The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1937-03-19
BEN AMES WILLIAMS

IAMs ., . PART TWO BEN
I CATION" Aunt K admitted. II do all
that. I'm like you. I took it up SO
I'd have something to think about,
so I'd not have time to be scared"
"You brought her in, this morning,
them" he asked in a sharp curiosity.
come in on the beam?"
Eyes. OF course, I had it timed too;
had DUR course checked. It vas rather
interesting" she added. There was
very little wind on the ground, but
more higher up. I had to keep watch
ing Duh drift and so on"
He looked at her curiously. Got a
drift indicator"
She shook her head. mot a real
one. I had them put a short glass
a swinging pointer, to check true
course against the planes axis, and
watch ground speed and so on"
Where did you get the idea?"
II made it up myself" she admitted.
Then Pat called from the other room:
Roger, you're int"
I'd like to hear about that some.
time II ss',i he said' rising reluctantly Aunt
I'm afraid you won't have much
time for me-" she told him.
His jaw frightened family, but Pat
called again, and he went away.
Sunday morning, two days later,
Aunt K woke to a warm and lovely
no haste to rise, remembering. These
two days had been, despite her ex-
pectations, deeply pleasurable, STIR
ring, memorable. Yet presently and
with a faint sense Of guilt she looked
across to where Pat was still asleep;
and there was trouble in her eyes.
She rose at last, softly so as not to
dressing room. Pat might sleep till she
should have gone downstairs. Aunt Z
But when she emerged from her
bath, Pat was at her dressing table,
lazily brushing her short hair. She
met the older woman's eyes in the
mirror and said:
ITS such a Beautiful day" Aunt K
Pat brushed and brushed. yes,
isn't it," she assented. Something
guarded in her tone. Have a pleasant
EVENING"" she inquired.
"Why-we just sat and talked" Aunt
K replied. Roger doesn't much care
do L"
Pat smiled family. why don't you
give him a break?" she asked, her
tone curiously edged. After ALL" Pat
pointed out, lit was me he came to
see; but I've hardly had ten minutes
with him. Whenever he speaks to you,
you fairly harpoon him."
Aunt K was crimson. But she said
nothing; and Pat laughed family.
Just think back, see if I'm not
right" she challenged. Friday after
noon you got him discussing naviga-
ton and broke up our bridge game.
Friday evening you penned him In q
corner like a butterfly against q wall.
You came along for our ride yesterday
and refused to follow Alice and Dan
and me in our gallop, 50 that he had
to stay behind with you. And you and
he didn't get home till lunch time.
! When you went sailing that afternoon,
you and he talked for three hours
about how compass swings average up
And last night at the club you both
| disappeared at ten o'clock and when
we were ready to come home you and
he had already started, in his car.
here"
Aunt K confessed contritely: I'VE
drove around for a WHILE"
THAT must have been thrilling Tor
him. Pat suggested, smiling. The older
woman thought Pat did even cruel
things so charmingly they left no
wound.
Il suppose not" she assented.
Pat asked q~uiZzically: 80 what,
darling? Protecting me from him, are
you? Really you needn't. He's not at
all dangerous to life or limb"
She added: Seriously, you don't
l mood fn n1ou Nhonar0n Amt I've
made up my mind about him, n
nothing you can say.
"You mean you're in love with him,
PATTI"
she confessed. And really, you ought
to give three cheers! Even from your
point of view, he's suitable. And safe!
you've hoped I'd marry some n who
would keep me from doing dangerous
things"
Aunt K stood by the window toward
| the sea. The sun still was shining,
yet she found it hard to believe this.
The morning which had seemed when
she awoke SO bright and glorious wore
now, despite the sun, a steely gray,
drab and depressing.
Has he decided about you, too, DO
you suppose?" she asked over her
shoulder, without turning.
He's had no chance" Pat reminded
her. "Or at least no chance to tell me
so. And of course, I haven't-turned
on the heat!" She laughed confidently,
happily. Its only a matter of oppor-
tunity," she declared. "So-give him
a break today, won't you dear? Let
him have a moment with me. He's
leaving early tomorrow. I want to
settle it before then"
Aunt K turned at last, smiling
steadily enough. Sorry, Pat" she said.
II suppose I've been thoughtless. What
had I better do? Snub the poor man?"
And she confessed: I'VE planned to
get up early today. before the rest
of you were stirring. He'll be down.
stairs waiting for me by now"
I'll go down." Pat decided. I'll
tell him you've one of your headaches"
II never have headaches"
I'VE all have headaches when we
choose" Pat reminded her. "YOu can