The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-11-01

Inc telephone SnTllleu, anu
Frances FASTENED inside.
A gay voice shot over the wire.
Lo, honey. Just gotta minute to
tell You W e'reabout to become
famous. Mr. Tyne twisted his
wrist, and he wants me to
drive"
wait, Gary" Her throat was
cramping. Say it again, slowly" "
Gary repeated the news with d
chuckle.
"Can you imagine it. honey?
Me driving Number Three. She's
the slickest buggy here. And what
a chance for you and me-"
Frances mind was Keeling. Gary
was only the mechanic who &C.
companied Mr.. Tyne in the races.
And while Mr.. Tyne had shining
record without a mishap, Frances
had always waited in shaky doubt.
But this was worst. Far worse.
Gary had had no experience on
the track at dizzying speeds. Could
he handle the wheel?
She heard her voice echo, "A
chance for us?"
FINE CHANCE
"Of course" he assured her.
IF I win we'll be able to have all
Y those things we've wanted for so
long"
1T wouldn't matter if we had
to keep on waiting. We've been
happy, Gary" Frances told him
through tight lips. Then deS
perately, "Couldn couldn't Mr..
Tyne get some one elSe?"
zz"Frances"
She had said the wrong thing.
Gary wanted to race. 1t was in
bis blood like wild, hot flame.
Somehow, Frances had always
known, but she had refused to face
the truth. Now, what had been
pressing her heart like a choking
weight had struck.
A vague little bell in her mind
warned her that he must not sense
her fear. In some way, it might
affect him, dangerously.
It might unsteady his nerves,
dull his wits, and he'd need taut
nerves, sharp wits, this afternoon.
He was talking: You don
mean that you want me to show
the white feather! I couldn't back
out now"
She interrupted him, quietly. Il
wouldn't want you to, dear. II
just thought perhaps some one
else, closer to Mr.. Tyne, might
have been sighted. When you're
excited you never think of things
like that"
"Oh," he laughed instantly. mo,
there's no one"
Fine" Frances breathed, feel
ing her throat close.
I'VE go on the track at $780," he
told her brightly. wish me luck,
honey. And tell Gary Junior I'm
going to try to make him proud
of his old man." The receiver
clicked.
Frances put down the instru,
ment, and glanced at the clock,
Almost three now.
GNAWING DREAD
Or, to do omething-Someth
besides sit here with her fingers
clenched together until they hurt
with her eyes burning with unshed
tears.
She had borne pain and ever
poverty when Gary had been out
Of a job for over a year, but II
had been nothing beside this gnaw
ing dread that twisted within he1
now.
The minutes moved on in still
ness that pressed and smothereC
her. She wished that the baby
would wake up in a temper and
howl to the high skies.
Tell Gary Junior I'm going to
try to make him proud of his old
man."
Frances swayed to her feet, and
went into the tiny nursery. The
baby was sleeping peacefully with
a chubby hand tucked under wild
rose cheek.
win or lose" Frances breathed
paSSionately, send baby'S daddy
home safely
Suddenly, she gritted her teeth
She mustn't think any more. She
was acting like a fool. She'd
she'd select pattern for that blue
crepe.
"a pleated, shirred cape with
fitted yoke of blue silk novelty
sheer, over matching dress
The fashion book slapped against
the opposite wall. What did she
care about pleateG, shirred capes
What did she care about anything,
save Gary in the hurting devil
car.
If only she had insisted that he
try to borrow the money to start
a garage, instead of taking job
with Mr.. Tyne until they had saved
the necessary amount.
If only she hadn't let Gary be
cautious about finances and proud
this would never have happened
A thought Scurried into her mind
like mouse in dark cellar. Sup
pose Gary should win and return
to her. safely
That wouldn't be the end of this
horror. The fever of victory would
be in his pulses like a chronic dis
ease.
He'd probably become a profes
Sional. And :lWayS there'd be this
dread and panic for her,