Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1946-01-25


and I will be seeing a lot Of each
other"
Elizabeth nearly answered, mot
If can help it," but she lied bright
ly and said she hoped so, and added
no, she couldn't possibly drive back
to town with Mrs. Farnsworth, be-
cause she had called for Spratt at
the studio and had to drive him
back there. Spratt put a bill on
the table top to pay the check, and
without waiting for change he and
Elizabeth got out to their car,
"Oh Lord!" he groaned as he sank
into it. Haven't I got enough to
put up with without having to run
into fools like that?"
Elizabeth got in under the wheel.
II was wondering" she remarked,
when you said Dick shouldn't be
ashamed to be courteous to anybody,
if we shouldn't be ashamed to be
courteous to her. This town really
has more than its share of overfed
imbeciles. What sort of man is her
husband?"
"A very good director, thanks to
her." Spratt returned. HE works
himself to death to keep from hav-
ing to 60 home. That's why she'll
believe any yarn about night work"
why on earth is he married to
herr" Elizabeth wondered.
God knows. Maybe she was cute
and cuddly when she was eighteen,
and now she's so excessively vir-
tuous he can't get rid of her. And
she cost me twenty dollars"
Its not quite lost if any of it gets
to the Greeks"
1T WON'T" said Spratt. at will
60 to buy Scotch for her party. Don't
you know how those things are rum
They pay for the liquor out of the
contributions, and if anything is left
over it goes to the cause"
Elizabeth began to laugh. For
get it, Spratt. Twenty dollars is a
small price to get away from her.
My Aunt Grace was like that. Right
now she's probably having a lovely
time in heaven, organizing a cam
paign to get brighter haloes for the
lesser angels. Do you still feel
better about the pictures?"
"Yes, in spite of that nitwit." He
grinned at her as she guided the car
along the boulevard. Maybe I need
brush with some dame like that
once in awhile to appreciate my own
good fortune"
That's left-handed compliment,
but thank you. I'll keep my fingers
crossed for your refugee to have an
inspiration"
Il rather think he will. He's a
good fellow. You should meet him
sometime"
Bring him to dinner"
Il will, one of these days. I
imagine poor Kessler could use a
little amusement. He's a cripple
can hardly walk, and only one
hand"
What shame Did the Nazis do
that to him?"
Il don't know. suspect they did.
He doesn't say so, but he turns a sort
of furious greenish white whenever
anybody mentions them. Anyway,
he does have ideas. 1 hope he has
one today" Spratt turned toward
her and repeated, And thanks for
coming out"
You know you're welcome"
She took her eyes from the traffic
for an instant to give him a COM
radely smile. Spratt smiled back.
I'VE do have a pretty good time,
don't WEI" she said, looking down
the road again.
Eyes We do. In spite of war, meat
shortage and bores. Elizabeth"
"Yes?"
You're not worried about Dick,
are your"
Il try not to be-" she returned
briefly.
Don't be. He's got to 60 next
year when he's eighteen, you know"
I'm trying not to think about it
until then"
That's all right. Just remember
this. He's had a good life, he's
mighty decent kid, we never did ex-
pect to keep him at home forever.
Besides, this war is about some
thing"
Eyes, it is" she answered in a
~" 'oiSe. bul III HOl going 10
pretend it doesn't hurt. l wish Cher
ry had been the oldest, so both the
boys would be under age. That's
cowardly, isn't it? I've had a good
life too, and one reason I've had it
is that l happened to be born in the
United States. I ought to be willing
to give something back to my coun-
try. But-well, think l can prom
Use that when it happens l won't be
a weeping little mother, but you
know how it is
Sure know. feel like that my
self. But we might as well figure it
this way. Nothing we can give up
to win this war can be compared to
what we'll give up if we lose it.
Don't forget that"
II won't. I really don't think
about it very much, Spratt."
"Okay,' Spratt said understand
ingly. lone day at time. That's
enough"
They were passing the high wall
that surrounded the studio lot.
Elizabeth turned the car in at the