Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-01-15
CHAPTER LXH


Byrd hadn't taken time 20 wire
Pat, but had just packed up and
left. She smiled 10 herself in sntici-
patton Of the jolt Pat would get,
end Pat loved jolts. She had q
childish zeEt for surprises Of ali
kinds.
Pat had opened the hall door aft
er the buzzer sounded, and stood
with a look az inquiry in her esgvr.
bright eyes a. Byrd painted Up the
stairs with her bag.
GLORY, hallelujEhir she gasped.
When did you arrive.'
I'm still arriving" laughed Byrd.
Il got your letter yesterday and
could hardly wait for train time"
you OF skoe-and-stocking." said
Pat, delightedly. I'm just voory
with Joy!"
They Rugged again. Then Byrd
took off her things and they sat
down ard talked, as madly as racing
Fords.
Byrd described her visit home.
THE wicked flee when Henrietta
pursueth-with that tongue Of hers
said Byrd. shaking her head. "She
got swfullv suspicious because /
wasn't getting any letters from
Larry. And then whenever / cot
into hot water, You ought 10 have
seen the way dad lied ne out az Ill.
OF course. Re suspected right from
the beginning
I'D like to see anybody put any
thing over on dsdi' laughed Pat.
Then she looked grave. what did
dad think about it all? / suppose
he wanted 70 come right up to Cleve-
land and tell Larry where 10 head
in"
Not exactly" said Byrd, consider
ing the point OF her shoe with a
speculative eye, mo, strange as IL
may seem, he looked at the thing
from both sides and showed me
where | had made a few mistakes
myself"
"No!" said Pat. sstounded. "why.
the old mugwump. And what did
you tell him!'
Byrd gave her a sketchy account
OF their conversation
swell. / used 70 have the idea my
self that all husbands should be
stepped on, some on the neck and
some on the accelerator. but I've
changed my mind. too" rissled Pat.
ats Chef that's doing the stepping
around here. He told me IL / didn't
get busy and learn how 10 cook and
keep house he'd 60 to a club. A
word TO this wife was sufficient. |
got husy."
Byrd thought with amusement how
Pat used 10 i~rritate the family with
her constant impositions. She was
the bully Of the neighborhood. and
her meekness now seemed incredl-
Bile.
Before Byrd had gone 20 visit her
parents she told Pat about the baby
and had sworn her and Chef 70
secrecy just a. she had Tiny and
Fred.
II Just couldn't tell dad about
Frit5ie." she said. trying to speak
casually about the coming Of the
baby. but * was still such q novel
thought to her that hot and cold
shivers wiEgled up and down her
back.
Then she looked quickly away.
Whatever she thought Of the sd-
vent Of a son or q daughter. she was
reminded Of Larry. and the com
bination ~unncrved her.
Pat started TO say something and
stopped abruptly.
whats on your mind, s~hoeing?'
asked Byrd. humorously.
"Lsrry'x been staying with Us
week-ends while he and Fred have
been going sver Jacks affairs" Pat
began slowly.
-Yes.- inquired Byrd. trying to
conceal the eaEerness in her voice
she was bursting 10 Eet news az
him. How VI heT~
"~ImprovinE.r said Pat. emphati-
cally. Hes not worrying any more
about the Builders Supply. and he's
rut back the weight he lost He's
handsomer than ever
Byrd locked down quickly before
Pat could discover the slightly re-
Eentful look in her eyes.
Re vas growirs fat snd sueesss.