10
LIVING ALONE
o live alone, eller in the com-
plete isolation of a house of one's own, or in the semi-loneliness of lodgings, has always been regarded by the majority of propte na a most unsatisfactory state of affairs.
It ever we pause to think of those solitary people it is to conjure up a picture of an old mald, grown queer with the years and surrounded by her pets, or of some poor, helpless man having endless trouble with housekeepers or weary to death of unsatisfactory landladies.
to
that
But here I venture those pictures are all wrong, that the people who live alone enjoy a much fuller life than those who are constantly surrounded by reintives of friends.
The obvious advantages of the lone dweller are many. They are free to come and go as they please, decisions can be made Immediately, and their whole efforts can be con- centrated on the project they may have on hund without any irritating distractions.
The Character Refined
But there are other advantages not qulte so obvious. Living alone, for instance, develops the senses of responsibility and perception.
The solitary person gradually be- comes an excellent judge of charac- ter, and while this process is taking place his own, character being steadily improved. There is a fin ing down, an elimination of all that does not matter, so that there is left a person keenly alive to the true perspective of things, which accounts for the fact that artists and writers are usually people of solitary habits.
There is so little quietness in the world to-day. The work of the average town dweller is accomplish- ed amongst much noise, evenings are spent in crowded theatres or picture houses, and even holidays are taken in the muss. The crowd clement is rampant, with the result that the mindy and appearances of the people are becoming stereotyped. What better then to counteract this than the quietness of a room or fat that Is a one's own? Naise has been deser.bed as the enemy of thought; and as the grave of culture. Afrakt of Solitude
Most people are afraid to live alone. They dread the thought of lonely hours, forgetting the golden opportunities to pursue their aspira- tions to the full. Nor must they jib at the stigma of being culled selfish and self-centred. It is the solitaries who have given most to the world.
There are many who, either through economic necessity or force of circunstances, never attain mar- ringe. But should they despair? They may have missed one form of happiness, but there are others, and it in good to know that more solitude would give to the world the clear thinking it so desperately needs,
J. A. B.
I'll Never Drive Again
NO. I don't mean that I have been disqualified from holding
i1
licence for dangerous driving, or that I have lost my nerve in n crash. After less than four months of motor- ing I have voluntarily sold my car, and my garage will be empty per- manently.
Let me review my brief experl- ence as a motorist,
First of all the delicious satisfac- tion of owning a sleek, handsome' car, and the exhilaration of person- ! ality that comes from the feel of 12 h.p. answering perfectly to your con- trols. Then
my apprehensiveness when I went for my driving test (my friends bad
spoken to me durkly about the wily ways of examiners) my relief when I passed it with and flying colours, having even negotiat- ed an unexpected lest in the shape of a little girl who crossed the rond somewhat erratically in my path with a decision that must have impressed the examiner, who set no traps to catch me off iny guard.
I threw the embarrassing La on: the fire, and began to pleture plea- sant, care-free days a-wheel, Wool-Gathering
But there was a snag. The trouble is that I am an absent-minded and reflective person, and I have fallen into the way of doing certain things mechanically while my mind is really grappling with some problem concerning my work.
I soon realised with dismay that I was beginning to drive my car in the same way. More than once I found myself being snatched from u at of wool-gathering by the sight of the fall of a car looming up in front of me in a traffle Jam, and only averting a collision by standing hard on everything.
Now, I still believe I am a good driver. This is to say that I have on aptitude for the mechanism of car, and my reflexes are briak enougli. But
for all my qullity to handle n car well and to act quickly in on emergency. I know that in certain circumstances 1 can be a very dan- gerous driver. With the ronds 80 growded as they are. I am a poten- tlal' menace to others, as well" ns. myself, and so I have decided to give up driving.
Self-Satisfied Drivers
10
THE HONGKONG
TELEGRAPH.
TEST
WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR
Trying out a new type of motor in the Thompson Trophy Race, lot Jim Lane captures top honors. Another pilot, how over la killed in the race, and Jim secretly divides his prico award of ten thousand dollars sosth the dead flier'e wife and family. Drinking to excess that avening, Jim disappears. Itin
wife, Ann, te taken home by his buddy, Gunner loans, who then goes to amarch for him.
Copyrihi 1919 by Loew's Jom,
Chaptor Nino
Jim Lane lay stretched cat in bed, almost fully dressed. Gunner entored the room, stood over him for a moment, and then started to shake him. Finally Jim opened his eyes. They were bloodshot,
"Don't shake me," Jim muttered. "Don't shake mo"
"I been 'phoning you for a long time. Why didn't you answer?" Gunner demanded.
"What do I want to answer it for when I know who it was?” Jim said | wearily.
Gunner soated himself on the edge of the bed. Jim closed his eyes na if the bright sunlight streaming Into the room was too much for him. There was a brief allence; then Jim opened his eyes again and sat up, leaning an one elbow, shaking, his head. But the effort was too much for him and he dropped down against the pillow with a groan.
"Do you know what day it is?" Gunner said.
"I know it's day and it isn't night
Isn't that enough?**
"I couldn't spend ten thousand in four days,"
Jim said,
"Do you know where you are?" Jim tried to concentrato. "The Inst thing I remember I was in De- troll," ho said slowly.
"Yeh, you chartered a tri-motor pinue from thers...with two pilots, and a stewardess, and a bar...to take a lot of ball fans to Cincy!"
Jim stared dazedly at the calling. imm...bait gano. Following the Tigers, wasn't I?
"Yeh, Through a couple of fine expansive wrecked saloons...And now you're in Chicago."
"Chicago-?" "YAZ"
Buddenly Jim started to sing. "Chicago, Chicago," but he broke off, holding his head. "I don't feel like doing that," he complained.
"Why, you've boon in every city but Pittsburgh!" Gunner exclaimed. Pittsburgh Jini sat up with a frown. Pittsburgh and Ann/
"Whore is she?" he demanded. "Well, the inst time I saw her aho was in Cleveland, four days ago." Gunner said. "But you needn't worry. I've talked to her over the phone and I had just enough dough to wire her back to New York"
Jim groaned again, realizing what ho had dono.
"And speaking of dough," Gannor continued sarcastically, "I suppose you've got my five grand bandy7"
"Yoh. Look in my pants."
П
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26. 1938.
Our New Serial
PILOT
nor said, "She's got your number. ho, as well na I have. She's a good girl. Sho'd make a fine wito for somebody"
*
Jim and Gunner tip-toed softly across the floor. Jim opened the bedroom door and looked in.
"Asleep," he whispered. "I'll go in and and how aho “
Well, I think that's fine," G- ner whispered back.
"What are you going to do?" Gunner pointed toward the front door. "I'm staying right whore. I can get out quick."
“Wine guy, ch?”
"Well, you're the guy that taker the chancen.”
Jim started into the bedroom. Suddenly, he stopped. "Hey, want to come in with me?" he akad.
"No, air!"
Jim stood for a moment looking down at Ann. In a moment sho had opened her eyes. They looked at oach other,
"Hello," she said softly, sleep in bor voice.
Ho sat down on the bed and look her hands in his, "How are you,
Ann?"
"I don't think I was asleep...How aro y
"Badd boy 7"
I guess "Feeling tow7"
"I've been up higbar." There was a pause. "I'm flad to see you."
"I'm glad, too...Is Gunner out there?"
"Yeh,"
"I be out in a minute, then. Go ahead."
Gunner watched him anxiously as Jim cnnie out of the bedroom,
"Nothing to It." Jim boasted, "What did she say?" "Nothing." Gunner nodded.
Ann, who ha
slipped on ressing gown, sud- denly appeared, and they all sat down amid an awkward silence. Jim, nervously, lighted a cigarette. "What have you been doing?" bo asked abruptly.
Ann thought for a moment. "Well, dear," she said slowly, "You've had much more fun than I have these last five days. I've been trying to think of some way to be cross with
you...Oh, Jiay if I could only hate you!"
"What do you want to hate me far?" ho naked lightly.
"Because don't it there and look that way, dear, Loolt, Gunner, he's looking at me like he did back in Kansas. Just looking." She laugh- ed a bit hystorically. Then sudden ly sho was self-controlled and gay again.
And won't the landlady be glad to sèo you, too. Oh, yes, how she kes you! Sho keeps making me, "When in the world will Bir. Lane be home?""
Jim started to pace the floor, feel- Ing miserable,
She's a fine woman," he said. "Oh, yes," Ann agreed. "Just catch her trusting anyone else. Just my weet baby!
"What do we owe her, darlingTM" Jim naked, his back toward Ann.
"Oh, about two hundred dollara." "Well, that's nothing, in it?"
Gunner rose and stopped aver to "No, but I'll bet you haven't got chair where Lane's rumpled all of that ten thousand left. Wive trousers hung. Quickly he went days. Why, I'll bet you haven't got through the pockets. Thore was no over...over mix or even thousand thing thoro. He turned to Jim and loft!" Rentüred a zero with his fingers. "Good gag, Gunner!" Jim said. "I ain't gogging!" Gunner said angrily. Ile picked up a cont
Look in ny vort," Jim called "The rest isn't boro!"* Cunnor turnod toward the bed. "Well," he said. "It was a nice race, and I'm glad you won "
"It's terrible. I don't understand how I could do a thing like this," Jim tried to think." I must have given some of it to somebody to keep. I couldn't spend ten thousand in four days!".
"You mean five thousand, don't you, boy?"
"what do you moan, five?" Jim repiled cautiously,
Oh, I heard in a roundabout way that Mr. Bonson had five thousand in cash."
"Yeh? How'd she get it?"
"Not over that, dear."
"Oh, well," she said. laughing. "that's a lot more than ten dollars, Remember the night we only lad ten dollars, Jim? Boy!"
Jim was perspiring now. There was n pauso: Finally Ann stood up and, coming over, held out her hand. Jim stared at her.
"I'm sorry, Ann, I'm brolie," he and slowly.""
"I'm asking for your hand, Jim," she replied tenderly. "I want to shake it. I know you're broke. I was only teasing. But I know Mrs. Benson lan't broke...and that was lovely of you, pal. Only you must have been funny, giving it to hor. I wish I'd been behind n screen."
Jim stared at her, alowly realiz Ing what she was saying. He took her.in his arms.
"You're awell!" he exclaimed.
"I wonder. I guess she found it. "You know what I'm going to do nybo Drake gave it to hor. Did right now. I'm going to show you anyone over tell you. Jim, that what I think of you. I'm going out when you He, you squint your nose and grab some booze, and I'm go ... All right, baby. We'll pick up Ing to drink to you!" the piecos and go on home...where! ffe went out, alamming the door. we don't belong.”
Jim frowned. "Teh. I kot to 5 while," he aald, and that's the first "I've been around him a long home and any I'm sorry, haven't 17 time I ever heard him praise any- And if there's any fuss, I'm going thing but himself. I can't bo to bo sorry I'm married. She't bot- savo it
tor he careful how she talka!"
"The might surprise you," Gun-l
Gunner stared after him..
wronghended and obstinate most menhimself to become. fatigued and eye- are about their driving ability,
weary by such orgies of road burn-
A man will cheerfully admit to being is out of place on a modern road. ing a duffer at bridge and stand anys concentration is bound to suffer, armount of criticism of his form stand should his attention wander dur- golf, but he is instantly up in armsing a critical moment, an accident is if it is suggested that he is not a per-inevitable, but he would indignantly fect driver.
repudiate the nectisation that he is Some men set out overy week-enda dangerous driver.
and knock up fantastic mileages in I wonder what effect there would cheap, low-powered cars, mileagesbe on the statistics of road accidents which under the best of conditionalf overy driver were to follow my would reduce a professional driverexample and examine his driving Talking about this decision to my to a state of strain and nervous ex-ability without vanity. friends, I began to realise how Chaustion. Now a man who nilows
J. IL
BY
HALSEY
RAINES
Chaptor Ton
she confessed she had tried? Didn't sho have a ticket that would never be used?
Jim took a corkscrew from tho table drawer. "She's all right for some other guy,"_ho_muttered. "Joa was made to order."
"I don't know about that," Gun- ner and slowly.
"I guess I'm kinda fussy...can't have anything ordinary," Jin sald. "Please don't talk that way, Jim," Gunner pleaded.
Jim was busy opening the but- tle. "Oh, you're going to tell no. how to talk!"
"No, I'm not going to
say n word"
"That'll be a record, won't it?" He worked on the cork, "You're a soft, sentimental cluck, Gunner, Ann reached for a cigarette, Gunlike that, either. You couldn't win when it comes to women. They don't a lamp if they put a skirt on IL around, taking 'em to the train.” You'll always be the fall guy
ner could non aho was deep in thought. Finally abo spoko.
"It's easy to be gallant...when you're doomed," she said quietly.
Gunnor started, "What do you menn, doomed?"
"You should ask me that," she ald slowly. "I've had five days to Inink, haven't I? Don't you think I know he has to get drunk? Aren't we both married to him? And don't you think, Mr. Gunner, I have tried to walk out? I've oven got a ticket in my pocketbook. I've packed my hag no many times, it's worn out But I didn't go....
She started to pace the floor. Bad- denly, as if it were distasteful to her, she dropped the cigarette into an ash tray.
"Yeh," Gunnor muttered.
"Always. Listening to their woes. Well, I don't listen to 'em. They listen to mino!" Io yanked the cork out at last. "But I got to admit," ho said reflectively, "that I'm slow- ing up I oven asked her to stay." He poured himself a drink. That must have been somebody else," ho murmured. "Must have been you and I thought it was mo."
He tossed off the drink, fiercely, "But it seas me! You were in the room, you heard me. asked her to stay! I did something I actually I never did before in my life. I "Gunner, get this," she went on. naked a dame to stay in a room Three roads face us, and there's with me! And I didn't ask her doom at the end of each. Suppose once...I asked her twice? Met A he didn't drink. So be sts around... litis country girl. off a Kansan his nervea screaming...be aita farm, and I asked her! I could cut around drinking warsaparilla with my tongue outl-When she comes Ann. How nice! How he would lovel out, I'll tell her..."
..jour
"Don't say anything, dear," she said.
my
The bedroom door opened, slowly, The second road is worse than and Ann stood thoro...still wearing that. Suppose de gave up altogether her negligeal They stared at her ... retired from flying and worked and she smiled wanly, on the ground. Imagine a bian with "I'm packed," aho said. She hold his heart in the sky...ving with a up
empty hands. "See all woman on the ground. His mind things? You just happened to comu would rot with longing, and be back the wrong moment, dear. I wouldn't like himself very much, was telling Gunner how lonesome and I wouldn't like him, either. Ob, I was, that's all. That's a tributo so, no! He's in love with a woman to you, my darling. You wouldn't with wings...and she's got him! I want me not to be, would you?" have no way to cut her out. I can't "Gunner oven buy a prettier dress! I offer him never tell you one word I said... promised ho'd fo and she offers him death. And and I promise if you still want I can offer no victory to match the me never again to say one cross thrill of beating her."
word again... and to understand completely that your life is yours." Jim stared at her for a long time. Iis face softened. "Well, Ann, what do I say to that?"
Gunner let it sink in. "What's the third road?" be asked quietly. "We're pa It. We go on an nothing bad happened. Ho goca in the next race and I worry to death, Ho wing the race and goes on a bat...with his air girl. I wait home until it's over, then there's another raco, another bat, and another and another until, somo day, when he's not quite so young and quick, she slaps him out...and Mrs. Benson takes another man home on the train." She paused. "Or maybe you know another road?"
Gunner said nothing.
“Don't say anything, donr," sha anid, taking his hands. "Goc, I'm glad to see you, you crazy loon!"
Gunner qulotly slipped out of the house.
Jim was laughing as he adjusted his flying sult and watched Gunner making a last-minute check-up of a now, fast-looking little plane.
"I wish you could hava _Baen Drake's taco when I told him I was settling down. Ho thought I was drunk."
"Yes, I'm Mr. Benson," she ariod. "I alt here and wait for him to die! I won't love him that much! I won't
"He probably still thinks no,” do it! What do you think I'm mado "And you think I'm kidding, too, ot How dare you expect me to do don't you? But here's something that: Haven't I the right to livo different! I feel dif ́arent! I've real willout boing tortured every eco-ly got that feeling of responsibility ond? Haven't £7"
of a married man. I never thought Then the door opened and 31m, that would happen to mo. No, I'm carrying a package, entered. He not going to pot drunk ngalu. I'm alopped, startled at Ann's expres- guing bone! I'm going to take hor nton. "What is it?" he said with to a show,"
concern.
"Don't tell me," Gunner sald, amil-
"I'm leaving you?" Anu burst outing. "Ini taking the next train, and Yoh, and tonight, when I como hope I never see you again as long home with the dough for this job, rus I Hvo!""
and pile it in her lap, you're going to see a different Ann. Say, you'd drop dead you ever saw mo with a baby, wouldn't you?”- "A baby!" Gunner startled,
Jin came close to her. "Don't blow on me, Ann!" he pleaded.
"Right now!"
"Give me a chance to make up. for this, will you?"
"No!"
"Come on," he urged, "give me a chanco. Im not used to being mar- ried yet."
"No."
"But you know, I'll pick up. I nover asked anybody to do any thing, before for me, no that's a good start, isn't it, Aun 7"
"I won't do it!" she cried. "But I've been looking forward BO to seeing you."
"I don't care!"
And listen, dear," Jim continued. "I'm going to prove a lot of things to you. Just let's make believe there was no five days in between...just you and "
"No, no, no!" She ran foto the bedroom and slammed the door. Ju sinring after her, suddenly
grow calm.
zame."
exclaimed,
"Toh, you know what they are, don't you? You food 'om with milk!"
Jim climbed into the cockpit. A moment later the 'plane foarod down the runway.
Looking around, Gunnar
解您
startled to see Ann stepping out of a taxicab nearby. He rushed ovar When she saw him, she stopped back in, hurriedly.
"I thought you were going to stay home!" lie saki.
"It's wore there. I'd rather sea it. Is it really such a dangerous. job?"
Ho shook his head. Then both of them stood allantly looking up.
"Now I wish I were home!" sho exclaimed. Suddenly aho looked again. "No, I don't either!" she burst out. "Come on, Jim, come on,
"Well it just shows...you can boy" never go off the track. You can't the 'plane, diving, started to ever let yourself think you got a right itself. Then, auddenly, a wing ifferent woman. They're all the gave way. It crumpled. Then the other wing. The ship hended like a Ha at down; and sfarted to un- plummat foward the ground, wrap the package. Gunner had lis Ann gasped, and fainted dead toned in allenco. But he know the away.. truth, knew that Ann wouldn't leave Jim, that she couldn't...for, hadn't
(To be continued)
COUNT THE · "TELEGRAPHS
EVERYWHERE
CANADIAN PACIFIC
STEAMSHIPS - HOTELS
- RAILWAYS - EXPRESS
BERTHING PLANS FOR 1939 ARE OPEN MAKE BOOKINGS EARLY
to rocure accommodation desirad
TO CANADA, UNITED STATES and EUROPE via Shanghal, Kobe & Yokohama EMPRESS OF RUSSLA EMPRESS OF JAPAN via Honolulu
EMPRESS OF ASIA
EMPRESS OF CANADA via Honolulu
Air-conditioned equipment on C.P.R. Frequent
,7,00 x.m., Fri, Sept. 2. ......Noon. Fr.. Bept. 10. ..6.00 a.m., Fri., Sept. 30. .......Noon, Fri., Oct. 14.
Trans-Continental Trains. Canadian Pacio Atlantic sailings to European Ports.
EMPRESS OF JAPAN
Union
Building
TO MANILA
Fri, Sept. 9.
Canadian Pacific
Tolophong
*20752
BARBER-WILHELMSEN LINE
Monthly Service to
BOSTON AND NEW YORK
via LOS ANGELES & PANAMA CANAL PORTS
also taking cargo on through Bills of Lading for West Indios ports. Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Rio Grande do Sol Buenos Aires, South America.
NEXT SAILING:-
M.V. "TAI YIN"
18th September,
DODWELL & CO., LTD.
Agents.
Hongkong Bank Bldg.
Telephone 28021.
OUR BRITISH CROSSWORDS
ACROSS
I Those of high station go over in station (iwo words-5, 5). Fish (4).
10 Anxiety about a
up (5).
number
cut
11 Because of this many squeakers
have narrow squeaks (9).
12 The Oriental trend (8).
13 A ringing direction, often (5). 13 A production of the poet he may not like pluralised (7). 17 Disjointed chatter (7). 10. The
! lost
his head and swallower
a sea bird (7). 21 This ship may take one, to Ox-
ford (7).
22 Shells are made of it (5).
24 What the lost wont sounds like
Nov. 5th ball (8).
1
27 Weave from neat relic (9), 20 Not without flavour thanks to a
bit of the farm (9).
20 A politiclan confused in 30
across (4). 30 We don't want love from a fowl, but we do ask this (10),
DOWN
1 One can hardly deliver this
without moving a foot (4).
2 An upset island started this
account (0).
3 A. linen article may be made
from these (B).
4 Heraldic position (7).
8 No, Quakers are not particular-
ly able to do this (7).
7 One
can hardly say a good word for it (5) 4.
8 "I do try pose" (anag.) (10). Haste with finut repair (8).
14 To do this is part of modern
cur design (10).
16 An earthquake might ruin him. but the ground rents would do him good (8).
18 A black and white production, possiblyant's trunk cannot be
20 The
so described (7).
2 What the waiter may wait for,
atulty Included (7).
23 Bd male that annoys farmers
(5)
25 When one may be sorry (5). 26 It may not hurt to have hooks
In them (4).
YESTERDAY'S SOLUTION ·
P BOWES 8 RAPTURE le cv IERONN LEAVEN PEERING LRRAGA BOB IOING ABYSSINIA NN RIP H_NV GRATE O BEAKALE
LATER; E EXPENSE M OOWER PAU 10E BE INTRINSIC PLANT TAMOPOUT NB A NGULAR LINGLE PU Oas ONLA HISTORY NEGLECT
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