The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-10-05

CONTINUED IRON rage ~
Law down. Hippy smoothed ths
linen sheet and covered her with
a six puff Jan lay with her chin
set. she felt like crying.
Almost any CIR would have
cried under the circumstances.
But Jan never cried. Even A. :
little girl she had gone through
each small tragedy with head
high and dry eyes
she had a vague idea that, II
she ever let down her guard. even
with herself az sole witness. she
would never again be able to re-
sumo the smooth brittle mask that
was her sword and shield.
was II nice wedding" Nip
py inquired, picking up JAMS
clothes.
Perfect"
That young mani saw him
with YOU at breakfasts ne old
enough 70 marry folks ,"
Yes" Jan bit her lower lip.
Handsome boy"
Jan said nothing.
We'll set up"
Go way Mippy." As the
elderly nurse reached the door.
Jan said, 'Mippy-"
Yes"
I'm expecting 4 call about
eight. Switch it here. III take it,
Not at eight Jan. It's after
six now"
'Isn take it." As Mippy hesi-
tated. her kind square face reg
istering firm disapproval. she
screamed. "1'n take 1t, Mippy. Do
you hear me ?"
"An right-aH right-land sakes
I'd rather take care of the
Dionnes-all five Of them" The
door closed behind her.
Jan did not sleep. She waited
for the telephone to ring. Seven
thirty came with no call. Eight.
Her nerves tangled horribly. At
eight thirty it crossed her mind
that Terry might have oversight.
She called Norris hotel. A switch
board girl answered.
Jan said. her voice weak with
eager longing, Mr.. carlisle's
apartment, please"
I'm sorry" the girl answered.
Mr.. Carlisle was married last
night. He left for the west"
Yes, know know" II
wasn't like Jan to be impatient.
Il want to speak to his brother,
DR.. Terrence Carlisle"
"oh-Just minute"
Jan lay back on her pillows,
holding the ivory instrument under
her cheek. She smiled, ready to
say, SLEEPY head-this is your
friend Thunder speaking. Want
to take a little jsunt in the park ?"
The telephone clicked and she
moved her lips to the transmitter.
Or. Lawrence Carlisle checked
out at $780, II was the irnper-
sonal voice of the switchboard
girl.
DO you know where he went ?"
Jan asked family.
He left a forwarding address
-Bridgetown. Iowa"
Automatically Jan said, Thank
you" After a while she reached
out and the telephone fell with a
clatter into its rack. Arm still
flung out, she lay very still.
The hurt didn't come for a few
minutes. Then she could feel It
creeping over her. n grew I'M
endurable and she lay perfectly
still, taking it. Yellow sunshine
made . splash on the white car
pet.
The sweet, painful smell of
spring came through the open
window. Birds twittered. Jan
closed her eyes.
Terry had gone back to his
church. No doubt he had gone
back TO a girl. He had not said
good bye. He had flown In on a
plane. In some uncsnny way he
had localized all the beauty and
the rapture in the world upon
himself.
Now he had flown away, TAX
ing the beauty and rapture with
him, leaving nothing behind.
Jan spoke aloud. IT don't care
the least little bit II that's the
way it is-well-sil right"
She turned on her side. I'll
take little nap" she said. ANY
time a visiting preacher can keep
Jan VanWalter from mapping -
ho-hum-funny very funny"
She laughed to herself and at her
self. II was by far the hardest
laugh she had ever managed. II