The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-05-21

askance. His mother was no more
hospitable than etiauet demanded.
The drama began at once
with Susie overworking the
adjective swell" laughing too
often and too loudly. Once
she said In an audible whisper
to Julie, Gee, you're going to
have things soft. Kid" Julie
agreed happily to everything.
II was at dinner that the act
really got under way. Julie, Grim
soned checked with the audacity
of her scheme, pretended great
fondness for her friend. Susie. The
girls giggled and talked personali-
ties while the dignified spates
dined silently.
At last Susie said. Gosh. I don't
know what TO do with all these
forks. Where did you learn, Julie
You certainly were a little bum
in Brookfield."
1--WE come a long way. don't
you think ?" Julie returned with
conscious pride. Turning to Ken
nedy, she almost lost heart al
sight Of his stricken face. After
Mike - he's my father - lost his
money we lived like tramps," she
explained.
"I'll say you did," Susie booted
waving fork to attract Mrs
Spates attention. jules grand
father lived with 'em, you know
He always drank like a fish and
after they lost everything he took
to the gutter"
She laughed immoderately.
"Do you remember how the
boys used to carry him home
and shove him In the back
door. Julie ."
A startled CLEAN sprsng stimuli
taneously to the eyes Of Mrs
Spate and her son. They ex
changed glances. Kennedy cleared
his throat.
why have you never told us Of
your family. Julie ," he asked.
She shrugged. I'm not
proud OF my family. All the
men have died of alcoholism
In some form or other"
Yeah" Susie put in. Her ole
mans right here in New York
hitting II up. He'll come to the
same bad end, mark my word"
Mrs. Spate's mole disappeared
completely a. she drew in her lips
Kennedy put down his salad fork
Julie looked at her plate to hid.
the guilt and shame in her eyes
She seemed TO see Mikes horri
fled face. She seemed to hear tn,
condemning voices OF her respec
table family. Susie. however. hat
no inhibitions. She was goin,
strong.
"Oh. they were a mess. tina
Patton gang" she went on. Flu
for the whole town. The boy
used to tease jules little brothe
he was on the simple side, IL yol
know what mean-they used y
put him up to stunts like THROWN,
stones at church windows an,
turning in fire alarms - Graz,
things like that"
Julie leaned her head on n
hand. laughing merrily. And
Grandma, Susie-uill you ever
forget Grandma - In an aside
she said To the aghast Ken
needy. "Grandma Was = KEEP
tomaniac.-
I'm say she was" Susie bubblec
Shed steal the dsrndest things
bird cages and laundry soap
once she came home with a man
hole cover-hit il under her bed
oh, lordy, your family was a riot
Julie"
Julie saw a covert glance pas
between Kennedy and his mother
The old lsdy's expression plsinl
said. That's what we get for on
trouble-s nobody-common tras
-" Julie decided that more Of tn
same was unnecessary. She so
monished Susie with a shake c
her head. The dinne~ proceede
without further condolences.
AfterUard Julie urged her frien
to spend the night at Spate will
SUSIE declined with an airy. Go
a date with my boy friend. I
come out again some other tins
II one Of the men will give me
lift TO the bus line III be obliged.
The Spates. mother and son.
stood In frozen silence as SUI
sic Was driven away. They
hoard her parting shot.
-You've got n swell berth
here. Julie"
As the car disappeared aroun
a bend in the tree bordered drive
way Julie turned a delighted fac
TO her betrothed. saying. Ism
she fun? Susie Is the best pal
girl ever had. I'm glad shes !
New York. Well see a lot Of her.
Ito be cOntinueol