Smyrna times., 1932-10-26
"PICNICS AND PANICS"
BY Corona Remington

even if you don't get to take some
to the picnic"
II won't want any Of it." an
swered Lucy in a muffled voice.
"Now, child, you mustn't take on
that way"
But, mother, it isn't just an ordi-
nary picnic that's making me so
upset. You know Arthur and have
had a scrap, and his asking me to
go with him tomorrow made me
think he was willing to make up.
what times he coming?"
HE said in his letter he'd drive
over about ten"
It'll turn out all right in the
end. Don't worry, child. Land
sakesl How do you reckon you'll
ever get through life a-fretting and
worryin' the way you DO about
every little thing?"
"But it isn't a little thing" Lucy
protested miserably.
The rest Of the day was filed
with preparations for the picnic and
Saturday afternoons tasks, and it
was late that night when at last
the family could go to bed. Every
body was soon asleep except Lucy,
who lay wide awake on her back
staring into the darkness and
listening to the softly falling rain;
the drip, drip, drip of the caves
gave her no chance to forget, and
the next morning was one solid gray
mass of murky clouds and fog.
Lucy tried to keep the tears
back when she went down.
my, my, child! You'd think this
was the end Of the world. Go put
on your good frock and your best
smile and look your prettiest when
he comes. You can entertain him
in the parlor and ask him to dinner.
It'll turn out all right. You see If
it don't"
The girl finally took her mothers
advice and became quite thrilled as
the time for her lovers arrival ap-
preached. The time came, how
ever, but no Arthur Watson; eleven
and twelve passed in the same way.
At one Lucy rushed to her room and
locked herself in, refusing her din
ner
Late in the afternoon Mrs. Oliver
ventured upstairs. Honey, maybe
he expected you to answer his let
ter" she suggested through the
door.
mo, he didn't" came back in re-
ply, because he said If l didn't
write he'd take it to mean | was
willing to co."
It was the next day that Mr..
Oliver decided to take matters in
his own hands.
When Oliver walked into the Of
fee where Watson was one of the
many cogs in big wheel, he was
Immediately offended by the young
mans urbane manner. 1t was high
" unbecoming to one with a guilty
conscience.
want to speak to you." said
Oliver gruffly.
"Sure thing" Watson replied,
putting down his pen.
Il just wanted to say one thing.
You can't break dates with my gal"
Break dates? What're you talk
Ing about? I haven't broken any
dates with Lucy"
Maybe you didn't write to her
and ask her to that picnic over to
Hampden yesterday" broke in
Oliver.
"Why, I wrote TO her. but haven't
mailed the letter yet. The picnic's
next Sunday. See, the letters right
here in my pocket" Watson dived
into his pocket, then his face be-
came blank and sheepish express
sion spread over 1t. He put his
hand to his head In an effort to
think.
IL must have mailed it with
some other letters" he explained
weakly. II wrote it ahead because
II was sort Of anxious, and
planned to keep it until about to-
morrow. Do you think she'll for
give me?"
"She's pretty mad" grinned
Oliver once more in good humor. Il
reckon you better come over tonight
and try to make up with her."
"You bet I will. and I'll fill the
car with American Beauties, too.
But it's just my luck" groaned Wat
son in a panic, "and / was planning
toto" He flushed and stopped
short.
It was a very cool young girl who
received Watson that evening-cool
outwardly, but all a fiutter within.
she had decided to make him suffer
for the suffering he had caused her,
but 1t was only a moment until she
was weeping on his shoulder.
"Oh, Arthur, you hurt me So" she
sobbed.
"But. honey, don't you know ]
wouldn't have done 1t for anything
on earth? I'VE been nearly crazy
since / found II out"