Evening star., 1940-12-25

knew what he was going to do
about Mrs. Smith, but he didn't
know how he was going to do it.
1t was hard enough making living
for vi and himself and paying off
something every week on the debts
from their wedding.
That night. before leaving the
office, Gale TILED out his record
book of the Gays work, sorted out
the few soiled and crumpled dollar
bills paid him by a small percent
age of the patients and counted the
fairly large pile of silver coins that
had come in. He entered the total
on the books, as usual, then put SIS
in plain envelope and addressed
it in pencil to Mrs. Donald Smith.
And before starting home in his
little secondhand coupe he mailed
the envelope at the corner mailbox.
He knew she wouldn't accept it If
she knew it came from him, but this
way she'd have no way of knowing.
And there was no doubt that she
could make good use of it.
After supper he and vi were sit
ting in the living room reading the
evening paper. The doorbell rang
and vi went and pushed the buzzer
A moment later Doug Clayton
stepped into the room. He was
grinning broadly and his face was
flushed. When he spoke it was OBJ
vious that he'd had a drink or two
more than necessary.
Doug Brings News.
Hi, kids!" he greeted them, ges-
turing widely with his hat. "All set
for a quiet little evening at home, I
bet! Well, nothin' doin', you gwan
now and get all fancied up and
we'll go out on a party. Won't take
no for an answer. Gotta come along
with oil Douglas on big party.
Well pick up Bren and We'll all go
out on big party and celebrate"
Gale had got up, grinning, and
taken Doug's coat and hat. He
tossed them over chair and took
his friend by the arm and led him
to the couch. "Sit down and tell
us all about it, old man. What are
we going to celebrate?'
vi, uncertain as to whether she
should start getting ready or not,
Winked at Gale and crossed the
room to sit on the arm of his chair.
They watched Doug's face screw it
self up into an incredulous frown,
then break again into a broad grin.
"You don't know what we're
gonna celebrate?" he said. Didn't
tell you Bren and I are gonna
be married?"
Gale felt something tighten up in
his throat and he swallowed hard.
He tried to say something but
couldn't, and it was vi who said
"Oh, how wonderful, Doug! I'm so
happy!"
Cash, that's great, Doug" Gale
managed at last. "When-how
soon's it going to be?"
Middle O. January" Doug re-
piled. "Soons my nice big fee
comes rollin in-but gosh, shouldn't
be mentionin' that To-" He
stopped abruptly, his eyes blinking
wildly, and started funbling for a
cigarette. When he found one and
lit it his hand, holding the match,
shook violently.
Doug is Embarrassed.
Gale got up, his face suddenly
dark, and said, "Ill get you a
drink" He went into the alcove
that served as kitchen and dining
room and quietly procured glasses
and ice and a small bottle of liquor
from a cupboard. He mixed the
drinks on the sideboard, and all the
while he was there nothing was said
by either vi or Doug. When he
passed the drinks Doug took his
without comment and without look
ing at Gale, then lifted it to his
lips and took a long gulp.
Seated again, Gale said, where's
this big celebration going to be,