Evening star., 1928-12-23

and now'S my chance. I could do some
extension work without needing to take
examinations"
What do you want to take?"
She looked at him guilelessly.
You're a graduate. You tell me.
You know who the best professors are
He not only knew, but he seemed to
catalogue she had obtained and pored
over 1t.
Now, Scudder's just a dunderhead,' -
said Jerry, but you really ought to have
a few lectures with Stowe in modern
history. He's wonder, you know"
1t was marvellous evening.
"Of course, you may not be interest
ed" said Jerry, "but If you are going to
take up history you ought to brush up
your knowledge of geography. too.
There's man down there now-Bacon,
think his name iS-I've always wished
could hear his lectures on the new
| tell me what he says, will you, sweet
hearth"
The strange impersonality of class
room CT extension students was the first
thing that struck Phyllis, the sense of
being finally out of the tiny world that
surrounded her household There were
the clear, sharp lectures of professors
who assumed her mind was fit to follow
| theirs, the finding out that it wasn't
and trying to sharpen it to make it
adequate. There were mornings when
Phyllis was hardly conscious of her own
name. She was in the midst of world
struggles, determining the boundaries of
new countries. Then the day would be
over-such part of it as she dared to
| take from her mother-and she would
go home to talk about it with Jerry, ana
much of what had been obscure came
clear to her. Occasionally she could
tell Jerry something he did not know,
and that was far from unpleasant.
** X
THE weeks flew by and the Spring
came-March soggily and then
April and finally early May, when the
children were coming home.
It was exactly seven days before the
children were to arrive when Jerry
came home one night rather nervous
cycling his wife as if he had news on
his mind which bothered him.
vSweetheart," he said, for it was no
longer mother" I've got to go West
next week"
"Oh. Jerry. not before the children
Gomez"
Il must. They're going to let me
handle the Bergamot case"
Jerry! They've always had special
counsel on cases like that" She knew
what he was talking about now.
That's the reason can't hesitate.
It means a month out there perhaps,
bat it's got to be done"
"a month, Jerry! That's a perfect
shame"
Eyes, but if I put it over my reputa-
ton is made. wish you could come
with me. Phyllis"
1T wish I could But, of course, with
the children just coming home it's out
of the question"
"Oh, of course" he said rather guilt
lily, "but I am going to miss you
We've had such nice time this Win
ter, even without the children. 1t
hasn't been nearly so bad as I'd feared,
having them away"
NO" she agreed thoughtfully.
Suddenly Jerry frightened.
by the way" he Said fishing in his
pocket. Just after this thing came
through today and was feeling pretty
good went into Sparling's to have my
watch crystal fixed. and I saw some
thing there that thought looked like
you. So I blew myself to it."
He pulled fiat box out of his pocket
dAu AdIluCU ~ W A4eA' 1AJ hAe opChSO IL
excitedly.
"Jerry!" she cried, lifting the dia-
mond pin from its velvet cushion, "are
you joking!"
"Jokingl" said Jerry. Haven't the
right to give present to my wife once.
in a while?'
Phyllis looked at him gravely. the
diamond sparkling in her open hand.
The present somehow reinStated her as
an individual, made her personally dear
again.
will have Ella. She Is wonderful They
got along without us for four months.
They ought to be able to get along for
another month when it is so important.
There1l be your mother-and mine-to
take charge here. We will be back for
the wedding"
You don't mean you think you'll
come along!" asked Jerry.
IT hate to leave my work at the uni
versity. But, after all, next Winter I'll
60 on with that"
Jerry looked like small boy on the
edge Of adventure.
you're sure you want to come?
You're sure you won't be too lonely for
She sighed It wasn't easy. 1t was
never going to be easy
I'm learning to do it" she said, "an-
other month ought to complete the
course. And, besides being the chill
dren'S mother, happen to be my hus-
bands wife F"
you're a wonderful human being"
Jerry told her, "that's what you arel'
Mrs. Morgan, Jerrys mother. stood on |,
the veranda of the house at Miami with |
telegram In her hand and an odd |
amused smile on her face.
Look here, Robert" she called to her |
husband, that idea Of mine seems to !