The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-08-30
LOVE THUMBS
A RIDE
BY PRISCILLA WAYNE

eight healthy youngsters, don't
you think ?"
You certainly are" the doctor
agreed. then turning to John Pat
terson. Now. young man. if you'll
Just step out here wen look after
that cut on your temple. II isn't
very bad but we'd better clean II
up and put a bandage on IT.
IF you ask me. you two young
people are pretty lucky that this
accident turned out as harmless as
il did.
IT'S getting TO be so that people
aren't safe on the highway these
days"
Out in the kitchen the doctor
dressed Johns cut. Did you
really mean that Miss Reed is not
badly hurt? You aren't keeping
anything from me, Doctor ?"
Nothing that you can't see for
yourself. The girl Is in a sadly
run down condition. She isn't too
strong a type to begin with. She
looks as though she's been over
working and probably hasn't eaten
enough for weeks. Wen see how
she feels in the morning.
Look at Bone
IF she's quite able to come In
to the hospital well have an X-ray
and take look at that collar
bone of hers. II she doesn't feel
well enough to come, then I'll
come out and see her. You'll let
me hear from you in the morn
ing ?"
Yes, Doctor, and thank you for
coming ?"
John went back into the living
room to find Molly lowering anx-
iously over Janet. Ruth is CIV
ing up her bed to Janet, tonight"
Molly told John.
Ruth will sleep with one of the
other girls. I guess I'm going TO
have to fix a bed for you down
here on the couch. We haven't
any extra beds, what with our
big family"
II can rest very comfortably
right here" John declared. Il
think you're pretty fine to be so
hospitable. Shall we take Miss
Reed to her room now"
Il think it's just too bad that
I have to be carried around like
this Janet demurred. But it
seemed wonderful to have Johns
strong arms about her, lifting her
as lightly as if she'd been a child.
VIII Get Fat
Mrs. Benson says that if she
can keep you here she'll have you
fat and sassy before you know it."
Janet smiled at the plump. capa-
BILE woman. Probably you're the
very finest cook in this part Of
the country"
Tom and the kids like what I
cook Molly accepted the compli-
ment complacently. And if you
stay around me, Janet Reed, even
for a day or two, I'm going to
begin padding little meat onto
your bones. You can just get all
set for a good breakfast. young
lady. I'm going to bring it up
to you myself and I'm going to
see that you eat every bite of it."
II will" Janet laughed. IN
eat every bite of it and you won't
have to insist on it."
Molly was a romantic person.
When John put Janet down on the
bed. Molly hurried out on the pre-
tense of getting some night clothes
for Janet. Il thought I'd just
leave those two young things alone
together for a minute or two" she
whispered to Ruth. Anybody can
just see that he worships the very
ground she walks on"
Nonsense
Nonsense. Mother" practical
Ruth said. You're sentimental:
how could they be in love? Didn't
he say she was hitchhiking and
he picked her up?"
Love doesn't take weeks TO
happen, Ruth" Molly scolded hap
PLY. You just mark my words.
He may not know it and she may
not know it yet. but they will.
Those two young people are dead
in love with each other or my
name is not Molly Benson"
John bent over Janet solicitously.
Are you sure you're going to be
able to sleep?
Absolutely certain of it. I'm
almost asleep now. I'll never for
give myself for being so foolish
as to faint again. l have been
working pretty hard. I went to
the doctor before l left New York,
and he said that ! had to have
rest.
He said that there wasn't any,
thing wrong with me except the
noise in the factory and the nerv-
Gus exhaustion Of working over
those power sewing machines. I'll
be perfectly all right now
II hope So" John said. Good
night. Janet"
Good night. John"
No Reason
There was no reason why he
should have done il, John told him.
self sngrily, a few minutes after.
This girl was nothing to him
less than nothing-just the same
he had kissed her. She was as
much surprised as he at the
raUestra