The Washington times., 1936-02-18

wasn't your mother. Didn't /
make that clear before?"
"Oh, yes. I understand that. It's
the way I feel apout her. ] won't
have anything against her come
out In court-not II I never get
q nickel"
He was a patient, kindly man,
but he had spent time and money
on this case. What's more, he
had given up an afternoon Of golf
at the wildwood club to come
out here to talk to her.
I'm afraid it's q little late to
assume such an attitude. Please
believe I am working in your best
interests and leave it all to mel"
He left brusquely, leaving her
alone with her new, disturbing
fears.
Christie wanted to talk things
over with Donald, but she couldn't
bring herself to do it. He thought
she was sentimental about Mimi
anyway, and he told her, over and
over again, that the entire case was
likely to take more courage than
she'd have.
"You don't know me-" she'd said
hotly. 81 may be sort Of shy, but
when I have to do things I can do
them. Remember the time I went
to st. Johns Hospital and talked
to the superintendent Of nurses
when I wanted Q job there? My
knees were positively knocking to-
gether, but made myself do 1t.
"And it certainly took courage
to 60 to Aunt Nettie the way I did.
Why, I'd rather face q dozen courts
than go through THAT again. Be
sides I'm like Dad-I'm q fighter"
He had smiled, q little sadly.
Perhaps we're all brave IN our
own way. It's when we're called
upon to be brave in q way We were
not expecting, that we Smash!"
She knew that he was thinking
Of himself. He had been brave
enough to give up time and money
and strength to work on that
theory Of his. He hadn't minded
having people tell him he was
crazy, or being poor, or risking his
health. He'd have died for the
cause, If necessary. It was this
other thing-the notoriety, the ur-
fair criticism, that was proving too
much for him.
Her arms had gone around him,
comfortably.
"I know Il know" she had
Hnurmured.
But she hadn't know at all. She
was Just finding out now.
She had thought that 1t would
take courage and patience to work
with Mr.. Pierce on his documents
and plans. Catching the bus, going
down to his office day after day,
with Donny in her arms wasn't
easy. She had been prepared to
face Aunt Nettie and all the world,
in court. To stand up before them
and tell her story, bravely.
But this-this was different. How
could she let them draw the ghost
Of the fragile, lovely Mimi into q
crowded, sordid court room? Have
her labeled dance hall girl-good-
time girl-perhaps worse?
And how could she give it UP now
without offering to pay for the
work that Pierce had already put
into it? And where would she get
the money to pay?
She got out the, silver set that
had been MINIS, cried a little over
the photograph of her in the Merry
Widow hat, and even tried to get
Pierce on the telephone to tell him
that no matter what happened, he
wasn't to drag Mimi into it, and
that was final. But he was out OF
town, the office said, and besides,
the case had been postponed again.
She worried still, whenever she
thought Of it. But Donny cut his
third tooth, learned to say "bye-
bye" and "Donny" plain as plain;
he had his first birthday party,
with one pink candle in the cake
and ice cream for Walt and Sis
ter Woods and even a taste for
Donny himself. Somebody gave
Donald tickets for the symphony:
the Whitelys had a dinner party
and the guest Of honor, a certain
famous DR.. Schumann, simply
monopolized Donald, he was so
interested in the latest expert
ment.
ITO be COntinued)
Copyright. 1888. BY King Features
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