Smyrna times., 1932-01-06
WEEKLY SOCIETY STORY FOR
EVENING ROUND THE LAMP
READING TO WHILE AWAY
TIME AFTER DAYS CHORES
George and the South Seas An
Interesting Short Story, Written
by I'll. Louis RayboId

ndHcee, pretty Sarah MakeDeace.
mad her own loving ways of occu-
plying his evenings and his office
hours were frequently punctuated
by telephone calls arranging to meet
MIN for lunch or downtown after
work on this errand and that. And
because George really loved her and
knew in advance what a capable.
thrifty little wife she was some day
going to be to him, he never thought
OF protesting that her apron strings
were bit firing.
Never, that is, until that memoir
able night when they real aloud to
one another a fascinating story of
the ever alluring South seas.
When George had kissed Sarah
good night three times, he turned
slowly homewards. Thoughtfully,
too. For the first time it struck
him that there were distant lands
to be seen.
He neither was free to 90, nor
had the money. as far as that went.
Both he and Sarah, who gave music
lessons in between being engaged
to him. were saving every possible
cent towards a nest egg on which
to marry.
When George reached his home,
ne found slipped under his door a
white envelope addressed to him.
self in handwriting only family IA
miliar. Curiously, he opened it. and
read the letter that was enclosed.
My dear nephew''-so read the
letter
I'm not dead vet nor thinking
Of dying. But I'm playing the dead
aunt to my heirs. That is, I'm Civ
ing away now what you'd probably
get later, each one of you. Please
spend it to crafty some secret
wish"
Attached to the inner sheet by a
wire clip was folded check for
$1,000.
II was significant that George did
not at once telephone the good
news. In way. it made their
marriage an immediate possibility.
and surely one would expect an
engaged young mans secret desire
would lie in that direction.
On the contrary. several days
went by and still George said moth
ing TO Sarah of the windfall. If he
appeared distract the very next
time he saw her, she gave no out
ward sign of noticing the fact.
To tell the truth. George was an
enigma to himself Here for months
he had been longing to marry Sarah
and now, at the instance of a silly /
yarn dealing largely with beating
surf and honey-colored moons and |
dusky maidens. he was yearning to |
take little trip all by himself and
postpone settling down for a year
or two. His unexpected legacy
SCI med to render legitimate this de-
sire. vet how could he explain TO
Sarah?
The obvious thing to do would be 1
to get married and then, if he must /
blow the money in such a way, make 4
the journey in Sarah's company. He
loved Sarah, he was insanely jeal-
GUS if Sarah looked sidewise at any,
one else, and yellow he wanted
this last mad fling of irresponsible
yan+h .,lI ~ I,:yoeoIfy
Suddenly he made up his mind
to get il over with. He opened
his mouth shut it. cleared his
throat and was about to speak
when Sarah. laying down her work,
leaned forward and regarded him.
George" she said solemnly, IT
something to tell you. It's hard to
say, but-well, I've changed my
mind about settling down, I'd like
to go somewhere. do something, see
"See somebody" echoed George,
feeling as if the bottom of things
were falling out.
~ hOuuCO odIdus anu lIllO
her eyes came a PARKWAY ecstatic
Sometimes | dream of
distant lands where the off-shore
surf beats on the coral reefs. where
moons rise out Of
velvet ocean. and strong, bronzed
men in spotless suits, white helmets
and Victoria crosses on their
chests"
"Sarahl" by this time George had
'isen. Then, with an effort to swal-
ow his indignation, Just how
would you do all this?" he asked.
WELL" said Sarah. I've nearly
| thousand dollars ] was saving to-
wards the house and"
And you'd use that !"
Perhaps when ! came back" said
Sarah gently. I'D not mind marry
ng you. But first-oh, | want one
asst fling" Rising, she threw her
lender arms towards the ceiling.
Then she found herself seized and
Ter arms falling. fell on Georges
houlder.
sarah" he was saying sternly.
Enough of this nonsensel I've lust