> ctnd be * \ *v muJLova s» Peggy Pehn ^ W.N.U. RELEA5E - THE STORY THUS FAR: “Mentally HI," Tom Fallon had described his wife. Meg shivered as she went on home. Jim MacTavlsh was happy as he announced that he had sold the farm. They quar reled, and Meg called Larry for ad vice. Be told her no sale was valid with out her signature. Late that night Meg was awakened by a knock at the door. It was Tom Fallon, who said that Martha, his wife’s sister, had fallen and hurt herself. He wanted to call a doctor. Meg called the doctor, then rushed to the Fallon home. Martha did not want her to come In, but Tom allowed her to enter and bandage the Injured ankle. A blood-curdling cry came from the next room. CHAPTER VII Megan rose and lit the oil cook stove. She was just putting water on to heat when suddenly a cry rang out that was like icy fingers tap ping up and down her spine, a cry that chilled the blood and left the heart beating with mad, staggering haste. “Tom—” Martha cried. Megan said quietly, her voice not quite steady, “Mrs. Fallon must have had a bad dream. They can frighten one to pieces.” Martha’s eyes widened a little, and her expression relaxed ever so slightly. She was plainly startled, and a little suspicious, but as Me gan scalded out the teapot, Martha nodded slowly and said uneasily, "Yes—It must have been that. She’s —she’s—ill and doesn’t sleep much, and my fall excited her and—yes, she must have had a nightmare.” Megan poured the boiling water into the teapot, and said, her tone deliberately quiet and natural, “Per haps Mrs. Fallon would like a cup of hot milk? Would it soothe her, do you think?” Martha hesitated. “It might, at that,” she agreed. "Tom could get her to drink it.” Megan nodded and poured some milk into a saucepan. When it was hot, she filled a glass and went to the door with it. She knocked with the tips of her fingers, very lightly, and a moment later, Tom opened the door. She made herself speak casually and offered him the glass of milk. He took it from her with a flash of gratitude that was touch Ulg. She came back to the stove, and tested the tea. Martha said It was “Just right” and Megan poured her a cup of it. They were drinking the last of the tea when there was a sound of a car in the drive, and a moment later, Dr. Alden, stout, el derly, tired-looking, the typical coun try doctor, came briskly in. “Hello—you here?” he greeted Megan cheerfully, looking at Mar tha curiously. “What seems to be the trouble?” “There’s no seeming about it,” Martha told him tartly. “I fell and twisted my ankle somehow, and Tom would have it that we must call a doctor.” Dr. Alden made a swift examina ' tion of the ankle, congratulating Megan on the way she had ban daged it. He straightened at last, saying briskly, “Painful, but not danger ous. Just keep up the treatment, Megan, and see that she stays off her feet for the next three or four days—or a week. I don’t look for any complications.” As he turned towards the door, Tom came out of that room that was in such sharp contrast to the drab, cheerless house, and shook hands with the doctor, thanking him for his trip. He walked with him out to the car. When he came back, he said to Megan, "I don’t know how to thank you—” “There’s nothing to thank me for—” i snow—u s jusi uie neignDony spirit of Pleasant Grove,” he told her, smiling. “Well, it is, at that,” she assured him sturdily. “Now If you’ll help me get Miss—the patient to her bed room, I'll get her comfortable for the night.” Martha stiffened. "No!” she said sharply. “I can put myself to bed—” “But you are not to use your foot—” "Tom can help me. I don’t need you to help me,” said Martha with such unexpected savagery that Me gan felt the color pour into her face. "Martha, for Heaven’.s sake—” pleaded Tom in an agony of em barrassment and helpless anger. "You are behaving like a shrew—” "Why? Just because I said I could put myself to bed?” snapped the woman, her hostile eyes upon Me gan. "1 appreciate all she’s done for me, but she didn't have to both er; the doctor would have got here In plenty of time to do what was necessary. There was no call for her to come pushing in here—” Tom said, ignoring her, "I’ll see you home, Megan, of course.” "No,” said Megan firmly. "You are needed here. It’s not far and the dogs are waiting for me out side. You stay here. Goodnight, Miss—Martha, and I hope you'll be much better in the morning.” Martha did not answer. Tom walked with Megan out of the warm, lamplit kitchen and to the drive. He walked beside her to the road, and there she turned and said, "This is far enough. You mustn’t leave them alone.” "I don’t know how to thank you, J or how to apologize for Martha,” he said awkwardly. “Please don’t say any more,” Me gan begged him quickly. "I under stand perfectly. Sick people, or peo ple who are in pain, should not ever be held accountable for their ac tions—and she was in great pain to night. Get her to bed and see that she takes one of those tablets Dr. Alden left. It will help her to sleep.” Megan let herself quietly Into the house, grateful for its warmth and darkness. But as she moved across the kitchen towards the hall, there was a sudden sound and the light flashed up and she faced her father. She gave a startled gasp, and tried to laugh. “Oh, did I wake you?" she said. “I’m sorry—I tried to be very cautious—” “Sly would be the word I’d use,” said her father with insolence and sharp accusation in his voice, his eyes taking her in from the top of her hair, tumbled where she had just removed the closely wrapped scarf, to the tips of her shoes, dusty from the quarter-mile walk along the unpaved road. “I would not have believed it if I hadn’t seen it I-. 1 I-1 tvmruMj.—— ■ i m “It’s not far and the dogs are waiting for me outside. You stay here.” with my own eyesl How long has this—this disgraceful business been going on?” he added, his voice thick with righteous anger. Megan stared at him, wide-eyed and bewildered by the depth of his anger. “I don't know what you’re talk ing about—” she began. “Don't try to lie out of it,” he snapped at her furiously. “I heard that—that—Fallon man come to the back door and tap, for all the world like some—street bum beneath the window of his—light o’ love! And I heard you go down to him—I couldn’t believe that you would leave the house with him—” “If you heard so much. Dad, with out even sufficient Interest in my affairs to ask a simple question, then you must have heard me tele phone Dr. Alden—” “I heard nothing of the sort,” her father cut in furiously, playing the role of an outraged father and en joying it, she was a little sickened to realize. “1 only heard you creep down the stairs to let him in. Then a little later, I heard you come up stairs and get some clothes on. You then went out with him and you’ve been gone more than three hours! My daughter! A MacTavish—this, Megan, is the last straw. I do not propose to have you carrying on like some common—wanton—” Megan’s eyes flashed with anger. “That’s quite enough, Dad!” she said. “You don't want to know the truth—” “1 don’t propose to have my In telligence insulted by some weak kneed silly lie!” he blazed at her. “You’re going to listen to me just the same,” her voice cut across his. “Mr. Fallon came here to use the telephone to call a doctor. His sis ter-in-law, who lives with them and takes care of his invalid wife, had fallen and hurt her ankle. She was in pain. I called the doctor for him and when I found he couldn't get there for more than an hour, I went over, as any good neighbor would, and made use of some of my First Aid training—” Her father sneered at her. “And that was exactly what I meant by some weak-kneed, silly lie,” he told her shortly. "You sneaked out of this house and were gone with that man—a married man, whose wife is a bedridden in valid, and were gone three hours—” “Dr. Alden was there. I'm sure he would be glad to back up my story,” she Interrupted him. "It’s likely that I’d go around ad mitting to people in this dizzy little hick town that I don't even know where my daughter was for three solid hours after midnight? Oh, no, you are perfectly safe in offering me a lie like that—” He was lashing himself Into a fury, and Megan eyed him for a moment, with a look be neath which his self-righteous blus ter faded a little. “You’d like to make it impossible for me to stay on in Pleasant Grove. Dad?” she suggested quietly. “You’d go even to that length to try to force me to sell—” "You are being insolent and bra ten,” her father cut in loftily. “I admit frankly that if you’re in love with this married man, the wisest thing for you to do is put as much distance between you and him as possible.” Megan’s eyes were wide and in credulous. “In love with Tom Fallon?” she repeated as though she could not believe the absurd charge. Her father shrugged. His eyes were cold now and frankly hostile. "Well, I admit I’d rather think you were in love with him than that you were merely—chasing an indecent thrill,” he told her savagely. Megan was suddenly conscious that she was very tired. “But—I’m willing to be broad minded about tonight, Meggie,” her father said at last “You've always been a good daughter, and if you tell me there was nothing in your going out with Fallon—I’ll take your word for it.” “That’s—white of you!" Megan forced the words through her teeth, her voice trembling. Her father shot her a swift, vin dictive look. “But of course, only on condition that you see no more of the man, and that you sell out and we both get as far from this place as pos sible,” he went on sternly. “You’ve got a chance to marry a fine young fellow, and live a much easier life than you've known here. Farming is no job for a girl—” Once more, she dared risk only a few words, lest the threatening tears overwhelm her. “I’m not selling the farm. Dad— that’s final,” she told him, and man aged to get up the stairs and to her own room before she gave way to tears. , sne aamiueu now, luriurmy, *n the first moment of her emotional reaction, that she had never liked her father. But now she hated him I The thought shocked her. But she had to admit its truth. She was bitterly ashamed of her weakness when she awoke in the crisp coolness of the dawn a few hours later. She was startled to see that it was almost eight o’clock, a good two hours later than she was accustomed to rise, but she remem bered that it was Sunday, and Amos would have finished long ago the milking and the early morning chores. She dressed and went downstairs, where Annie beamed at her warm ly. “Did yo' git yo’ sleep out, Miss Meggie?” she greeted her cheer fully. “I feel like a lazy loafer, Annie," she admitted. “Well, it ain’t no matteh. An’ ha’d as yo' wu’ks, Miss Meggie, I like to see you git yo' sleep out!” said Annie promptly. “How yo’ like a waffle fo’ yo’ bre’kfus?” "Hm-m-m!” said Megan happily. Annie chuckled and went, briskly about the business of pouring waf fle batter on the piping hot iron and closing the lid carefully. “Mist’ Larry cornin’ today?” asked Annie, as she made fresh cof fee. “For lunch,” Megan nodded. “I ’spected him,” Annie assured her cheerfully. “I done got me two fine chickens all dressed and wait in’ fo’ de frying pan. Dat po’ young man don’ git ha'f 'nough to eat at dem old resty-rants in Meadersville —us got to feed him up good and hearty!” Megan laugnea. i m sure ne u appreciate that when I tell him about it.” Later, when Megan had helped straighten the downstairs rooms and seen that there were chrysanthe mums and a few late zinnias and as ters and marigolds scattered about the shabby old place to lend their own indefinable charm, she went upstairs, bathed leisurely, and dressed. There was a thin jade green shantung dress that was two years old, but Laurence liked her in it, and it was cheerful looking. She walked up to the bus stop to meet him, and when he came swing ing towards her, his face lit up with eager delight at the sight of her. The day was mild and warm, the sunlight golden on her russet-brown head, but all that Laurence said as he greeted her was an eager ••Hello!” ••Hello,” she answered, and laughed a little because it was such a glorious morning and she liked being with Laurence. They walked hand in hand back down the road to the house, and then Laurence said, "I've been shut up in what passes for a city, in these parts, for quite a bit—couldn't we walk down through the meadow and over to the Ridge before lunch?” "We’ll probably Just about have time,” Megan answered him lightly. They crossed the backyard, and went down through the meadow with, of course, the inevitable ac companiment of dogs and cats and chickens and cows. (TO BE CONTINUED) Dark Breads Save White Flour (See Recipes Below) Bread Substitutes Our recently developed shortage of bread and wheat products is —calling tor great er ingenuity than any shortage we faced during the war. With plan ning and foresight, this shortage may be met sat isfactorily. ii yuu nave ucuucu iu uiuivc juui own bread, for example, use only part white flour and make up the rest with plentiful oatmeal, pota toes, or some of the rye and wheat flours. Corn meal, too, is gaining great popularity in many parts of the country. Should there be a shortage of left over bread for stuffings and the like, use potatoes, for they, too, are plen tiful. In fact, you might also like to use part potatoes for bread, rolls and muffins. These take little fat and sugar, and are perfectly deli cious. If you like hot rolls for dinner, here is a wonderfully easy recipe for you. You can make up the whole batch and then remove only what you need from the refrigera tor as needed. Oatmeal Refrigerator Rolls. Vi cup shortening 3 tablespoons sugar 114 teaspoons salt 14 cup boiling water 1 cup rolled oats 1 cake yeast 14 cup lukewarm water 1 egg, beaten 214 cups sifted flour Add boiling water to sugar, salt, shortening and rolled oats. Stir well. Cool to lukewarm. Soften yeast in lukewarm water. Add with beaten egg to oatmeal mixture. Stir in half the flour, beat well and add remaining flour. Place in greased bowl. Cover with waxed paper and store in refrigerator. When need ed, remove from refrigerator, form into cloverleaf rolls in greased muf fin pans. Cover and let rise until almost doubled. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in a fairly hot (425-degree) oven. If desired, the above rolls may also be made with bran. Use Vi cup bran in place of the oatmeal and 3^4 cups of flour. Partial Whole Wheat Bread. (Makes 4 loaves) 3 cups milk 1 cup lukewarm water 4 teaspoons salt Vt cup molasses 4 tablespoons shortening About 6 cups flour About 6 cups whole wheat flour 2 cakes quick-acting yeast Dissolve yeast in lukewarm wa ter and add to it 1 teaspoon sugar. Allow to stand for 10 minutes. Scald milk and add to it the mo lasses and salt. When milk has cooled, add yeast mixture. Mix the two flours together and add all but 1 cupful. Some flours Lynn Says: Flavor Tips: Next time you make your own white bread add some crushed cardamon seeds for an unusual flavor. A special dressing for the sal ad? Coming right up. Make a simple oil dressing and add an chovy paste to the regular ingre dients. Special hamburgers? Mix blue cheese with a bit of dry mustard. Worcestershire sauce and creamed butter and spread over the ’burgers while they broil. Pancakes for Sunday break fast? Fry apple rings in sausage drippings, then pour maple fla vored syrup over them, let sim mer and spoon over pancakes while still hot. Lynn Chambers’ Menus Shrimp Salad in Tomato Potato Chips Fried Eggplant Rye Bread and Butter Blueberry Cobbler Top Milk or Cream Beverage do not require as much liquid as others, so it is not advisable to add all of the flour until it is known that all of it is needed. Then, add softened shortening, mix well and turn out on floured Doara. iv.neaa un til the dough be comes elastic and does not stick to the board. Place in a greased bowl, cover and allow to rise until double in bulk. Remove from bowl and make mivj iuu v to. x »av,c ■■bvvvwhbv'w in greased tins which should be large enough to be full when the bread is molded into them. Let loaves rise to the top of the pans or until about double in size. Bake in a pre-heated, moderate (350-de gree) oven. There’s nothing better than home made dark rye bread for those sa lami and ham sandwiches on pic nics and outings. Here is a recipe that makes two 1%-pound loaves that will be ideal for the week-end: Dark Rye Bread. (Makes 2 Im pound loaves) 2 cups scalded milk H cup shortening 4 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon salt 2 packages yeast 2 cups lukewarm water 12 cups rye flour Combine scalded milk, shorten ing, sugar and salt. Stir to mix well, then cool to lukewarm. Add yeast, crumbled in lukewarm wa ter. Blend in rye Hour, mixing un til dough is well blended. Knead on a well-floured board for 10 min utes. Let rise in a warm place, in ft covered, greased bowl until dou ble in bulk (about 1V4 hours). Divide dough and form into two loaves. Place in greased, round 9-inch pans and let rise again un til doubled in bulk in a warm place, (about 20 minutes). Bake in a mod erately hot oven (400-degree) for 1 hour. Do not store until cold. Sausage Spoon Bread. 1 pound sausage meat 2 cups canned tomatoes 2 teaspoons minced onions 2 teaspoons salt % cup corn meal 3 eggs 1 cup milk Cook tomatoes, onions and salt to boiling in saucepan. Slowly add corn meal, stir ^ nun cunsianuy. Cook until thick. Brown the sau sage, drain off fat and add Mi cup of the fat to the corn meal. Beat eggs, add milk and com bine with first mixture. Bake uncovered in a greased 8 - inch «" square pan, in a iUWUCid 1C VOiih degree) oven for about 45 minutes. Serve hot. Irish Potato Pancakes. (Makes 1 dozen) 1 cup mashed potato 2 cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons baking powder 2 beaten eggs 1 cup milk 4 tablespoons light corn syrup 1 teaspoon nutmeg Mix to a batter in order given. Beat thoroughly. Bake on a greased griddle until well browned on both sides. Released by Western Newspaper Union. SEWING CIRCLE PATTERNS Junior Date Dress IUST THE THING for romantic summer evenings — a cleverly styled junior date dress with the popular figure-paring midriff, full dirndl skirt, pert wing sleeves. Picture it in a colorful printed fabric accented with narrow white ruffling at neck and sleeves, and for a change, unusual shaped buttons. • • • Pattern No. 897.1 comes In sizes 11, 12, 13. 14. 16 and 18. Size 12 requires 3 yards of 35 or 39-lnch fabric; 21a yards ma chine made ruffling. Slenderizing House Dress LOOK CRISP and cool at the breakfast table in this jiffy-on button front house frock that’s so easy to care for. Bold ric rac trims the pretty sweetheart neck and ample pockets, the set in belt slims you nicely. You’ll want several in different fabrics. • * • Pattern No. 8989 is for sizes 34 . 38 . 38, 40. 42. 44. 46 and 48. Size 36. 3% yards of 35 or 39-lnch; 3ii yards trimming. To remove a fishy smell from dishes, soak them in salt water before washing them. Men’s shirt collars will fray less if turned up before being laun dered. —•— A lump of glossy starch rubbed over the grease* spot on the wall paper will absorb the grease. —•— There is more carotene in car rots that are in their prime than in young or old carrots. —•— Sit at work whenever you can. Tired backs and feet slow up work and make you less efficient. Much ironing can be done sitting as well as standing. Sit while you pare vegetables. Keep everything you need within easy reach and use your best tools for each task. 8989 34.48 Due to an unusually large demand and current conditions, slightly more time Is required In filling orders for a few of the most popular pattern numbers. Send your order to: 8EW1NO CIRCLE PATTERN DEPT. 530 South Wells St. Chicago 7, 111. Enclose 25 cents In coins for each pattern desired. Pattern No-Size Name_ Address_._ PS. You can also get this cereal in Kellogg’s VARIETY—6 different cereals, 10 generous packages, in one handy carton I ' Uina failures N° DC4S ^BECAUSE YEAST GOT WEAK Fleischmann’s Fast Rising Dry Yeast keeps for weeks on your pantry shelf If you bake at home—you can always depend on Fleischmann’s Fast Rising Dry Yeast to give you perfect risings . . . de licious bread . . . every time you bake! Ready for instant action—Fleischmann’s Faqt Rising keeps fresh and potent for weeks—lets you bake at a moment’s no tice! Don’t risk baking failures with weak yeast—get Fleischmann’s Fast Rising today. At your grocer’s.