The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-05-15
ONE FOR THE
MONEY
., LOUISE HolME
Continued from Page Ia
Then q clipper ship 20 Hawaii.


have been rapturous over - de-
hghtful a prospect. Now there
vas no rapture for the reason that
Kennedy would share the San
Francisco splendors with her. sit
beside her a. they flew across the
Pacific. be fearful Of cramps ON
the white beach. Before she could
stop II. her trescherous heart said.
I'd rather 90 to Coney Island
with Johnny"
And what about Johnny Would
his fate be settled before the
honeymoon began Julie went cold
with the thought that Johnny
might be a prisoner before that
time. He shan't-he shan't" she
muttered aloud. Il won't let him.
I'm not selfish and cruel. I'm
only waiting"
In her innermost heart Julie
knew that she was not waiting.
that she had orsvenly deserted
him.
The time had passed when she
could admit her share in his guilt,
II it were guilt.
She prepared a light supper,
weeping forlornly as she moved
from kitchenet to table.
Tears spilled down her
cheeks and she made no effort
TO stop them. Sometimes she
stood still, pressing the back
OF n hand across her mouth.
II was when she remembered
kennedy's kisses. the caressing
touch Of his hand on her shoulder.
when an illuminating flash etched
a picture on her numb brain.
Herself and Kennedy in his
lavish home, just the two Of them,
playing .cribbsge, day in and day
out. year in and year out. But
not just the two of them-the
nursery with its parade of chicks
and bunnies-the patter of little
feet.
Kennedy had talked much Of
the patter of little feet when they
planned for the future.
Her children and Kennedy's
the children of a deceitful,
mercenary wife and an I'M
loved husband. oh, IL was
wrong-all wrong.
Utterly unnerved, Julie sat
down to a lonely dinner. She
shouldn't allow herself to be alone.
Thoughts were real things, they
crowded close when one was alone,
damning, accusing.
She must keep herself occupied
every minute of every day until
her wedding was a thing of the
past.
In some fantastic way she re-
garded her marriage as an es-
cape. When IT was over, too late
then for regrets, the wretched
weaving of her thoughts would
cease. She would have won in
the battle against herself.
Leaning her elbows on the table,
Julie cupped her chin in her hands.
She stared out of the window, eyes
wide with horror.
Through the years would she
look at her children and think,
81 let a man go to prison so
that you, my children, could be
born in wealth" Would she come
to loathe and despise that wealth
because it had made her untrue to
herself and to Johnny?
Julie was certainly having trou-
BILE with her own particular de-
mon that night. He choked her
when she tried to eat her dinner,
he leered al her from above the
sink when she washed her dishes.
You needn't remind me Of
everything" she said aloud, soft
ly. childishly. Il know. hate N.Y.
self for being myself, but can't
help it. The very thought of going
on the witness stand makes me
crawl. Johnny doesn't expect it
of me. Kennedy told me not to
worry. I have Kennedy and his
mother to think of now. can't
splash their name with mud
can't"
Covering her face with shaking
hands, she deserted her demon to
pray. "Oh. dear God, take care Of
Johnny" she pleaded Make
them see how honest he is. Don't
let him punish him for something
be did not do
She Was startled by a knock
on the door. Wiping her eyes,
consciously Tightening her ex-
preston, she opened the door.
Johnny Towne stood in the
hall. He did not smile.
Hello. Johnny" she quavered,
holding the door wide. Had he
come TO plead for her help? And
would she be able to refuse him?
Her knees were like rubber
bands. Her eyes dwelt hungrily
on his somber face. She twisted
the emerald ring on her finger.
ITO r. Caafsuuaaa