The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1943-03-12

are being a fool. know you are.
IL was much more afraid OF
you without q gun"
That was confession, and all
at once Pat regretted it. Sudden
ly, too, Pat realized that she her.
self was being a fool. If this
crazed girl before her really had
loaded pistol--and there was
no mistaking it-then she could
really shoot TO kill. Pats mind
began TO click more sensibly.
She had TO deal with this thing
in another way.
Lorraine, IL please lower
the gun. Sit down and let's talk. y
m doing the talking, Friday
You're doing the listening. l
told you once before to let jim
my Carr alone. | meant what !
said"
Il haven't done a thing to
| him"
She mimicked. You haven't
done a thing to him."
But | haven't! He snatched
me up and forced me-. Pat
stopped. No, darn it, she would
not put the blame on Jimmy!
Not even if this crazy girl did
shoot. Il mean, we'll you weren't
there and it was necessary for
somebody TO go. Some woman"
so you horned in. You."
Pat felt pride stirring. What
if | did? Jimmy didn't object
Pat was aghast at herself for
that. Now, if ever, the crazed
girl ought to shoot!
Centuries passed while the
two stared at each other, eyes to
eyes. But in the time there, Pat
was thinking furiously, too.
Something inside her told her
that this was in truth the show
down moment, and that she had
a chance 10 win. Her cue, she dc
cided, was to force nonchalance
If only her courage lasted!
Pat leisurely turned to cross
the room. Would the shot hit her
in the back? Kill her instantly?
Leave her bleeding in pain? All
the horror of such a tragedy
surged through her mind, but
she went to an overstuffed chair
and sat down. Lorraine had not
moved.
Lorraine, you are a fool, and
you are too cowardly to shoot
anybody. Put that gun down
and I'll talk to you. If you don't.
I'll ring downstairs, or scream
or whatever is necessary to get
you arrested and jailed and -
and probably hung!" Pat was
bluffing de luxe now.
But Lorraine slid into a chair
The pistol rested on her lap.
why don't you let him
alone.' Lorraine almost pleaded
it. Pat eyed her quickly, catch
ing the change of tone.
Pat remembered stories about
women who always outwitted
everybody. male or female
women who were psychology
cally always in control of every
situation. Pat felt like kinder
garten kid.
why don't you let him alone"
Lorraine repeated. why co you
keep annoying him."
DO you want to know the
truth" asked Pat.
The other girl stared.
Il love the man. Pat said,
coolly. Il admit it, because I'm
sure it's no secret to you, Lor-
aine. But tell you one thing
I'm not the dirty little chiseler
might be, and that you think me
to be. haven't done thing Not
one thing tO-to try and i'm
press him. l swear it, Lorraine.
And I'll tell you why. Oh don't
think I'm being generous, darn
you, Lorraine Stuart. | don't
think you're worthy of him, and
that's flat | wish could get
him. But he's blind, and he loves
you.
Lorraine managed her disdain-
full smile. Here, at least, was a
crumb of satisfaction.
Hes blind, and he loves mel"
she mimicked again. Then you
are so much better looking
Il wasn't speaking of looks
/ was talking about love. y
"Oh-h-h h" That was sarcas-
tic in tone.
Nov about this soaring
flight" Pat resumed. You were
not there at IL, and helped
Jimmy save face. Eleven o'clock
mean IL. This is the Army, Lo-
raine! We couldn't let Jimmy
down! But but if you had a
good excuse-I mean, | tried to
tell Jimmy that you probably
were just delayed. and-well
goodness. what in the world are