Evening star., 1952-09-10

was a wlzened man in a dirty
apron. with gaps in his brown
teeth. They had both seemed
warmly goodnatured in the few
broken sentences they had spoker,
to him. Another grotesque image
presented itself: Mrs. Minotti and
his mother shaking hands. He
shook his head.
We'll. there was a nurse I once
didn't marry" said his father
thoughtfully. But I have no re-
gretS. Your mother and I have
had a fine life. Well, they'll
be wondering what happened to
u.s." Still he made no move to 90
Dad. is there something else
you want to talk about?"
| The father hesitated. Nothing
that can't wait" He put his hand
on his sons shoulder. This isn't
necessarily a bad time for you
Willie. The Navy"
Not If emerge in one piece
It might do me good"
1T might. Let's co."
Willie glanced at his watch as
they re-entered the living room
Five to 4. He made hasty excuses
to the guests, overriding his
mothers loud protests. She fol-
lowed him to the door. when will
see you again, dear?" she said
as he pulled the belt tight on his
blue raincoat.
Next Saturday, Nom, If I stay
out of trouble"
"Oh. no. I'll come and see you
before that"
TOrmenting Pleasure.
1t was twenty past 6 when he
rushed into the Stork Club. At
l1:25 Willie and May climbed into
a taxi and fell into the most rack
ing kisses they had ever ex-
changed. 1t was not pleasure. it
was torment which neither could
stop. The taxi drew up under the
street lamp at the entrance to
Furnald Hall. Keep going" he
SAID chokingly to the driver.
Where to, mister?"
I don't care. Up and down
Riverside drive. Just so we get
back here by midnight"
Fright, mister"
The driver started his motor and
Slid the glass panel closed between
hlmself and his passengers. The
taxi plunged downhill to the drive
.There were more kisses and broken
futile words. May held Willie's
head comfortingly to her bosom,
and stroked his hair. sometimes
I think you like me-" she said.
i don't know why God makes
human jellyflsh like Willie Keith
you know what Marty Rubin
says"
Damn Marty Rubin"
You don't know it. Willie, but
he's a friend of yours"
Willie sat up. This whole mess
started with him"
Il asked him what I ought to
do about you"
And he said throw me out"
mo. He says he thinks you
really love me-"
Well. hooray for Marty"
He wondered whether I would
become more acceptable to your
mother If I enrolled in college"
Willie was astounded. Moaning
and protesting his undying love
was one thing. But this was a
serious matter.
i could do it," said May eagerly.
II could still get into the February
class at Hunter. I had good
marks in high school though you
do consider me an ignoramus. I
even have Regents scholarship,
If it's still good. Marty says he
can get me enough bookings in
and around New York to keep me
going. I only work nights, any
way"
Willie wanted to spar for time.
His beautiful prize was drifting
within reach again, but on sober
ing terms. May regarded him with
lustrous, hopeful eyes. Her hard
boiled wariness was all gone.
Gould you stand going back to
School?"
I'm pretty tough" she said.
Sees Challenge in May.
Willie realized that she spoke
truly. She was not a companion
for good times any more. but a
challenger to his mother for his
life. 1t had all changed in a few
minutes: he was dizzied. III
tell you Gods truth. May. I don't
think it would make a particle of
difference to my mother"
Would it to you?"
Willie looked into her eyes and
quailed and turned away.
Don't trouble, darling" she
said with sudden dryness. II pre-
dicted the answer to Marty. /
said I don't blame you. I don't.
Tell the little man to take you
back to the Navy. It's late"
But when the taxi parked again
at Furnald Hall and Willie had to
get out and leave May behind
forever. he couldn't do it. At
three minutes to IL, he started a
desperate harangue to recover lost
ground. On the sidewalk outside.
mldshipmen were running, walk
ing and staggering toward the
entrance. Several were kissing
girls in hooks of the building.
The tenor of Willie's plea was
that he and May ought to live for
an hour and gather rosebuds while
they might.
Listen, Willie darling" said
May. "for the last time, because
we're all finished. I'm a poor
Bronx girl with a lot of problems
don't want to add a hopeless ro-
nance to them. All I want is q
chance to make some money and
live III peace. I was a fool to fall
IN love with you. and I don't know
why I did, because you're a bigger
! f001 than orn Evootinv,e11~, ,,e,,,x.