The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1936-04-03

- molly SET tine CaDle mechanically.
Chiseler watched her mockingly out Of
his little eyes.
"That's final then, baby?"
Molly didn't look at him, but she
said, "That's final, Chiseler. It's been
final for you ever since I first saw
Jimmy" The blue bows on her apron
trembled violently as she moved from
cupboard to table, Chiseler noticed.
Two knives, two forks, two spoons.
Molly finished her task. She said,
"That was long time ago, Chiseler.
And Jimmy and me-we haven't had
any trouble yet over this jealousy,
I mean" She turned and knocked her
little fist on the wooden door jamb be-
side her. Chiseler laughed again.
"Superstitious piece, If ever I saw
one! With your wood scratchings and
your the-thirteenths and the
devil only knows what. I'll bet the
practical minded Jimmy just loves all
that"
Molly sighed. "Yeah. How Jimmy
doesn't love itr'
Jimmy coming home for supper?"
Molly answered, mo, he's working
late shift now" Then she saw Chiseler
looking at the table. "For Gods sake,
Chiseler, don't tell Jimmy about this.
I meant wasn't noticing what was
doing"
This time Chiseler didn't laugh,
which was worse.
Another boy friend, eh?" He got up
to go.
Molly cried, "Chiseler-" but he was
out the door.
Jimmy looked up when he felt some
body standing beside him. People
weren't supposed to get in to talk to
you while you were working. Even If
you were foreman.
Chiseler said, tits Molly. You'd bet
ter lay off and come see."
"Molly?" Jimmy's face went white.
Then his eyes darkened, and his fist
lifted just noticeably in the general
direction Of Chiseler's chin. "All right.
Molly. Tell me quick what's the mat
ter with her. Tell me next how you
happen to know"
Chiseler lodged. saw, Jimmy" he
whined, don't get sore at me. I'm
only telling you for your own good"
So that was it! Jimmy looked at
the fist that was ready for action. She
wasn't hurt, then, or anything. Let
the fool have his way.
Its another guy, Jimmy. She was
cooking supper for him." t-r,
Another foreman sauntered up.
Jimmy said, "Sorry, fella, but my wife's
sick. This bird just told me. I'll have
to CO." He didn't wait for the fore
mans reply. He and Chiseler had left.
They went to the fiat and into the
kitchen. Chiseler stared at the table.
Set for one. Jimmy stared, too.
Jimmy cried, "Molly!" in a voice
Chiseler didn't know. A voice that
ble-set for one.
Chiseler licked his lips. Wondered
what it was all about Molly came to
the door between the rooms. She cried,
JIMMY"
Jimmy didn't look at her. He went
on looking at the table. He said, zone
plate, one knife, one fork. And you
saying to Mrs. Murphy across the hall,
not thinking I was hearing, because
you always think you're hiding your
superstition from me, so help me
God, as long as I love Jim, his plate
sits opposite mine at table. Otherwise
me not expecting him, like, no telling
what night he'll not be coming home
what night the morguell get itself one
more new tenant"
Jimmy! JIM couldn't have you
knowing. You hating all such things.
I'm foolish, Jimmy, but"
"Never mind" said Jimmy, "'As long
as love Jim,' you said. And now one
plate, and wishing, probably, I'd come
home dead this night"
Suddenly Molly laughed. There was
relief in that laugh, and hysteria, and
lots of things. She said, "Oh, that |!
It's good joke on you, Jimmy. And
Chiseler, too. I did that with my fin
gers crossed, after Chiseler left, so no
other busybody would come in and pry.
I'm eating in here, Jimmy" She pushed
the door wider into the inner room, so
they could see. "And the tables set
for two"
Chiseler, looking slightly dazed,
started for the door, but Jimmy beat
him to it. Sorry, fella, but 1 came
up here intending to knock somebody
silly. And guess it'll have to be YOU"