The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-03-22
The Rains
Came

Continued From Page Tenl
would have Ransonre 10 work with
him Nov he could help Ranson1e
as for years he had been helping
the low-eaSte people. As the two
Of them sat together with the Ma
haranee while she told them her
plan he had believed that Ran
some would refuse the task as he
had always refused everything.
But he had accepted quickly. with
a decision which startled Mr..
Smiley.
And when they left the tent o.
gether and turned in the direction
Of the music school. Rsnsome had
said to him. 7 hope you didn't
mind my accepting. And Mr..
Smiley had answered. Why should
! my dear fellow -"
I've never done anything 70
merit confidence There are prob
ably dozen other fellows you'd
prefer to have work with YOU
No. cant think OF one I'd
rather have"
Then they had walked for
long time in silence. and as they
came 10 the Great Tank whore
their ways parted. Ransome had
said, suddenly Fern Simon is 60
ing to stay here. She wants to be
nurse. She's got some idea IN
her head about working in the dis
triets"
Tn glad" said Mr. Smiley.
shes nice girl"
There are one or two things
I'd like to tell you and then we
won't have to mention them
again"
They stopped at the top Of the
wide. shallow steps leading down
TO the water. For moment Ran
some looked away from him down
at a woman pounding soiled linen
on the rocks below. Mr.. Smiley
OWNED that ne was making a
great effort. Twice he swallowed
hard before speaking: then he
said: Il think l understand now
what you and the Major and Rae-
child and the old girl are after.
didn't understand before-not fully.
I want to help
Good said Mr.. Smiley. feel
ing something of Ransomes en-
barrassment That's fine"
And there's another thing"
"Yes."
Fern and I want to be mar
ried."
Well" said Mr.. Smiley, Il
must say that's a surprise. It's
fine, that is, I'm glad to hear it.
Congratulations Ny, what a sur
prise that will be to my wife and
Aunt Phoebe"
Fern is a mighty fine girl She
has the makings of good
woman
Can you marry u.s." asked
Ransome.
of course. You could be mar
ried at the mission
Perhaps we'd better be married
as quickly as possible"
May | tell Mrs. Smiley and
Aunt IllOtDt
OF course. They ought to
know, considering that in way
they were in on the whole thing.
But l must go now" said Ran
some. Were still short handed.
Tomorrow the train is bringing
more people to help - trained
people.
Then as he walked along the
wall of the tank he saw Miss
Murga troyd coming toward him.
and he was tempted to turn to-
ward the hospital so that he might
avoid her but she had seen him,
and so it was too late, for Miss
Murgatroyd was too unciviized TO
aid one in such a deception. She
came toward him with the old
historical eagerness. holding out
her hand. She said: I'm so clad
to see you. Mr.. Ransome. after all
our adventures. I hear you've been
doing valiant duty at the hosp-
tai"
Yes he said, forcing himself.
I've been working" Somehow
she made the horrors of the hos
pital and the music school seem
fantastic and false. Where have
you been >" he asked.
With poor Mrs. Bannerjee."
and added. eagerly: You heard
about Mr.. Bannerjee >"
I only just heard that he was
dead"
He only lasted a few hours
And Mrs. Bannerjeo ."
shes all right. She's going
away-back to Calcutta to live"
He said. And what do YOU
mean to do?"
She sighed: Stay here on the
job, suppose. But il will he aw-
fully boring without the Banner
Jees parties. There won't be any
life at all
She giggled again Historically,
but there was catch in her
voice, and he thought: Poor thing
won't have anything now She
won't have Mrs. Banneriee to tor
ment her. She knew il, and she
was siggling to keep from crying.
TO Be Continued