The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1940-07-18

John opened the door of the farm
house and looked out across a
stretch of weed-grown lawn. His
car was there under the willow
where he had left it at the edge of
the lane.
Goodnight, Ben," he said to the
1anky young man in overalls who
had accompanied him to the door.
Don't worry. Everything's all
right"
sThanks, Doc. Jenny and I are
mighty grateful"
''That's all right. I'll run in some
time tomorrow-today."
A thin high wall came out through
the open door. The unshaded lamp
trembled in the shaking young hands
which held it. John laughed.
''Only healthy one could make
that much noise. He's going to be
an opera singer"
''Not if he takes after his Dad"
The boyish face traced with lines of
WEAKNESS and anxiety shone, then
darkened. "You sure Jenny's-an
right?"
Zine. She'll probably sleep un-
til nocn. Your mother will know
what to do. You get some Sleep"
"All right, Doc. We sure thank
you. Goodnight"
The door closed. John walked
across the stretch OF lawn toward
the car. The full moon had dropped
below the dipping hills but the farm
yard was bright with radiance it
had left. John drew in deep breaths
of the cool damp air. He came up
to the car walking quietly, shorten
ing his long eager strides.
But she was not asleep.
Hello, Doc" she said, and sat
erect in the seat of the car.
ST thought I told you to 60 back
to the cabin" he said, but his at
tempt to sound stern was not very
convincing.
"You did," Gay said. you've
been telling me that at intervals all
night"
"Are you frozen? Let me look at
YOU" He leaned past her into the
car and turned on the dashboard
lights.
She wore his old college sweater,
too large for her, the sleeves rolled
back to free her hands and she had
bundled herself into a cocoon of
car robes and blankets.
"You should have gone back" he
said as he slipped in behind the
wheel. "They would have taken me
or I could have stayed here all night.
Do you realize that it's nearly three
o'clock?" He released the brake and
the car moved out into the road.
"What do you suppose Kate is think
ing?"
"The worst, probably" She moved
closer to him in the narrow seat.
"What is it, boy or girl?"
IA boy" She was unconscious OF
having moved toward him, he
thought. Wonderful to have her here
very close to him, wearing his
sweater, waiting for him to ride back
to the cabin. Not real, of course, a
piece of dream, a part of the
strange intimacy of this night they
had spent together.
"I heard it." Her voice was
hushed. "It sounded like a furious
kitten. I'd like to have seen it.
I've never seen one so-small."
''They improve with age. He had
a close shave. It's the first one and
there were complications. I'd have
given my soul for hospital equip
ment. That" He broke off abrupt
ly, then added with brusqueness in
duced by embarrassment and the
fear that his enthusiasm might bore
her. II shouldn't have let you in for
this. I didn't know it was a baby.
Why didn't you take the car back
to the cabin hours ago?"
''I wouldn't have missed it." she
said, still in that hushed and Won
dering voice. Nothing as real as
this ever happened to me. ! should
think that doing what you did tonight
would make you feel like-God."
GOOD Lordl" he said, trying tc
conceal the pride and pleasure her
comment gave him. 81 didn't dc
anything she couldn't have done for
herself. Made it little easier, pos
sibly. There's too much sentimen-
talizing over doctors," he concluded
severely.
"Oh, John, don't!" she cried with
soft vehemence. Don't be ashamed
of-enthusiasm.
sI'm not actually" he admitted,
moved by the sincerity of her voice.