The Washington times., 1938-01-12

He opened the door Of his
mothers home and called greet
ings. trying to appear cheerful anc
confident.
Alice, his little sister, came fly
ing to meet him.
"Oh, Jeff, Sally called up to say
that supper on the beach would
be at seven, and you should get
there a little earlier. Can I go
too?"
Wait a moment-wait a mo-
ment," Jeff begged. Mrs. Shep'
hard came from the wide side
porch. Come in here, jeff" she
invited. Its really COOL"
Coolest place I've struck TO-
day." he said, sinking into chair.
ANY success, dear?" she asked
after silence.
mo, but I'm not discouraged
yet"
Il should say not" vigorously.
"It's only that a man doesn't
want to wait too long before he
finds his place in the world"
"At twenty-four, his mother be.
gan again, when Alice interrupted.
"Oh, Jeff. old Bill was in today
from the farm"
WOULD SELL FARM
"He was" Mrs. Sheppard took
up the story. said he'd like to
talk to you, but couldn't wait.
He was in to see man about
some special seed, think. I'd like
to tell him the farm is an incubus.
I wish you could sell it, jeff"
Father loved it and left 1t to
me. He held on to it through
everything; he made real sacrifices
to keep it in the family"
Il shared in those sacrifices,
Jeff, don't forget that"
Il suppose so, mother" Though
he couldn't feel sympathetic. She
might never have had luxuries, but
she had always had this pleasant
home all her own, and sufficient
income to live on in comfort.
"Old Bill feels great pride in
being tenant farmer who hasn't
gone under" Jeff said; I'D hate
to see his pride weakened"
Perhaps it would be unkind. He
says they're surveying for roads
half a mile away from the farm,
and he thought this would make
it easier to get produce marketed.
HE wants to make something
Of the orchard, too. But then I've
heard all that before"
Jeff's mind went back to two
summers ago when his father was
still alive and they had visited the
farm, where in the cool of the
evening they had walked through
the fields.
They had talked mostly of trees
and their fruits, of black earth
and its significance to all life, and
for the first time jeff understood
what grief it meant to his father
to give up this place when he mar
ried a city girl who could not en-,
dure life in the country.
jeff felt stirring within him a
love for this spot that had been
his fathers birthplace and his
father before Alice's voice
brought him back. Can I go with
you, Jeff"
Whats Alice teasing about?"
Mrs. Sheppard asked.
II want to go to the picnic with
him"
Jeff couldn't take you to a
erown-up picnic. Now be a good
girl, Alice"
Alice at IL was pretty well past
that stage. I'd keep out of your
way, jeff" she promised. Hon,
est. I would"
Nothing doing, Alice" Jeff told
her.
GIVES UP IDEA
"oh, very WE'LL" calmly she
relinquiShed the whole idea. But
when I'm older, say 16, I'll do ex-
actly as I please"
You've looked well into the
future" jeff egged her on.
Yes, I have. I'll have a year
Or two of college, then I'll fall in
love and, believe me, I'll do no
waiting on circumstances"
Where in the world. MRS.
Sheppard began.
You've been listening around
Alice" Jeff charged trying to an.
pear shocked. I'll leave you now
to ponder on that future"
Walking across the sand he
thought how Sally would enjoy
Allce's precocity. He hurried a
little when he saw the crowd gath.
cred at the south end near the
clubhouse.
Sally stood a little apart. She
was a colorful figure in her green
suit and white rubber cap. Her
eyes were fixed on the farther
horizon, and jeff knew she was
waiting for him.
Together they plunged and
swan out vigorously to the end of
the big pier. They climbed up
Hello, Sally" Jeff said, deeply.
1--WE said it once" she returned
Then she put her head against
his cheek. After a moment she be
gan to speak brightly.
You weren't home when ]
called. Alice spoke patronizingly
to me. I take it she thinks I'm q
bit Of a back number. All of TWEEN
ty-one, you know"
"YeS, I know. She's lifted q
phrase from somewhere or other
and she flung it full tilt at me. .
believe her when she's in love