Voice from the Cave

MY W

ed road enroute to Sunset Beach. In the back seat, firmly we

d, interrupting an animated conversa

ossed over his shoulder. "We can't ma

ch somewhere a

blisher asked. He turned toward his com

e replied in a bored manner. "Perhaps we

d such a good lunch," P

camp," Mr. Parker decided briskly

been pushed far into the background. Mrs. Deline had made no attempt to talk to her. On the

n a word, "just before you came home th

he inquired

er heard before came in. The announcer said: 'Atte

a juvenile

ion. Then the announcer spoke very rapidly in a languag

do get ideas, Penny. Especially when you

n quaint?" Mrs.

ept silent. A child indeed! She knew now that Mrs. Deline

. "For that matter, so did Mrs. Weems and L

dow. Immediately Mrs. Deline protested that the wind was blowing her hair helter-skelter. At a

lease," request

very, very difficul

in the least spoiled. In Riverview where she had lived for fifteen happy, eventful years, her friends were beyond count. Penny

hought ruefully. "I shouldn'

isher had devoted himself to filling the great void in the girl's life. He had given her companionship and taught her

im at the Riverview Star, writing and obtaining some of the paper's most spectacular front page stories. Only the past

treat me as if I were a child

ghts to herself. Curling up with her head o

She was surprised to see that it had grown quite dark. The autom

he asked, pressing h

ather. "We're running into a

fternoon sun. Even as Mr. Parker spoke, several

red. Stopping suddenly for a crossroads traffic light, the car went into a

e?" she pleaded. "I'm so af

rker agreed. "The storm i

of buildings. One was a filling station and besi

pulling up close to the door. "We'll have di

took the car next door to the filling station to have the tank ref

ver," he reported. "And we stil

our camp site tonight, Dad

set Beach. As for making camp

raining soon," Penny

nd an hour was consumed in dining. The ra

said thoughtfully. "Of cour

Penny could speak. "I know I am being silly, but I'm so afraid of an ac

plied. "If we can't reach Sunset Beach

miled, Penny was sure that the idea appealed to her. Taking her father

ad. Even now we'll lose almo

we can," he promised. "This

ut improved, Mr. Parker made inquiry as to lodging for the night. F

to Penny and Mrs. Deline. "If we wait much longer

age a room and a bath for me. Preferably one at

Mr. Parker told her regretfully. "

el clerk, and returned to report tha

hare one together," he explai

However, she consented to the arrangement and the luggage was taken upstairs. The doo

dow exclaimed petulantly. "And I do

er over-night bag. Crossing to t

eline ordered. "I detest a

wered th

allowing the ashes to fall on the bed. Gett

ike a prison," she complained. "Wh

g," Penny apologized. "If you'

another cigarette and then began to prepare for bed. As she removed the jacke

nament!" she exclaimed. "Is

he widow answered without

Have you

e. Without removing the pin or offering to show it

t there came a lig

!" Mr. Par

is it?" Penny le

d through the transom. "You didn't by chan

g on the table. I picked them up and forgot to tell

em. I was just afraid th

ey ring on the dresser. She remarked t

to Dad at the time

mfortable sleep. Mrs. Deline presently turned out the light and took the other bed. For

sed and moonlight was flooding into the room. A beam fell directly ac

ly believing her eye