The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-29
D SERIAL STORY
CHRISTMAS RUSH
COPYRIGHT. 1910.
NEA SERVICE. inc.

which every doctors wife must
share?
The doctor seemed entirely won
over. He had apparently accepted
Valerie without reservation, well
coming her into her future place
in the family circle. His voice
came to Martha now, as the dinner
ended.
I think a toast to the future
bride and groom is in order, Hugh
was saying. Then I have a sur
prise for you"
Martha slipped the wine without
tasting it, her eyes rowing around
the table. She had expected Mary
to ask to be left out Of the party,
but here she was. pushing Valerie
into the spotlight at every op-
portunity. leading the conversation
into channels where Valerie could
shine-in small talk about new
plays and books-giving Valerie
every chance to show to best ad-
vantage. Martha wondered if she
herself would have been as gen.
erous.
The twins had accepted Jerry's
choice. too. AS always, everything
Big Brother Jerry did must be
right, and if they bore any ami
mostly toward the newcomer, they
carefully concealed it.
Lets have coffee around the
fire, Martha heard herself saying.
Then we can hear about this big
surprise your father has to tell u.s."
"It's really not as big a surprise
as I may have made it sound"
the doctor began. "You know,
Valerie and Jerry, this decision of
yours came rather sudden-Jerry
leaving school and all that.
ITO end the suspense, the sur
prise is just this-Jerry has a job.
Not much Of a job, of course, at
first, but it will pay. enough for
you to live on here in town.
II was telling John, down at the
drug store, about you today, Jerry
and he wants you to go to work for
him again. You'll be a clerk out in
front at first, of course, just as
you were during the summers you
worked for him before. But he'll
pay you more now. Start at $25 a
week"
"What?" Valerie gasped. "Twen-
ty-five-"
But Jerry cut her short. That's
swell Dad. We can get by on that
fine"
John will give you a raise in a
couple of months or so, as soon as
you get into the swing of things.
And he'll give you a chance to get
in some time behind the case, too,
so that you'll get better acquainted
with drugs. With your knowledge
OF medicine, and all the things
you've learned in school, you'll
have no difficulty in passing the
pharmacy board exams next fall.
AS a registered pharmacist you
should be earning $50 to $50 a
week here in no time"
That's perfect, Dad" Jerry was
all smiles. when do we start?"
Valerie was silent.
You can 60 to work the Mon
day after New Years" Hugh went
OH. "And that's only half There's
a little house over on Front street
all attractive place. even if it is
SMALL called the owner and he'll
let you have it for $25 a month.
We'll all 60 over and see it tomor-
row. -. Well, Valerie. what do
you think of it?"
Jerry anwered for her, wal
and I r just tickled pink over it.
Mighty good of you to 60 to all
that trouble, Dad. We can get mar
rled Saturday and start living Mon
day. can't we, honey?"
Valerie forced a laugh. You're
not giving me much time, Jerry.
l have to buy a tr~ousseau, and
Mother insists on a big wedding.
maybe it can be arranged.
I'm dying to e the house," she
wen on. genuinely delighted now.
Wen have to buy furniture. and
see about a cook"
Hold on, here, to-be-Mrs. jerry
Connolly. You can't afford a cook
on $25 a week." Jerry bantered.
You don't expect" Valerie
asked, incredulously. why. Jerry.
20 won't even k e e p me in
clothes!"
ITO Be Continued)