The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-03-14
TIVE eoRpoNs ARE STERN


CHAPTER Nv
Annss diagnosis q PARIS stat.
OF mind was correct Her oes.r-
walton sss q neat compound Of
hsuNe peasant shrexdne=- and af-
ieetaonste intuition Parri. ~as
spprehenslve and miserable for
precisely the reasons sns had
named.
Today. for the first time since
since that dreadful day. h. walked
boldly down through the ever
green groves toward the pond The
branches reached across the srac.
between rows and touched. re
pushed them aside and presently
came out on the little clearing
about the secret lake"
He turned and vent quickly 10
the apple tree. The young leaves
covered the branches He put his
back to the trunk and laid his
arms along the two large dropping
limbs. He wanted 10 talk 10 her.
he saw her now, clearly once
more.
Renee, my darling. I love you.
| didn't know then how much. /
know now"
Al the sound Of the words which
startled him back into the present,
all sense Of her presence was
gone. He glimpsed. for an instant
only, the flutter Of her blue dress.
down the long avenue of spruces.
Time had begun to pass. II
wouldn't ever stop now. II would
20 every day. faster and faster. A
surfing, unhappy, frightening
thought.
Aberdeen college ended its coli
lese year with the usual dull and
rePetitious ceremonies held during
what always seemed the hottest
week OF the year. Paris avoided
most Of the events.
A week later Madame Won Elm
left for st. Louis for hospital OBJ
servation, and Paris yielded to
brakes insistence on a camping
trip. His grandmother returned to
Kings Row before him. looking
less well than when she left.
He went to Anna. You've got
to tell me! What did the doctors
say ,"
Nothing new. ! must tell you.
Madame is not well. Just 20 on as
II everything were a. usual, Par
ris. Don't let her think you are
worried about her.
You're not telling me every
thing, Anna"
Run along now, Paris. I'll tell
you II there's any danger"
II was in town that afternoon
that Paris learned from Colonel
Skeffington of Mrs. Towers death.
Very strange" the Colonel said.
Nobody knew she was i'll at all.
not at all. II you notice anything
curious over there, SON"
Paris found DIR. Tower reading.
He appeared as calm and upper
turbed as always. He nodded
gravely in response to Paris
rather breathless greeting.
Il just heard a few minutes ago
about Mrs. Tower. I'm very sorry"
DR.. Tower looked as II he were
not really listening. He inclined
his head again.
Paris stammered little, and
Il was away, you know.
Ny grandmother was away, too.
in st. Louis, or you would have
heard from us.
An awkward silence fell be-
tween the two. Paris tumbled
with some papers. DR.. Tower con-
tinued to look at him, but more
than before. Paris,
like your good manners. You are
a credit to your grandmother. and
| hope you appreciate exactly what
she has done for you. You are the
only young man I've seen in Kings
Row who isn't a pumpkin.
Paris flushed dsrkly this time.
MY grandmother is pretty fine.
sir. She certainly il. But but.
really"
Madame Won Elm came TO see
me Just before she went to st.
Louis. She wanted 10 know II
you'd be ready TO go TO Vienna in
Paris breath went out Of him.
oh His tone was dreary.
What's the matter >"
well. you see. Or. Tower.
Grand mere treats me as II ! were
4 child. I tust-just sort Of feel
like she ought 10 nave told me.
You'll have 10 do some stiff
reading"
Paris sighed. An right. DO
you suppose-did she say anything
knew a Pacific war was brew
ing, In which We would be-