Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-05-08
ALINE MOSBY

they'll keep you in one''-was his crack
on that subject.
Sunday morning, Pete suggested
mass at the cathedral. Pete was al
! ways suggesting mass, and sometimes
he got Joe to go because his mother
would like to know he did-sometimes.
This morning, Joe wasn't having any,
so Pete went off, whistling Lead
Kindly Light" and left Joe still pack
ing the suitcases he had been packing
ever since they came in the night
before
Joe was feeling jumpy. The line of
Petes-about his conscience-would
not leave his mind though Vivian's
whole being was showing it around
Why not take a walk? Get some
air and just drop in to say hello? :. &.
Get her some lilacs? Yeah-just
hand them to her, grab a little kiss
and beat it. :. She said she had dates
all day-but she'd be just getting up.
He was in the street and walking
uptown now. What day. June.
. . What's the date? . the 10th?
&. that's funny. tomorrow's
mothers birthday. first time
ever forgot it.
His thoughts were racing but his
pace was slowing down. He stopped
at the flower stand on the corner 81
want some lilacs, please"
Right here, sir!" 1t was a woman
who answered him an elderly
woman . just about the age mother
would be tomorrow. DO you want the
lavender or white, son?" Her voice
was soft . it even sounded like
mothers.
white, guess" Joe said.
II love the white Ones" the soft
voice was saying. Il used to grow them
years ago." She was wrapping paper
around the stems tenderly. Taking
them to your sweetheart" she smiled.
She'll love them"
Joe was staring at her now. Have
you a son?" he said.
Indeed, I have-and he Is in the
army. He's at Camp Dix-and I'm SO
proud of him! He's going to be a
have faith In him."
Joe felt his throat tightening Then
he will be, I'm sure" he said.
'Of course, he will" She smiled.
You know what the Good Book says:
According to your faith be it unto
you"
Yes, I know" Joe took his change
and the lilacs. my mother used to say
that" he said. well, thanks and good
by" He walked away quickly.
At the corner he looked back. She
was waving to him. Mothers man"
it was his own mothers voice j.. &.
he heard her now Z. BE good and
strong. I'll be watching you"
Something snapped inside the heart
that Joe thought belonged to Vivian
Lester. What a heel he had been to
Pete. :. What a selfish and so-and-
so, to let him down on the date at
Camp Dix. . Vivian would have to
wait day so he could keep the date.
That's it. He would explain to
her how much Pete had done for
him. Vivian would understand.
And if she didn't-Well, to hell
with the yacht.
He reached the apartment house
out of breath from talking sense to
himself. AS had become his custom
and was his privilege, he went right
up to the apartment without announc-
ing himself. AS he stepped from the
lift, mans voice, raised in anger,
greeted him. The elevator boy closed
the door quickly. Vivian's apartment
faced the elevator, and through the
transom. Joe heard himself being
PACED:
Joe Duggen! Joe Duggen! Why not
Joe Doaks? Well! Are you going to
eXplain-or do choke it out of you?"
Darling, I actually believe you are
serious! Vivian was laughing.
You know I'm serious! You can't
laugh me out of the reports I've had.
Didn't expect me back for weeks, did
va? You forgot you can't count on
distance any more-airplanes are just
as good at dropping unexpected guests
as they are at dropping bombs!"
why. Jim!" her voice was caress-
ing now. Joe clutched his lilacs fierce
lyD MY darling, you're acting like a
bad little boy" (Joe could feel her
arms going around his neck) Jim!
Look at me! That's better. This Joe
Duggen is young ham with a good
voice, that Max Merwyn is handling,
and he asked me to take an interest
in the boy and try to get him in the
next show"
one till fall" He was yelling again.
"Of course, darling, but we have to
plan ahead for any male talent on
account of the draft. We figured this
boy would never get in the army. He's
good looking-in sort of weak way
and if I had found he was good
bet
II don't believe you, but what's the
use?" His voice was softening.