Evening star., 1942-02-15
Illustrated by Ton Wsbb

phone. But can't you tell me now. Mildred?'
q u Paul said he would rather tell you him
self You con come over for supper. can't you?"
"Yes. I'D like to-
Fine. Mat. Well look for you
Mataee replaced the telephone receiver and turned
to look at the clock - the dollar alarm clock atop the
cigarette scared radio that seldom picked up anything
but assortment of snars and groans from the huge
factory down the street. Four O'Clock. The eightto
four shift would be pouring out through the gates in
few minutes, but if she took the back road to Mil
dreds house. she would avoid most of the pushing and
showing What on earth could Paul be so anxious to
tell her about Joe?
She put on her hat and wrap-around coat, noting
with dismay how sadly the sitting needed dust
ing. Today she had meant to do the whole house. One
had to keep eveastngly at these furnished bungalows
their drabness showed like fostering sore through
the thin of charm supplied by bravely bright
curtains and dime store ornaments.
But her busting plans had gone awry, so many of
her plans did nowadays. The sixth month was well
under way, and life had acquired definite touch of
uncertainty. Little Joo did not always behave accord
ing to the book on prenatal care!
She carefully clung to the railing on her way down
the porch steps, The factory whistle was blowing She
gazed at the great dark haze of smoke above the fiat
rooted buildings and thought of Joe Joe had worked
there 1t why they had rented this furnished place
close by. Now he was in Alaska. On the map that
hung above the kitchen table. where morning after
morning she ate breakfast alone, his island looked like
of string of pearls cvng into the brilliant blue
of Bering Sea.
Five months ago he had said. We'll, Mat, 50 long,"
and gone to do his bit in the defense of his country
Only Joe didn't think of it doing his bit. Joe was
hardheaded. practical. PAL he had said when
this mess is - this awful mess that's spreading
through Europe to wreck the world - there won't be
anything left, anywhere That includes us. Don't kid
yourself into thinking this country of will be the
ark perched Ararat when the food subsidies. Any
one who plans beyond tomorrow is a fool!''
he HAD made good money here in Millville. But
because he knew electricity and had worked in
the wids of the Canadian Northwest for power COM
pany. the Alaska job had been tailor rn,ade for him.
his application for transfer had been snapped up
Immediately. Now he was making even more money
and that what Joe wanted. Il intend to grab it
while can, he had said. 1T won't be around long'
Mataee studied the faces of the men she passed,
men with lunch boxes and tired shoulders and won
dered if they felt the same way about things. She
didn't. She cung desperately to belief in future that
would be brighter nober than the past Within her now
were the marvellous STRINGS of life that would
bavey go forward with her. But she had not told Joe
She had meant to tell Joe. The night before he
stepped aboard the train that night. five months
ago. when for the first time she was sure she had
planned to tell him. planned hop to tell him. Nothing
50 casual Joe. darling, we're going to have baby"
Oh no! 1t event. to be shered in with fanfare
and an overture!