The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1929-11-22

She went up to the office,
opened the door and stopped
short. Richard was sitting at
his desk -- huddled down, his
fists against his cheeks.
She was half across the room
before he heard her. He raised
his head slowly, but when he
! saw Pat he sprang to his feet.
y what brings you here to in
Nerrupt my inspirations"
"Sociability. 7 was shopping
and dropped in. Thought you
might. like an elegant lady
chauffeur to drive you home.
You're surely finished with your
work by now"
She kept looking at her faith
er's flushed face and hot eyes.
She touched his hands,, They
were very cold. .
He grinned when she did
that.
''But you don't feel right, do
you?"
zine. Just went out and had
O steam and q rub. Finished
up the best piece Of work I've
done in months. Brain just
seemed to glow. Ever get keyed
I'D SO that you can do three
times your average output? So
you'll be pleased to drive me
home?"
He went over to the closet,
took down his hat. Then he
stood with his hands clenched
to the wash basin. He saw that
Pat watched him and that she
had q strained, anxious look.
'"Your nose Is shiny, Pat! And
you've got q big black mark on
your chin"
He very carefully adjusted his
hat.
Mechanically Pat went to the
closet, took down an old over
coat. ''Put this on"
mo, 7 win not"
dad - please. You're shak-
"Pat, you're a fool! Were
you burying me all day? And
that's what landed you up
here?"
But he let her boss him.
And when they were in the car
he slumped down and pulled
the. big coat about him.
pat, I know what happened.
Yoil went tn a hy0iene lecture.
and they gave you a lurid pic
ture Of the ills that come from
neglected colds"
Fat grinned. 'You can't make
me mad, old thing, by feeling
clipper. And you ARE work
ing too hard. And you've got
ten thin, and you look awfully
TIRED. You need a vacation"
Richard smiled. "I'll tell you
0 secret, Pat. When you came
In, 7 was planning vacation
q royal vacation. Listen, I'm
going up to Sacramento on
Saturday. You know to do
those panels for the Grunnel
department store. I'll make q
big penny at that. And there's
another job of some murals for
an automobile concern. I'm
going to try and land that.
IT can, I'm sure. Then it's
off on the briny deep for your
mother and I. Shall you let us
20, Pat? I've been wanting a
trip on the sea since I was q
boy-a very young boy. I want
to get on a ship and be far out
In the waters. And I want to
stand at the foot Of vast noun
tains, Pat, and look up at them.
I'd like to wander over the
deserts immortal isolation. I
want to do these things now
before it gets too late"
Pat glanced at her father. He
had his head resting on the
cushions. His voice had the
tang and wistfulness Of youth.
"You sound like a poet, Dad.
Have you hungered for things
like this for 20 whole years?
But we can have them now
Pat"
Saturday morning Pst drove
her father to the station. Don't
work too hard, will your"
with all my wimmen left at
home, I'll do as I please"
He stood on the train steps
and waved to her.
In the middle Of the week
Richard 'phoned. Pat, sitting in
the living-room, heard her
mothers voice. It grew more
and more eager until it was
just bubbling with excitement.
Richard, are you testing?
Honolulu Or the Canal? You
want me to be ready to leave
when you come. In a week."
Pat grabbed the phone from
her mothers hand. She sank
into it: Dad, you've bowled
her over. She thinks you're
tuneful, I guess. But you're
not, are you? Did you land
that other iob?"
After q moment she handed
the receiver back to her mo-
ther. She said with lighted JOY,
"He's o. K. And he's serious.
You're gotng!"
Pa,,~.a 80 hash a. kha NS,