Evening star., 1928-09-09
A LOBSTERMAN IN LOVE
By Royal Bromn
An Important Decision About Life and Its Sequel.

clad she had come nevertheless and
lmpulsively offered him hsr hand.
Don't. please. tell either my off,
spring or her guest that I've been hsre."
she asked. Particularly not my off,
spring"
Il shan't," he promised. giving her
hand a firm pressure. And please
don't tell either your offspring or your
guest-particulariy your guest-that
you doubt my authenticity. That would
spoil everything"
I'm tempted to ask why" smiled
jean.
Please DON'T" he replied.
4 ND with no more than that. Jean
& returned home She drove slowly,
tfoughtfully, and arrived to discover
Pat preparing Thelma's breakfast.
Squeezing orange Juice while bread
Drowned in the toaSter Yet not as one
who performs a subtly sacred rite.
"Darn!" exclaimed Pat. as Jean en-
tered the kitchen. That's the second
piece Of toast that's burned!'
She teaped for the toaster, removed
the smoking slice, and all but hurled
it toward the sink. Then she halted,
considered the toast.
| "TTl scrape it--she won't know the
difference" she announced.
There was no rose on the tray that
went up to Thelma's room that morn
ir-. But there was a telegram for
Tileillla
Il hope it's not bad news commented
Jean.
"Oh. her family always wires her
they're too busy or lazy to write"
Yet presently there came wall OF
anguish from above.
ssHer grandmother has died and she's
got to go home to the funeral, ex-
planned Pat, reappearing.
"Ol1, how too bad" commented Jean.
"Was--was she very fond OF ner
grandmother"
No" retorted Pat fatty. She isn't
fond of any of her family. She
she saws this world would be much
more satisfactory place if We were all
Matched from eggs and could live as we
choose. She's just sore because shes
been vanpng Pete and has got to go
away, Just as it's getting interesting
know herr
AT last" jean might have replied, but
wisely forbore.
Tn anv event, the abrupt termination
kof the visit was not sheer gain. For
there was no question In Jeans MIND
now that Pat was jealous of Petes In
terest in Thelma. Having talked to Pete
herself, Jean could understand wnat nao
happened to Pat.
TheIma's impending departure pro-
vided diversion of sorts, however. AT
little after ii Pat nlotCred her friend
ssationward
Presently Pat returned. She was pre-
occupied and stood with her slim back
to her mother, looking at the ocean.
| Are YOU going out with Fet7 today?'
asked her mother. presently.
Pat turned swiftly. And, Fough her
face might suggest that life was bur-
den, it certainly did not suggest 1t was
a bore.
MOP" she retorted explosively. Il
/ guess I'll go for a swim"
Jean let her CO. What could she
say? There were certain subjects that
she knew could not be discussed with
mere parent.
The morning moved on, noon passed
and Annie announced that luncheon
was ready jean glanced out on the
beach, but Pat was nowhere In sight.
oh, we'll, lunch would be the least
of her interests" she assured herself
She probbaly has had her swim and
gone for long walk"
| nevertheless. she IldQ htt4S dppCtlte
somehow. And, after luncheon, she
found herself glaneing out of the win
dow again and again, as she moved
around the living room.
| A sheet of paper lay on the floor
She bent to retrieve it and, glancing at
it, read:
From too much love of living,
From hope and fear set free"
jeans first reaction was, We'll. let's
hope that phase has passed" And then
almost unconsciously she glanced at
the clock. Half nast two! Where could
Pat be Sitting sulktly in the shade OF
scn1e sand-dllne. fighting out her
battle9 SO reason assured Jean. Yet she
felt sickening panic. Surprising
"She wouldn't-couldn't dream OF
such a thing" Jean assured herself
mo normal young person would. Don't
be ridiculous
Eventually Pat would return She
must. Scornful of hcr mothers worry