The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-10-19

both hands. She was neitner Oh
nor young.
Graying hair framed . serene.
pain lined face.
IT'S lovely to meet you. dear
she said. I've heard % many nice
things about you"
Jan, ready 70 be impertinent, de-
fiant. even insolent-anything to
defend herself from hurt-took the
friendly hands. Thank you, Mrs.
Swift. she said gently.
they chatted for q few minutes,
Mrs. Swift pleasant and interested.
Jan charmingly sincere. Terry.
watching and listening thought
fully saw another side Of JAMS
nature, the gracious. well-bred side
When they rose to 80. Mrs. Swift
said, Come to see me, Jan. Come
often"
JAMS eyes smarted. Il will
thank YOU she murmured. unable
to tell the kind invalid that this
was her last day in Bridgetown.
Her car was in sight. half way
down the block, when she and
Terry left Mrs. swift's porch. They
walked slowly, each busy with
numb thoughts. JAMS car was a
symbol. It meant the end. They
walked still more slowly.
It might well have been the end
had not the fates stepped in. The
fates took the form of small boy
who was bouncing a ball on the
sidewalk.
Hello, DR.. Carlisle" he said,
smiling toothlessly. falling into
step with them.
Hello. youngster." The boy kept
pace with them, bouncing his ball.
Its a nice day" he hazarded.
rs it," Terry asked absent
mindedly.
TITS spring" the child went on.
jumping this way and that to catch
the ball. MY mamma says a young
mans fancy always turns to
spring. I'm young man and that's
why l like 1t"
Terry smiled feebly
Jan said. II like Mrs Swift. I
wish I'd met her sooner. Maybe
I would have felt differently--and
behaved differently"
CHANGING up, she found Terry's
brooding eyes upon her. "Oh, I've
made such mess of things-such
horrible mess"
Don't, JAM"
Where did I get all my con-
ceit? ?" she went on bitterly. II
thought I amounted to something
in New York / thought / was
somebody. 1t took Bridgetown to
drag me in the dust, to show me
up for conceited fool"
Please, jan"
The small boy was listening in
terestedly. He looked past Terry
at Jan.
Gee, she's pretty" he observed
confidentially. My mamma said
that you were too smart to give
her a tumble but I'd think you
would give her a tumble"
Better be trotting back home,
youngster," Terry advised.
Il can play anywhere / want
to-" Again he looked curiously at
Jan. Has she set Bridgetown on
its ear? ?" he wanted to know.
What does that mean ?" The ball
bounced sidewise and Jan caught
1t, returning II to him.
1T means that I'm not wanted"
she answered in a wispy little
voice. Her last few moments with
Terry had been ruined by the pratt
ting of child.
In way he had summed I'D her
defeat in Bridgetown. It was part
OF the nightmare that the last few
moments should be robbed of any
bit Of beauty.
They were nearing JAMS car.
Everything had been said-every-
thing and nothing. Suddenly the
cniid's ball struck a crack in the
walk and bounded into the street.
He lunged after it.
Terry, deep in wretched thoughts.
neither saw the boy nor the APP
preaching car. 1t was all over be-
fore he came out Of his daze with
a Mortified exclamation.
Jan had darted past him into the
street. Catching the little bows
arm, she swung him out of the
path of the speeding car. There
was a shout from the driver and
the shrek of brakes.
One moment the three of them
mad been clamly walking along a
shaded street. The next Jan Law in
the gutter, a huddled. quiet little
figure. ITO Re Copt;pued,