The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-03-14
THE RAINS CAME
copyriEhi. 1897. 1873 1893 by Louis BromfislS
Distributed By Ledger syndicate

not have done his job better. It's
not an easy one. He has scarcely
slept"
And his drinking ,"
SO far as I know, he has not
had drink for nearly four days"
That proves nothing when
whisky is so difficult to get
1T is not difficult, your high
ness. He had brandy in his own
cellar. He gave it all TO the hos
pital. l myself offered him a drink
and he refused il. l offered il to
him whenever he wanted 1t and
still he refused"
She considered the statement
for a moment, sitting still and
thoughtfully as a buddha in the
yellow lamplight. Then she said,
Il am fond of him. Something
could be made of him."
He is a defeatist, your high
ness, but a nice fellow. He is sick.
I think he has always been sick"
Il should like to help him If I
could. l think it's the times
which have made him sick"
She opened the gold box studded
with rubies once more. DO you
think he would work for the
state >"
Il don't know. your highness"
ut might help him. What is
this story about him and the mis-
sionary's daughter ,"
Il don't know, your highness."
Her black eyes narrowed little
and she said: why does Lady
Esketh want to stay here? 1t
makes no sense"
Il don't know. your highness,
but / think she is trying to find
something there is no name for
what she is trying to find-unless
you call it reality-and that is a
poor name"
1T is you who permitted her to
stay. You admire her."
Yes, your highness."
She frowned with displeasure.
why >"
For moment he hesitated.
Then he said Forgive me. Masa-
heb, but she has many of your
qualities.
The frown deepened. How >"
"She is without fear. There is
a quality of indefeatability about
her. She has independence and
character. For the last two days
she was made sick twenty times
day by the hospital work, but
she went on working. That is as
good a test as l know She does
not deceive herself and she does
not run away from things. Long
ago. think, she took a wrong
path"
AS he spoke, he watched her,
shrewdly aware that the frown
softened, that the fierce old lady
was pleased Shrewdly he knew,
because he knew her so well, that
deep inside her there was a silent
chuckle of pleasure. because he
understood her so well, because he
had OWNED qualities in her which
she fancied she had managed to
keep hidden from most others, be-
cause he dared to be bold with her,
even at times scolding her.
Was it because of her that you
were late tonight 2"
With a humility which he knew
she OWNED as false, he said in a
low voice, Yes. your highness."
"Will this interfere with your
marriage ?"
mo, your highness. Marriage
is an affair of the state. It should
be made for the good of the COM
munity."
Il am glad that you are not a
fool. When will she go away"
THAT l cannot answer, your
highness."
She must go before the other
one comes"
"Of course"
Il will leave that to you. Other
wise it will be very troublesome
for every one"
Il understand, your highness"
And one more thing. I hear
stories of an old lady who lives
with the Smileys."
Yes, Mrs. Smiley's aunt"
ut seems that she has done
great work in spite of being old.
Continued on Page s, Col. s.