The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-02-22
CHAPTER THIRTY-FoUR

Afraf EN- YIN
Fern had left Ransome's house,
meaning TO 60 straight home.
Angry, she went away, out OF the
house to the porte cochere, where
she had left her bicycle, and then
when she mounted II she discov-
cred that even the bicycle had let
her down. One of the tires WAS
flat and the discovery made her
burst into tears.
1t meant that she had two miles
ahead of her on foot through the
rain, unless she went back and
asked Ransomc's boy to repair the
damage, and she could not so back
now for fear she might see Ran
some again, and as she left the
house she told herself that she
would never see him again, no
matter what happened.
Walking beside the bicycle.
wheeling ii, she got as far as the
end OF the drive. and there she dis
covered that she was no longer
angry, but only defeated and tired,
more tired than she had ever been
in all her life. not only of Ranchi-
pur. of her mother and father and
Hazel. every one she knew, but
tired even of Ransome.
Then she noticed the lights OF a
motor coming along the road over
which she had just passed. At
once she thought, THAT is momma
coming home from town." and
without hesitation she switched off
the light OF the bike and plunged
into the nullah alongside the road.
She would not go home at all.
She would 60 to the Smileys' after
all and ask them to hide her. The
harm she had done them was al
ready accomplished. The awful
letter filled with disgusting accu-
sations had already been sent.
Nothing worse could happen. And
the decision brought her sense
of peace. The Smileys would UNI
derstand. At least they would
shelter her for a little time until
she got over the shock of the call
on Ransome.
But the Smileys weren't at
home. As she reached the door
she saw only Aunt Phoebe alone
in the sitting room and remem-
bered that of course the Smileys at
this hour would be at the night
school. For a moment she hest
tated again, for Aunt Phoebe
frightened her little. not because
she would be hard and unsympa-
thetic, but because in the wisdom
Of her great age she seemed 10
know everything. Her eye was
too sharp. and her common sense
frightened and shamed what little
there remained of Blythe Summer
field. the Pearl of the Orient,
But again, as in the nullah, the
thought came to her that she
would rather face any one or any
/ thing now. than her mother. snc
she understood that II was quite
impossible TO go all night walking
round and round Rsnchipur in the
rain. So resting her bike against
the rail of the verands SHE
I knocked and Aunt Phoebe. looking
up from her tatting. said
Come in.
At sight Of Fern dim express
sion Of surprise came into the
bright eyes OF the old lady, but shs
suppressed II quickly, perhaps
moved by the swollen eyes and the
look of despair on Ferns face.
Heavens on EARTH" said Aunt
Phoebe. springing up from heI
rocking chair. What's the mat
ter" She put her arm around
FERNS shoulders and said. But
you're soaking wet. III get yot
some dry things and then you car
tell me all about it," Left alone
for a moment, Fern flung herself
I down on the settee and sobbec
loudly and without restraint
When Aunt Phoebe returned she
was carrying a complete costume
belonging TO Mrs. Smiley, as wei
as large towel. Gently she
touched Ferns shoulder and said
Come now. Rub yourself dry snC
put on these things Of Bertha
and then you can tell me whats
the matter"
Fern had no desire to dry her
self and change her clothes Sh'
wanted only TO weep. to keep tn
soaked clothing on her until sh'