The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-03-10
The Rains
Came
CONTINUED from Page I0l

y =
thing There isn't anything.
Wen DO our best FOR you. The
plane is supposed TO be bringing
supplies tomorrow.
There isn't much you need or
much YOU can do for cholera %
No" Suddenly he was seized
by a panic He wanted to ask
where Fern was, and did not dare.
She might be stricken herself She
might be dead He began TO shake.
ashamed that the Swiss should see
him thus. hoping that he would
not notice It. But Harry Bauer
sand. Have you got a fever -
No. It's nothing
4 can give you a gin and tonic,
It's good for that sort of thing"
His whole body cried out. but
he managed to say, No, it'll be all
right And then. swiftly, Where
is Miss Simon ?"
She's down the hall. at the
very end She's in charge for the
moment"
IN go and see her" said Ran
some Thanks for the cigarettes
and the offer of a drink"
"Rien de tout, said Bauer.
AS Ransome walked along the
hall he thought: THAT Swiss
knows how to take care of him.
self. OF them all. he seemed the
best organized. with his cigarettes
and gin and tonic and books and
soiled playing cards. He no longer
appeared the poor victim arrayed
for sacrifice. clean and antiseptic
and immune. but a wise and sturdy
peasant looking out for his own
comfort
Halfway down the hall he
stepped aside while coolies carried
the body of a woman out of a
classroom. The awful smell had
got to him now, through every re-
sistance. When he reached the
room at the end of the hall he
found Fern sitting bolt upright on
bed made of benches She
looked white and tired, and al
sight of him she began to cry
quite silently. the tears running
down her face. Sitting down be-
side her, he put his arms about
her and drew her close to him.
Go on" he said, cry. It'll make
you feel better"
It's not because I'm afraid, -
she said ITS because it's SO
awful. It's so awful because you
cant do anything. They go on
dying and dying. l don't mind the
work or the smell; I don't mind
anything but that. Honestly,
don't. I'm not afraid"
He pressed her cheek against
him, thinking. mo. I must never
leave her never" And said
You're a swell kid You shouldn I
be here. You ought to go back
to the mission"
No. l can't do that. I don't
want to do that. I couldn't sit
there doing nothing" She had
stopped crying and lay now in his
arms quite still. like child. I'll
be all right now she said. only
get so lonely sometimes. It's SC
good TO have you back for a mo-
ment.' Then she was silent, anC
/ presently she said in a low soft
voice; Don't leave me Tom. Don't
/ go away and leave me-"
Il promise.
And then she knew that he had
come back to her. She thought
Now | can talk TO him." and she
sat up and asked, rs Lady Eskett
all right >"
Yes. just left her"
Il like her, you know. It's funny
but l like her"
Il knew you would"
Then the doorway was partly
filled by the wan. thin figure OF
Mr.. Smiley. Behind him appeared
the dark faces of a half dozer
Untouchable boys.
Hello, Smiley" said Ransome
Come in"
Il brought Fern some help hi
said. I've got six of my boys with
me. I'm going TO leave them. You
can Use them, can't you ?"
Fern stood up and an extraor'
( binary c h nge come over her
Thanks. Mr.. Smiley. We can use
them. You know how filthy cholera
is. Maybe they won't want to dc
what has to be done.
They'll do it. They come OF
Sweeper families" Then he turned
and said, Come in" in English
and the boys trooped awkwardly
into the room.
"I'll come back tomorrow said
Mr.. Smiley. To Fern and Ran
some he said Good night. have
to get bag of rice from Raschid
and go back to the orphanage."
And he went quickly away. Al
most like a phantom he seemed,
so pale and thin and tired
Then Ransome said, "I'll go now.
I'll come back tomorrow when
there's time"
He wanted TO take her in his
arms and kiss her good-by, but
that was impossible with the six
Sweeper boys sta d ing there
staring at them with their big
frightened does eyes. SO he
pressed her hand and said in low
voice. Il won't go away again.
promise
Outside they had lighted the
pyre and in the light of the fire
I he discovered the straight spare
figure and black beard of Colonel
Rsrjit Singh talking to the Sikh
in charge When he spoke 10 him
Rsnjit Singh said. The worst is
past" He looked at the cobalt
sky and said. It's cooler tonight.
Maybe the bloody rain will stop
for a time"
I'm on my way to Her High
ness. Are you going there ?"
Yes Wen go together"
AS they neared the Tank Ran
some noticed 4 shadow slipping
from one TO another of the peepul
trees that stood by the water.
Watching ~ Saus shs shadow turn