Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-01-10

eyes she had not seen before Was IL
hUmOr? Certainly not. The one thing
she was already sure OF was that John
Henry had no humor in his makeup
Was it anger2 1t might be. But John
Henry was still talking and she gave
him time.
I'm not thinking OF myself alone, "
he said more clearly than he had
spoken, though what I just said
might have sounded that way. I'm eX-
pcCtin' TO give Lucy good home for
the rest Of her life. She won't have 10
60 out in heat or cold any more an6
work for a few dollars a day. Shell
run the flat 20 suit herself and that
will BE- all right with me. I'll turn my
pay over TO her every week, except
what need for expenses. and she can
save it or spend It. That's up 70 her
! went interfere with her flat and she
can't interfere with me or my work"
He stood up abruptly, and Lucy, with
a startled expression, rose also.
Mrs Driscoll sat still and looked a.
them though-fully.
i've got something more to say"
she said gently. Il think Lucy would
like to hear it. In fact, she has asked
for my advice. Aren't you willing TO
listen. too?"
John Henry Howard looked at her
friendly smile, but this time he did
not return it.
Perhaps I'm wrong" he said slow
" But as l see it. this marriage OF
ours is a matter that don't concern
anyone alive but me and Lucy. I came
here because she asked me to. I've said
my say and I'm ready TO 60
Lucy sat down.
II want to hear what Mrs. Driscoll
thinks she said, Unexpectedly. Il want
you TO sit down again John Henry and
listen, too"
Mrs. Driscoll looked at them both with
added seriousness.
I've only one thing more to put be-
fore you" she said slowly.
do you love Lucy, Mr.. Howard, or
are you marrying her to be looked
after and made comforta ble?"
Lady said John Henry Howard
just as quietly. "if you'll excuse my
sayin' so I don't think that's any OF
your business"
John Henry Howard" Lucy was on
her feet, her eyes wide with horror,
her small face crimson. John Henry
stared at her, his face as red as hers.
Suddenly Mrs Driscoll understood. She
smiled again.
"I see you do. in your way" she said
comfortably. That makes me feel bet
ter. For it is the business Of anyone
who is fond of Lucy. Mr.. Howard. Lucy
is the salt of the earth. I want her to
be happy. She will decide this matter.
You will admit that it is her privilege
to decide. won't keep you any longer,
since you want to CO.
She rose, gave her hand first to Lucy
and then to John Henry. and shep-
herded them both to the door On the
threshold John Henry stopped, hest
tated. and finally spoke again.
I'm fond Of Lucy, Mrs. Driscon,"
he gulped. "She's the only thing In
my life that means anything, except
my work. But Of course my work comes
first. It always will"
Mrs. Driscoll smiled again. She
watched them walk side by side down
the hall of the big apartment build
inc. John Henry holding Jucv's right
elbow in a firm grip. as if he feared
she would get away from him.
The Wedding on Christmas Eve was
so quiet that Mrs DriScon could hard
" believe it was taking place. There
was only one other guest--Joseph wal
lace. head of the noted firm of archi-
tects. Mrs. Driscoll was surprised by
his presence and even more surprised
bv a confidence he made to her.
This is going to be a good thing for
Howard" he told her in the church
parsonage while the newly married
couple signed the register. Put I'm
not sure it's going to be good thing
for that nice little creature he's mar
RED"
"Why not?" Mrs. Driscoll, who had
been Schooling herself TO optimistic
thought on this subject. did not real
lie that her voice was sharp with
anxiety
"Oh. for a good many reasons-too
many to go into here the architect
said-"especially as both Towards are
bearing down on us right now ne
added as the bride and groom came
toward them. He had brought them
to the wedding in his handsome limou-
sine, and after the ceremony Mrs.
Driscoll drove to the station with the
three. As they drove away from the
station and back to Mrs. Driscoll
apartment building. Wallace filled IN
a bit Of the gap he had left in his
earlier explanation.
How well do you know Howard?
he asked her when they had turned
into Park avenue. :,
admitted. I've met him only once
when Lucy brought him to my apart
ment."
architect told her. But I suppose a
man has to make some concessions
to his betrothed. especially just before
the wedding"
Mrs. Driscoll did not smile.
you brighten me-" she said briefly
and added before she could check the
words. whats the matter with the
MANI"
"a whole lot" he told her. The
principal thing is that he can't gel
on with other human beings. He's got
every man in my studio down on MN
and half a dozen Of them have threat
ened to leave if I don't fire him: I
have fired him a dozen times-and in
variably and humbly taken him back.
The apologies and overtures have al
ways been made by me. But I'll have
to fire him for good some day. That
will no hard on me and on the little