S ASKED TO SECURE
ESSENTIAL EMPLOYMENT
Washington, April 7 ? Manpower
Chairman Paul V. McNutt and
Draft Director Lewis B. Hershey
joined tonight in asking 4-F'S who
are not already so employed to seek
jobs in essential activities of those
designated by the WMC as "locally
needed."
EGGS
The volume of eggs has exceeded
expectations, and collecting routes
as well as storages are taxed to ca
capacity.
Camp Fiesta Will
Not Open This Year
Camp Fiesta, popular camp and
picnic grounds at Foscoe, will not
open this year.
L. S. Byrd, the owner and opera
tor of Camp Fiesta, is a first class
petty officer. U. S. Navy, "come
where in the Pacific." He has been
in active service for the part 20
months.
Mrs. Byrd operated the camp last
sea?on. but she feels that, for the
duration ,ail efforts and work need
ed to keep the camp in first sclass
shape should to used in other
channels to help in the war effort.
An English physicist once esti
mated it would take 300 billior
b'D.'cn-biUion electrons to weigh
oik' ojirice.
I EXTRA GARDENS
? The lutes: Gallup poll on Victory
| gardens shows that thf number to
| be planted i.-; about 19',i million.
;This ir. 2'i million short of the goal,
j Join the Victory garden army ana
; light for your country
Try B1SMAREX
for Acid Indigestion. Insist
on genuine BISMAREX and
refuse other so-called Anti
acid Powders, recommended
to be "just as good." BISMA
REX is sold in Watauga coun
i ty only at
BOONE DRUG CO. 1
The REXALL. STORE
WATAUGA INSURANCE AGENCY
A11 Kinds of Insurance
We Are Glad to Serve You
E. A. GAULTNEY GORDON H. WINKLER
Norihwesiern Bank Building
BOONE. N. C.
Vulcanizing and Recapping
We maintain a modern and complete Vulcanizing and Recap
ping Department, and are rendering the best, of service.
COMPLETE ESSO LUBRICATION SERVICE
MADDUX ESSO SERVICE
Phone 3103 M. R. Maddux, Prop.
SLAP THE JAPS? BUY BONDS
Telephone 194
J6
ts
<
-C
w
Rt
n
Algerian Briar Has Arrived!
More Coming!
YOU MUST GET YOUR BURLS IN
THIS WINTER IF YOU WANT THE
TOP PRICE FOR THEM!
Phone or Write
D. & P. PIPE WORKS
AUSTIN MTLLER, Gen. Mgr.
03
c
*<
w
o
2
D
c/>
D. & P. PIPE WORKS, BOONE, N. C.
PROTECT YOUR FAMILY
by becoming a member o?
REINS-STURCMVANT BURIAL
ASSOCIATION
TELEPHONE 24 . . . BOONE, N. C.
A 25-ccnt fee is charged upon joining, after which the follow
ing duos are in effect:
Quarterly Yearly
One to Ten Years - 10 .40
Two to Twenty-nice Years 20 80
Thirty to Fifty Years -10 1 60
Fifty to Sixty-five Years 60 2.40
WANTED
Dogwood Sticks and Poles
We are always in the market for any quantity. Highest
price and spot cash on delivery. For specification and
price call at mill or write
MEDGENTRA, LTD., U.S.A.
P. O. BOX 505, BOONE, N. C.
DOGWOOD WANTED
Farmers and timbermen in Watauga and ad
joining counties, you can now really get top
price for your DOGWOOD by bringing it on
over the hill to SHOUNS. TENN. Cut your
sticks inches and up at small end. In
lengths of 3 and 6 feet, allowing 2 inches on
each stick for squaring.
Spot cash on delivery. Join the many others
from your county and get more money.
Mountain Hickory Dogwood Co.
Mills: SHOUNS, TENNESSEE
as
Benefit
S. 50.00
100.00
100.00
ioo.ee