The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1939-10-14
Out of the Fog
By GREGORY JONAS
ASSOCIATED Newspapers-WNU Service.)

u11NlIS Ills IIlSl-POWCICN AOSiO-
ster over the country roads at
pace quite inconsistent with its abil-
ity for speed Barry was drinking
in the beauties of the moon-f1ooded
night. A fog rose from the river
and fioated lightly above the low
lands, wandering clouds touched by
the magic of the moon. Like a
huge, disgorged feather-bed the
bank of white awaited Barry's dip
into the valley only to disappear
upon his advent.
Like all my troubles" unused
Barry. Now and then oblongs of
yellow light showed through the blur
of white and Barry knew there was
homeland he wished vaguely that
there were a yellow light beckon-
ing him. With these vague wishes
was mixed the shadowy dream of a
girls face, her blue eyes and her
bright hair as soft and intangible
as the feathers of fog about him.
Barry had been unable to forget
this particular girl for one moment
after meeting her; and now he was
running away from her; she threat
ened to crystalline his vague
dreams into reality; she imperiled
his celibacy, and he wasn't ready
not yet. His memories of her min
gled so enticingly with the night
that he was startled, as his car
rose to the hilltop, to see a slight
figure hurrying along ahead of him.
won't you ride?" asked Barry,
sensing that there must be some
reason for girls treading this lone
some road so long after teatime.
Her voice sounded sharp and there
was recklessness in her acceptance
Of his invitation.
eyes, I'll ride" she answered,
and slumped down into the seat
beside him.
"On your way to Moorestown?'
he asked.
GAS well as anywhere" she re-
Piled, and Barry was silent. His
dreams were lost in the fog as he
puzzled about the girl beside him.
They drove along quietly, dipping
into the valleys and rising to the
hilltops with a swift, clean motion
that was worthy of his car. When
they had gone another ten miles
the girl spoke suddenly:
"I'm leaving my husband"
Indeed" calculated Barry, and
added: "How old are your"
"Twenty-four and I'm tired OF
drudgery and tending babies and
having nothing!"
81 see," commented Barry soft
ly. Husbands and babies aren't
much compensation unless they're
nice" he added tentatively.
my babies are adorable!" she
flashed.
"They must be unusual, them" he
observed. "Most babies are pests!"
"Have you any?" she demanded
Good Lord, no-I'm bachelor"
"Then you don't know thing
about it. They're so soft and ador
able and--and cute! Twin girls
But his mother is always there
making trouble. She'll take care o.
them"
"Of course" agreed Barry. 'Ir
another six months they'll probably
think she's their mother-they're I'm
feeling little brutes, at best"
'Mine are not! They know me
they cry when l leave them!" 81
lence enveloped them, when sud
denly the girls voice broke it.
give got to go back! Take me
to the next bus stop-you'll thinl
I'm crazy!"
''What difference does it make
what l think? l don't even know
your name. But you're foolish to g
back. We could go to the show anc
have a good time" He turned
and caught the appeal in her up
turned face.
Honestly, / didn't mean that!'
he said contritely, turning the cal
about. "I'm going to take vol
home" The car flew like a live
thing.
"Tell me the house," said Barry
''I will" He could feel her tense
ness; once she put out a small
hand and laid it over his on the
wheel.
81 don't know how to thank you
"Your husband won't-abust
your" he inquired.
"Phil? Good heavens, mol"
"Men do"
"Not mine-it's just that his moth
er bosses me So"
81 know-I have a boss mysell
and some day I'm going to wax in
dependent and fire myself-but no
till / see that it won't ruin my owl
happiness" he told her.
She touched his arm when at las
two rectangles of light CLEANED
through the lifting fog.
Atmosphere has cleared" re
marked Barry, drawing up to the
house and sounding his horn. The
door opened and a frenzied young
man stood outlined-behind him {
woman twisting her apron.
Give brought back your wife,
he announced, handing her out O.
the car. "Wives are hard to get,
he observed, land harder to keep