The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1934-05-04
Over the Bridge
Table
By SUZANNE SMITH
Q. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service

y. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service
UCERTAINLY you have heard that
~ Tom and Betty Linton have de-
cided to forget their matrimonial dis
putes and carry on together" said
Fanny Barton as she was dealing the
cards at the Wednesday afternoon
bridge club, meeting at her home.
I'm SO glad. 1t would have been
really tragic for them to separate with
that lovely boy of theirs"
"Yes, heard that they were recon
ciled. It happened at Atlantic City
last month, didn't 1t? When Betty
sent for Tom when the boy was mr.
Lets keep the conversation for
over the refreshments, girls" suggest
ed Hilda Downs.
Fanny Barton followed Hilda's
glance toward boy sitting reading.
"Why not run out and play, Jack"
suggested his aunt Fanny. 'Tll call
you when it's time for refreshments"
"Td rather read this book, Aunt
Fanny. And besides, mother or IA
ther might call and l want to be on
hand to talk to them"
Later on Hilda Downs said: "And
now for the inside facts about the
Lintons, while the refreshments are
being served. I'd like to hear all about
the case"
WELL" began Fanny Barton, 1T
certainly looked as though their mar
ried life was due for the divorce
courts. At flrst they were ideally
happy but then Tom made q lot Of
money and they stepped out. Later
came the crash, and then the trouble
started. Betty admits she was as
much to blame as her husband. She
had taken young Tom to Atlantic City
and they had planned divorce action
In the fall, and then Tom-the son
took q sudden turn for the worse
down there-you know he's always
been a delicate boy. Betty was pam
icky and telephoned Tom. The boy
was delirious and tossed around in
bed, and called for his father inces-
sanity. Tom went down Immediately
and they didn't leave the boys bed
side for several days until he began to
recuperate. He begged them to take
him home and for them to stay there
with him. That was the first time
that either Tom or Betty realized that
Tom Junior knew about their planned
separation. 1t impressed both Of
them great deal and they decided
to try getting on together for young
Toms sake"
Cora came in with the refreshments
and as she passed the boy, absorbed
in his reading, she whispered: Fruit
punch, sandwiches and cakes for you
Jack. Shall / bring them in here, u
will you eat them on the porch?
The boy closed his book and smiled
up at his aunt's maid: "No, Cora,
think I'll take them in the kitchen. It
will save you lot Of trouble"
When Jack had left the women for
his refreshments in the kitchen, his
aunt spoke. II do hope Jack was too
interested in his reading to hear what
I said about the Lintons. You prob
ably know that his parents-my broth
er Joe and Belle-are having the same
trouble. He realizes that things are
upset at home and is very sensitive
about 1t. That troubled look in his
eyes almost breaks my heart"
At dinner that evening, Jack an
nounced to his aunt and uncle that he
would like to 60 home.
Uncle Harry can drop me at the
corner Of our street and will surprise
mother and father. I'm not feeling SO
well and I think I'd better go home."
1t was just little after seven the
next morning when the telephone rang
and the voice that reached Fanny was
excited
tits Belle, Fanny. IL just couldn't
wait to tell you. Jack was sick last
night but he's much better this morn
ing, thank goodness. Joe sat up all
night holding him and he's giving him
his breakfast now. 1t was SO strange
and sudden. We called the doctor
and he couldn't find anything wrong
with Jack. but he tossed from one side
of the bed to the other and acted
delirious. He kept calling for both Of
us and he didn't get to sleep until
some time after midnight. Neither
Joe nor slept wink all night but
he slept soundly until six this morn
Ing. But Fanny, what do you suppose
he said, just before he dozed OF last
night?
''He said: If you love me and want
to keep me, II you don't want me to
be sick, then you both must stay right
here with me-all the time Oh,
Fanny, to think" and Bellies voice
broke in a sob.
'And now what?" prompted her Sis
ter-in-law amiably.
Joe and / have talked everything
over. We talked and talked last night
while we sat in Jacks bedroom watch
ing him. And we realize that we've
been sort of selfish as far as Jack Is
concerned. We've gone along sort Of
blindly, guess, not realizing that our
quarrels were useless and stupid Any
way we decided for Jacks sake we'd
make strong effort to forget all our
Iii L.