The Wyandotte herald. (Wyandotte, Mich.) 1879-1943, 1940-02-02
AS YOU WERE
g
By THAYER WALDO
Mcclure syndicate-wNU Service,

thickly upholstered chair, re-
ceiver to her ear. One hand
covered the telephones mouth
piece and her fingers drummed If
ritably on the metal.
Before her stood a seamy-faced
man with penduIous jowls, gesticU-
lating, his voice a vehement hOarse
whisper:
Don't be a little fool, Lefty: tell
him yes. Then he'll fix everything
for you-salary and stories and
casts"
Her narrowed haZS, eyes gaZed az
him for full second with unSpeak-
able disgust. Then she took her
hand from the instrument and spoke
fatty:
''Thank you, Mr.. Bernstein. but
I'm afraid really couldn't manage
it this weekend. SO sorry
With meticulous care she placed
the earpiece on its hook and stood
up.
The man was speaking again. IN
louder, nagglng whine.
That's it-throw away every
chance to get yourself in right with
these big people. How do you think
you're going to land the things you
want. acting like a snippish old
mald?"
Lefty Claire faced him.
Her fists were clenched, her whole
body rigid with a fury she barely
kept under control
''Oh, you vile, horrible mani" she
Spat. ITO think that my own IA
Their should stand here and beg me
to indulge in a cheap and tawdry
affair just to gain more money or
curry someone's favor!"
Instantly his manner became con-
ciliatory.
Nov baby, don't talk like that.
You know daddy's only trying to
look out for your interests. A clever
girl like you wouldn't have to do
anything she didn't want to. It's"
'Hooey!" The word fairly dripped
acid scorn.
You and that brother of mine
are rust couple of drunken, greedy
parasites who'd sell me if you could,
body and soul, to the highest bidder.
Oh, don't imagine I'm only finding
this out now I've been wanting
for months to yell it at you both"
He put out one hand in a hesitant-
ly soothing gesture.
Il know, little lamb" he cToaked,
you've worked real hard lately
and your nerves are all upset.
What you needs a nice little vaca-
ton; that's why thought you'd like
to go on Mr.. Bernstein's yacht"
Lefty Claire's anger mounted to
creScendo.
Don't hand me those sniveling
ies!" she ragged. Sure my nerves
are shot, but work didn't do it. You
and Bill and the rest of the rotten
Hollywood people who are always
after me would drive stone statue
crazy. Peace and comfort and
decency are just things l read about
in books"
In desperation he tried deeply
wounded pose, mumbling sorrowful-
ly:
$50 this is your gratitude for all
I've donei"
Il wish I'd never been born!"
she walled, needless of him. "Or
anyhow, not what ! am. / wish"
her tone became almost tremulous
with longing I'd been born
somewhere out in the country, away
from everything, perhaps on
farm"
The rancor had ebbed; dreamy
eyed, she seemed obliviouS to all
save some vision her far-aWay gaze
encountered
Yes, that's it! Just to be quiet
and happy on little ranch, with
cows and chickens for company and
green fields all around you Oh,
that's how was meant to live; why
did it have to be this ness"
For a moment then she stood ST.
lent, still looking spacewards.
Old Man Claire watched her in
furtive way.
q OAEE(A oOOAiNNo oOAAA(-
where in the bungalows rear. The
girl stirred and glanced around.
"JuSt the doorbell, dearie," her
father hastily treasured; marie II
take care of it,
She nodded; vague conflict was
in her manner. Again the buzz.
Lefty frowned; the man suggested:
maybe she's out; I'll answer il"
mo- You look like a tramp in
that nasty old bathrobe. I'll go my
self"
With a sigh she crossed the room
and flung open the front door. On
the stoop stood thin young woman
in faded calico dress and cotton
stockings that punched over her
shoe tops.
Either hand held market basket;
one had eggs in if, the other a jum-
BILE of MISUNDERSTANDING vege-
tables.
Good morning, ma'am," she
started to singsong; would you like