North Carolina Newspapers

PAGE TWO COEYktGHT. 1933~EVJOHN H HOPKINS & SON—RELEASEE) RV CENTRAL PfrfSS AgSgCTATTOft J CHAPTER *« WILM A BLEW a thread of smoke Jnto the air contemplatively as she talked to Thora of her approaching wedding as Pat drove them back from town to Fair Acres. “It’s a funny thing, Thora • • • but I'm terribly fed up with all thia fuss and bother. I wish it were over with. I want to get away. And then ... if I don’t like it . . ." Wil ma shrugged her slim shoulders and tossed away her cigaret. “You think I’m rather hopeless, don’t you ?” “I think I feel sorry for you,” Thora answered soberly. “You needn’t. Perhaps I am cyni eal about the whole thing, but I come by that honestly. If I get burnt, it will be my own fault . . . and just too bad.” "Do you plan to be married soon?” Thora asked hesitatingly. She hoped that Wilma would say no. Some thing might happen. ... It seemed such a terrible thing for a girl to do. To marry a man, knowing that she didn’t love him. And not caring. Wilma answered the question un hesitatingly. “Yes. Between you and me, sooner than anyone else thinks. You see’ , . . again that mirthless laugh . . . “I think I’m cooling oft I got a thrill out of it, at first The excite ment it gave the other girls, and all that. I got a kick out of seeing how envious a lot of them were. But I m fed up now. I could scream when I think of Aunt Dorothy’s dinner. Some old frumps who have known me ever since I v was a kid. . . . Dad making a speech and loathing the whole thing as much as I do. I don’t know why I'm worrying you with all of this . . . but I’ve felt these past few days that I’d blow up, if I couldn’t take it out on some body.” "I think you are afraid ... of .yourself.” “Not a chance, my dear. I'm just fed up. That’s all. Alec feels the tame way. "We’ve decided we’ll slip away before long and get it over with. I hate to burden your con science with the plot, but you’ll prob ably be called in to administer first aid to the family. I know that I can trust you.” “Yes, you can trust me. I hope that you’ll be happy. ... I hope it so much.” “Thanks.” Wilma leaned forward. Her hand came out and gave Thora’s fingers a little squeeze. “Don’t bother that blond head of yours about me. I’m not worth it. When your time comes . . . you’ll do it better. I can even imagine your being . . . happy.” She said the last word with a quick glance over her shoulder through the rear window of the machine. ‘‘Oh. Frt!” “Yes, Miss Wilma." "That car has been trailing us for the past 20 minutes. Pull away from it. please.” “I’ll try it” ‘‘We got more’n they have," Pat called back a moment later. “Want me to keep it up?” “Yes.” Wilma's .voice was sharp. •Don’t look back,” she cautioned, nulling at Thora's startled expres sion. “It’s nothing. Just nerves. I happened to remember my valuables, that’s all.” v “They’re the persistent divils,” Pat observed a moment later, after a glance at his rear-vision glass. “They must think it’s a race. You still want to keep up front, Miss Wilma?” “Yes.” "Okay. I can do that. If you don’t want to see their back plates, I’ll hog the road if I have to. It’s only a few miles now.” Nothing more was said as the machine fled along the smooth pike under Donahue's skillful handling. With CHAPTER 37 THORA DAHL always glanced hastily through the house mail if it came into her hands on its way to the library. There was always the hope that she might discover that longed-for letter with the Minnesota postmark, addressed in the familiar fine handwriting of her mother. But It had not come. This morning, however, she had been amazed to find her name writ ten In a bold flowing hand across a square white envelope. She sensed the writer's Identity at once and was not in the least surprised when her guess proved correct. The missive said: Dear Thora Dahl:— If my legal mind has not lost tta keen edge, you will be trying to decipher this on Thursday morning. At 3:30 of that same date, to wit, I shall be driving up to your door in my car. It is a. green roadster, In case there la a traffic rush. You, are to be dressed in your best and be ready to ride for the space of one-half hour more or less. Byway of relieving, your con science, please note that.l have made the necessary arrange ments with your employer. I’m not sure what reason, I gave for wanting to borrow you for so brief a time, but It must have been good. Seriously. I must see you for a few minutes. Something has happened that I want to talk to you about. Please And gratefully, SHERM. I shall sit In ray car and honk until you appear. So ... in the interests of peace, etc. Thora pondered over the message as she went about her work, half amused and half angry. She would have thought it a hoax of some sort, had she not believed she knew Gor don too welL What could he wish to talk about? And why had he gone to Mr. Marsh first. Instead; of finding out If she were willing to go? Perhaps he hadn’t He might be trying to trick her’ Into the ride, knowing that she'would sot be likely to check up on what he said. The i * Hi? ,J|||if w’ “1 had two good caretakers with me . . He was the first to break the silence with: “I'm goin’ to slow sudden for the gates. Miss Wilma. You and Miss Thora want to watch out for your noses.” The Marsh car had scarcely started picking up speed on the driveway than the second machine flashed by and disappeared. “Please don’t say anything to dad about that,” Wilma urged, as she settled back in her place beside Thora. “I was only imagining things, and he’s going to be provoked with me for bringing that bracelet this way.” The two had no sooner entered the house than Wilma caught at Thora’s arm. “Come back to the library with me. I want a witness when I turn over my valuables. Dad will let me off easier, if you’re with me.” Selwyn was in his library, but not alone. Sherman Gordon was seated on the other side of the big table. He rose to his feet at once as the two girls entered. “Ah, the travelers have returned.” “And how,” Wilma answered care lessly. “You’re another witness, Sherm. With Miss Dahl. Dad, I was in Edmond’s today and brought out some of those things." She opened, her bag and produced the bracelet in its case and three ring boxes. Marsh caught up the case with an impatient exclamation. "That was anything but smart! Carting this thing out here without any protection! What was Edmond thinking of?” * “He wasn’t much enthused,” Wil ma admitted easily. “But there was no danger. I had two good care takers with me . . . and I wanted the things out at home. Now, you see they’re all right. It’s up to you to take charge of them and see that no body gets away with them.” ‘Til do that . . . don’t worry. I’ve a notion to lock them up where you can't get at them. Look at this, Sherm. Do you-blame me?” Gordon whistled under his breath as he examined the diamond circlet. “Some geegaw, if you ask me. more she considered It, the more cer tain she became that she could not speak to Mr. Marsh about it Slightly exasperated by the puzzle, she finally decided to refer it to Wilma. That young woman smiled as she read the note. "Oh, that's merely Sherm’s Idea of being original. There’s no deep mystery. I heard him telling dad that he was going out to his farm one afternoon this week and that he’d like to take you along and let you see it He said .. . I remember . . . that you were the only person he could talk ’farm’ to. That’s what he wants.” "Then you think he will really be here ?” "Don’t doubt It Get ready and go with him.” “I’m not sure,., ." "Nonsense) It will do you good. Sherm’s pretty slow . . . and as safe as he Is slow." Wilma laughed. ”1 wasn’t thinking of that" “If you mean the neighbors » » . why should you worry?” Reassured by this Interview, Thora decided to be dressed and ready at tbe specified time ... also to be within easy reach of the front door in oase- Mr. Gordon carried out the threat mentioned in the postscript to his note* It proved to be a wise precaution for, on. the. dot of 3:30, there came the strident blast of a motor horn. And Gordon was on the point of sounding a second when Thora came hurrying out and acrosa the porch. It worked 1” was his greeting. “Thank you."' This time," Thora discouraged him. "Pm not In the habit of an swering signals." She tried to look severe, but* the effort was not suc cessful. i “All: the more thanks, them" Sher man was assisting her into the car. had to resort to trickery, for fear you. would: refuse my request. I needed your advice rather badly." Are the potato bugs getting the best of you?” beans . . . somebody’s them. Gordon started the car. lam going to run you out and show you my place . . . only a hnT l? 1 * 68, You won>t call lt a f arm. but I hope you’ll my feelings as much as you can." If he had something that he really HEnDERSUJ*. 4N* C.)-' DAILY DISPATCH, SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1936. Here, take it bade. I hope you have, a good combination on your safe, Selwyn.” “I guess it would bother an ama teur, provided he could find it.” “All right. Don’t tell me which panel it’s behind. I don’t want to know. What’s that other trinket, Wilma?” "Alec’s ring.” She held out her left hand for the two men to see. “You didn’t see this, either, Mias Dahl,” she reminded. “Very nifty badge of slavery,” was Gordon’s compliment. “I thought the lucky man was supposed to put it on your finger, ill omen . . . all: that sort of thing.” “That’s hopelessly passe,” Wilma; returned wearily. “The country is getting you, Sherm. I’m taking this one.” she told her father. “You, lock up the others.” She turned and left the room, followed by Thora. Selwyn sat smoking silently after the girls disappeared, his eyes Qxed on the jewel case. Gordon watched him curiously, wondering what was passing through his mind—if old memories were associated with those costly trinkets. He was surprised when Marsh spoke suddenly, in guarded tones. “I had a report today on . . . you know.” “Good?" “Perfectly . . . for a start, they said. I suppose they mean the pass ports and that sort of thing were in order. They’re back-tracking through their correspondence in London. I guess it’s all a waste of time and money.” “I imagine so.” “I’ve had several talks with the chap. He seems to have a pretty level head for business. He’s away now on a matter that sounds very attractive to me. I believe he’s all right . . . just different from what we’re used to.” Gordon chuckled. He nodded at the jewelry. “I’ll say he’s all right. Any man who had that stuff in his fingers and was on his way to the train. . . . He’s bound to be all right.” (TO BE CONTINUED • wished to tell her, Thora decided that he was putting it off. He was strangely silent during most of the brief ride and his companion gave herself up happily to enjoying thu countryside. The Gordon farm proved to be a modest estate of some 80 acres. There was a small weatherbeaten house and several outbuilding*: <ym the place, but no tenant. "I’m not doing anything here but raising a little hay and grain,’* the owner explained. "The man who lives on the next place does the work for me." "That’s no way to farm," Thora objected. “You should come out here and live . . . do the work your self. That’s what a dirt farmer does," she reminded him with a smile. “That house could be. mad* very attractive without much, ex*, pease.” They were parked In the shade ofc a large oak tree that stood near a. small barn. “I may do that some day," Gordon, remarked slowly. He took some let ters and a pencil from his pocket and* started making a sketch on the back of an envelope. “This will give you an Idea of the layout and what I’m trying to do now." For a quarter of an hour, they dis cussed the situation. Thora listened attentively, asked occasional ques tions and offered bits of Information regarding crop practices in her na tive state. “It sure Is great to talk to someone like you," Gordon sighed happily. “You’re a wonder I” “Did you bring me all the way out here to tell, me that?’’ she asked good-naturedly. “1 could haye told* you so before we left.” That same little feeling of happi ness had stolen over her, just as It had happened that morning when she and Mr. Gordon rode out to the hilltop together. Again she was with someone to whom she oould talk, be her real self. He was the only one who was like that. For some reason there was no barrier here. It was true that Mr. Gordon had very nearly spoiled things for both of them, but that would not happen again. She, had. misunder stood them. Everything was differ ent now. (TO BE CONTINUED) 'iSIYON SECURITY Legislature Not Enthusias tic Over Enactment of New Social Laws Dally Dispatch Hurenii, In The Sir Walter Hotel, By J. C. BASKEBVII.L Raleigh, March 7. —Although the Virginia legislature has been in ses sion for some time and is still in ses sion, it has failed to do anything at all about providing for old age pen sions, while the law it has enacted wth regard to unemployment insur ance provides that it shall not become effective until after the U. S. Supreme Court has held that the Federal So cial Security Act is valid and consti tutional, it was learned here today from an authoritative source. The re sult is that Virginia, with its legisla ture in session, has not provided for any more state social security legis lation than the 1935 North Carolina legislature provided for this State a year ago, it is pointed out here. Under the new Virginia act, unem ployment insurance cannot be put in to effect until the Supreme Court passes upon and upholds the Federal Social 'Security Act, which may be many months yet or not at all. It is understood that Governor Peery, of Virginia, recommended that a commis sion be named to study the old age pensions question in Virginia, with an appropriation of $20,000 for this pur pose, but that the finance commit tees are even opposed to this plan and likely to report the entire proposal un favorably. If this is done, Virginia will be entirely without any provision for cooperating with the Federal govern ment to provide old age pensions un der the Social Security Act. In spite of the clamor from some quarters for a special session here in North Carolina to enact old age pen sions and unemployment insurance laws, to cooperate with the govern ment under the Social Security Act, a good many observers here are con vinced that it would be difficult to get laws of this sort through a special session, certainly not without tremen dous opposition. For it is agreed that fe&i'bb? M&i: "Yes, I do pride myself on Being a safe driver. Something to be proud gf* don't you think? "But, mind you, 1 don't consider that I can be a safe driver just by observing the traffic rules and keeping my eyes open - * * im portant as these are* "I must have the co-operation of a safe Car* "The steering mechanism must be faultless - - - or anything bad can happen* The following North Carolina and South Carolina Newspapers are Co-operating in This Promotion for Safety on the Highways: CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, Charlotte, N. C, NEWS & OBSERVER, Raleigh, N. C. ASHEVILLE CITIZEN, Asheville, N. C. ASHEVILLE TIMES, Asheville, N. C. WILMINGTON STAR, Wilmington, N. C. WILMINGTON NEWS, Wilmington, N. C. EVENING TELEGRAM, Rocky Mount, N. C. DURHAM HERALD, Durham, N. C, DURHAM SUN, Durham, N. C. CONCORD TRIBUNE, Concord, N. C. taHGH POINT ENTERPRISE, High Point, N. «. in order to make them effective, the legislature would have to levy addi tional taxes to provide the revenue needed for state cooperation and to match the Federal funds that would her eceived. A good many believe it would not ce any more inclined to pass these laws than the Virginia leg islature has been. MAKES HAY, SELLS LESPEDEZA SEEDS Wadesboro, March 7—ln addition to filling all his barns with good les pedeza hay last fall, James C. Caudle of Peachland, Route 1, in Anson county has sold 226 bushels of seed at an average price of $2,00 a bushel, reports County Agent J. W. Came ron. On two acres of Common les pedeza he harvested 46 bushels of re cleaned seed and claims that lespe aeza was a more profitable cash crop than his cotton last year. He plans to plant a larger acreage to the legume this year, but will turn under the greater part of the crop for soil improvement, says Cameron. BABY CHICKS GIVEN MARKET IN 7 WEEKS Pittsboro, March 7 —From baby chicks to broilers weighing two and one-quarter pounds each in nine weeks is the record made by A. E. Webster of Pittsboro, route 2, Chat ham County, with a flock of 900 chicks bought last December, re ports County Agent H. M. Singletary. During that period Mr. Webster lost only 20 of the young birds. The chicks were properly housed and fed the growing mash recommended by the poultry extension specialist at State College. 4 NEW BOOKS OFF UNIVERSITY PRESS Chapel Hill, March 7 —Four new books, two of them dealing with his tory, one with education, and one with social questions, have just been released by the University of North Carolina Press. They are “Universal Education in the South” by Charles William Dab ney; “Hotel Life by Norman Hayner; “Diplomatic History of Georgia” by John Tate Lanning; and “Washing ton and the West” by Charles H. Amblin. DRIVE CAREFULLY. - SAVE A LIFE! "I Can Be A Safe Driver Only If I Drive A Safe Car" COLUMBIA BTATE, Colombia, 8, C. CHARLESTON NEWS A COURIER, Charleston, S..C, CHARLESTON POST, Charleston, S. C. COLUMBIA RECORD, Columbia, 8. C. ROCK HILL HERALD; Bock HUI, S> C. STATESVILLE DAILY. Statesville, N. C. HICKORY RECORD, Hickory, N. G. FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER Fayetteville, N. C. . HENDERSON DAILY H«nderaon, N. G. MCLIACW \ Fostering in Rural Boys and Girls Desire for High er Training College Station, Raleigh, March 7. — The 4-H club movement is fostering in rural boys and gPls a desire for advanced training in colleges and uni versities to better fit themselves for life. The number of club members who plan to enter college is increasing every year, said L. R. Harrill, state 4-H club leader at N. C. State College, and many of the foremost agricultural and home economics students are for mer 4-H club members. The fact that 4-H boys and girls are going to college* in increasing num bers indicates that club work awakens in the rural young people a realiza tion of the value of thorough train ing and a well rounded education, Harrill stated. One of the most outstanding agri cultural students ever graduated from State College said he would not have carried his scholastic education be yond high school had it not been for the inspiration, encouragement and financial profits he got out of 4-H club work. The scholarships offered as prizes in various club projects are aiding many rural boys and girls to attend college, Harrill pointed out, and this is why the club organization is seek ing as many scholarships as possible when prizes are to be offered. The large number of 4-H boys and girls who choose agricultural or home economics courses at college also at tests the fact that 4-H clubs are show ing rural youths how wholesome and satisfying life on the farm, can be made, he continued. Although Harrill did not have exact figures on North Carolina, he said there is no question that more and more 4-H boys and girls are going to college, and he cited U. S. Depart ment of Agriculture figures showing that during the past five years the number of former club members now taking agricultural and home econo- "Wy brakes must be good - - - or I'm not the master of my car* "Lights must lie right - - - or I don't know what's ahead of me on the road. "Ivfy tires must have tread enough to grip the ground or pavement else skidding is likely, and brakes rendered uncertain "Safe cars in the hands of careful drivers * * -that's what we must have to cut down the blood-spilling that's taking place on our highways*" mics courses increased from 9 3,395 in 12 central states. 63 ,0 DEMONSTRATION FOR FEEDING OF 21 Piqs \Tarboro, March 7—J. h g., tt thwaite, of Edgecombe CountV started a hog feeding demonstrati with 27 pigs that average 8l', )(J ‘ a pig, reports County Agent J r Powell. The pigs will' be "fed 8h I„ , corn and fish meal in a self f, and will have access to ‘a niimSi mixture consisting of 10 pounds n superphosphate, 10 pounds of r and 2 pounds of salt. The mixture will be weighed and record will be kept on costs of all feeds ... , minerals bought. Home grown Ve.i will be charged at market nri,.T Powell says. LEE FARMERS WII L BUY COOPERATIVELY Sanford. March 7__Farmer s in L. f . jcounty nave organized a Farmers Cooperative Association and will b Uv all production supplies and sell ,ii poultry ;md other farm commodities on a cooperative basis, reports Coun ty Agent E. O. McMahan. Eighty leading growers were at the organi zation meeting last week and elected officers for the year. The organiza tion is being sponsored by i oCa i Grange chapters and already more than 175 growers have joined the as sociation, says McMahan. SUMMER SESSION BULLETINS SENT Greensboro, March 7—The Summer Session program at the Woman’s Col lege of the University of North Caro lina, according to information con tained in bulletins now being sent out from the office of Dr. W. C. Jackson, dean of administration, will include 112 courses in 18 different fields, and the faculty will number 55. The ses sion opens June 9, and closes July 17. I All Forms of n INSURANCE RENTALS REAL ESTATE Al. B. Wester Phone 139-J NEWS-ARGUS, Goldsboro, N. C. SPARTANBURG HERALD, Spartanburg, S. C. SPARTANBURG JOURNAL, Spartanburf S. C WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL, Winston-Salem, N. C. WINSTON-SALEM SENTINEL, Winston-Salem, N. C. GREENSBORO NEWS, Greensboro, N. C. GREENSBORO RECORD, Greensboro, N. C. SALISBURY POST, Salisbury, N. C. GASTONIA GAZETTE, Gastonia, N. C.