The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1940-11-15
TRAILER Girl,
e-A~ Bv VERA BROWN uus
WNU Service

bedroom a rotund Santa Claus with
q long, white beard.
The children yelled and screamed
IN their delight. Then Marty began
giving out the little gifts.
81 haven't had SO much fun In
years." he told Lynn.
The bracelets and the dollar
watches Terry had bought sent the
crowd into mild hysteria. OF course,
three OF the watches were promptly
broken. for the boys wound them too
tightly. But It was all GREATNESS
and spontaneous. Toward evening
some OF the mothers came for their
children and Lynn gave them sand
wiches Of the leftover turkey.
Its the loveliest Christmas I've
ever had" Lynn said as she and
Marty dropped down for a moment
on the couch to rest.
OF course, nobody wanted to 20
home. It was dark now, and the
lighted tree was lovelier in the dim
studio. Art started some carols and
soon the child voices were raised in
song, a little of tune perhaps, but
they loved it. Art went across the
hall and got his accordion and short
ly the whole building was shaking
as the children danced to his tunes
and the older people sat back en-
joying the fun. Yes, It was a good
day.
Nobody heard q knock on the door.
Finally Marty did, and opened it.
1t was a messenger boy. A cable.
From Rene, bless his heart. He
wouldn't forgetl" Lynn cried as she
took it. The boy grinned as he
watched the dancing children. Lynn
pressed some candy into his hand
and Marty gave him q dollar.
Lynn tore open the cable casually.
1t was wonderful that a word of
greeting could come to her so far.
Marty turned to her, stopped short.
Lynn's smile died.
"Marty!" She was trembling. He
took the cable from her hand. Only
few words.
Boucher seriously ill, American
Hospital; come" 1t was signed by
DR.. Antonio Marelli, in Rome:
Lynn held on to Martyrs arm.
We mustn't spoil their party. Keep
them going" She went into the bed
room and closed the door. She sat
down on the narrow bed, piled high
with children's coats and hats, and
reread the cable. Rene must be
desperately ill, or the doctor would
not have cabled. Marty found her
there few minutes later.
"I'd never forgive myself if /
didn't go and anything hap
pened." She looked up dis
tractedly. "He can'tgdie, Marty"
mo" Marty and his Santa Claus
beard awry, wiped his forehead with
trembling hand. "He can't die.
He's too important to the world,
Lynn. He's great painterl 1t
would be terrible :"
Poor Rene. Alone, ill, maybe dy-
ing. She forced a smile to her lips,
but her eyes were bright with tears.
Shortly, the party began to break
up. It was a long process. Hats
and coats had to be rescued, rub
bers and galoshes Strengthened out.
Marty, watching Lynn's face, was
glad she had this distraction. They
finally departed, a disheveled, hap
py, noisy crowd. Then quiet settled
over the apartment like q pail. Mar
ty went out to buy newspaper and
Lynn was alone.
Mechanically she tried to bring a
little order out Of the chaos in the
apartment. Marty was not gone
long, but when he came back he
had everything planned.
There's sailing tomorrow, but
no use to take it. It's q slow boat.
Better wait for the Normandie. She
sails Thursday"
That's two daysl"
ut can't be helped"
"I'n get you tourist class ticket.
You can go straight from Havre 10
Rome"
ut will be over a week, Marty"
Eyes"
81 hope I'm in time"
"You will be. He'll probably be
all right by the time you get there"
IF only knew how serious it isl"
Shall telephone the hospital7"
Will 1t cost a lot?"
mot too much, Lynn. IN try"
Later they both went out to the
corner drug store, and in an hour
Marty had the call through He got
an Italian clerk who worked in the
store to speak with the hospital in
Rome. 1t was a short conversation.
Hes got pneumonia" the boy in
formed the two who waited He told
the hospital that Lynn was sailing
on the Normandie
How is he?" Lynn demanded.
"They say he's pretty sick" That
was all
Marty and Lynn went back to her
apartment, and Lynn got out her