The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-03-20
KIN GS ROW
By HENRY BEllAMANN

wanted him herself More than
ever now. II only she had some
way Of calling him back Shed
pocket a lot Of her pride. she'd
20 more than halfway but she
didn't even have that chance
now. He never even looked her
usy any more She had written
70 him. but he had not answered.
She thought Of Paris Mitchell.
II PARIS we're here, she believed
she'd try 20 get hun TO help
strsighten things out. Paris
could do anything with Drake.
Il seemed.
She sat down on the edge of
the bed and hunched her thin
shoulders ss she braced herself
against tears.
Downstairs Mrs. Gordon had A
sudden intuition. She went quiet
" To Louise's room and opened
the door. Louise vas crying now.
Louise"
Louise did not turn. She
dropped her head, and was
silent.
What are YOU crying about 80
Does it make any differ
ence ,"
Mrs Gordon's face hardened.
She was angry at Drake, and
still angrier at Randy Monas-
han. Her narrow fierce devotion
to her own child took a strange
turn in her mind. All the harsh
violence Of her feeling turned
on Louise as II she were TO
blame.
Don't answer me like that,'
Why can't you let me alone 30
"Oh, I know what you're cry
ing abou I saw Drake McHugh
going by with that little-no-
body from downtown. Aren't
you ashamed of YOURSELF
For what For letting her
take him away from me-"
Louise You know what
mean. Haven't you any self
respect"
No"
Well. / almost believe you.
If he wants to run around with
that kind of trash"
Louise stood up. Her eyes
were dry now, and she was trem-
bling Il wish it was me-"
Mrs. Gordon dropped her cro-
cheting and struck Louise across
the mouth with all her strength.
Louise stood perfectly still. A
little streak of blood showed on
her lips. Mechanically she wiped
it away with the back Of her
hand. Mother, don't you ever
do that again. Don't you ever
touch me again as long as you
live"
And what will you do about
it, Miss >"
"Tll kill you" Louise said
calmly. Then. shouting. she
pushed Mrs. Gordon toward the
door.
Get out Of here, Get out Of
here, do you hear? Get out Of
here"
brakes horse clop-clopped
softly along the sandy road.
The wheels made scarcely a
sound. The buggy top was down
and the late sun glistened on
Randys thick shining hair.
I've got TO 60 home" she said.
"Aw-what for?"
TITS getting late. Pan be
getting home, and ne likes me
to be there for supper"
We'll, il you want to"
Why don't you come home
and have supper with u.s."
You want me to-"
"Of course. I think Pa likes
you ever since that time you
walked in and asked him right
out Of YOU could take me out
buggy-riding."
Never says anything against
me-"
Never. Not a word. He al
ways says you're all right"
Gee. That's nice"
What's new from Parris?"
Randy asked as they nesred
town.
Just short notes. Seems TO
be getting along"
I think people talk more
about Paris now than they did
when he was here"
"Yeh. He's somebody you
don't forget, somehow. But 1
thlnk this old towns proud OF
having him over in Europe
studying medicine"
Yes I think so too. Like
Vera Lichinsky."
What about her."
Shes gone TO Europe. too"
You don't say"
About two months ago.
There was q long piece in the
paper about her. She's going to
be a concert violinist."
Randy laughed shortly.
Aren't We the old stick-in-the-
muds ="
brakes glance was deeply
serious. It's good for me that
you're here.
ITO BE Continued)