1935-08-16 — Page 11

THE CHINA MAIL FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 1935

The Case Of

Bess Bernard

Continued from Page 9)

I understood her fear and sympa- thised with it. The years had not altered her. She was still as re- fined, and even more sensitive to daily slights.

"Between the two Bernard boys! existed none of the affinity usually| to be found in twins. Philip was quiet, inclined to be a dreamer: Larry was bright and quick. He could learn without effort. was imaginative, a popular favourite! among his school fellows.

I often saw the lad, often heard him laughing. The boy loved life and was the light of his mother's eje. I remember stopping one! afternoon to watch him playing! football in a paddock behind the apartment house where the Ber nards roomed. He was swifterį than any boy in the team, strongi and accurate. He saw me and waved an audacious grin on his. good-looking face. I liked that. boy-couldn't help it. Everyone liked him."

The doctor paused, but Treviot broke impatiently into the silence.

"But-the woman?”.

The doctor took up the threads of his story, slowly now, with a curious deadness of voice.

"Ah-yes; the woman! She cleaned other people's houses five and a half days a week, and took in sewing to do at night-after her own place was thoroughly cleaned. She rose early and work- ed far into the night; I've often seen her light burning at midnight. A gallant fighter, Bess Bernard, a woman whose indomitable will triumphed again and again over a frail body. The children were beri life: she had no favourite. but understood all three natures and; impartially layed all three.

"I remember Mrs. Bernard cry- ing over one. The girl was alling. and she sent for me. Reassured by my verdict, expanding as was her custom with me, she produced Larry's latest report and read it alosd, a tremor in her voicė, tears. welling to her eyes and spilling.

"A brilliant scholar," the report concluded.

said.

"You see, doctor?" she Ile in an clever, deserving of the best-good company, pleasant sur- roundings. All I can give him- them--is this."

"She indicated the shabby room with comprehensive gesture, and she smiled, tears still in her eyes.

I haven't forgotten my prayer. doctor. You remember-I told you?"

"Yes." I said gently, "I remem- ber." ByIt is five years since I comment- ed that prayer." she said simply. and I'm still waiting for the

answer."

"Aren't you afraid it might not come the answer you expect?" I asked.

“No. I'm not afraid of that,” she said quietly, "but sometimes the waiting seems long, and my girlie is very nearly eighteen. I can't help thinking how different my life and the children's could have been if their father-”

“She still loved her husband. I knew that by the light that illuminated her face when she spoke of him; she loved him and was without bitterness.

"For her, and the neighbourhood) in general, a new worry arose. The Hogans. They were a lawless band! of young hooligans who had taken to terrorising the neighbourhood. The name Hogan had no signi- ficance. There were 'no Hogans in the vicinity, and none, it was suspected, in the gang. It was just a name, but mothers trembled to hear it:

"The Hogan broke out with rẻ- newed force and violence one week. and the dreamy Philip said:

"They get plenty of excitement that gang. They DO things. It'd be fun to join.

His mother was distressed, but Philip had spoken jokingly. Hel was still at school and doing well, but Larry had left and found" kim- self a job. The possesion of money seemed only to increase his bright- ness and gaiety. His mother. although I cannot speak with knowledge, must have remembered. her prayer with renewed earnest- ness

"She wanted to leave the neigh- bourhood before the children were of school age, but had not succeed ed. She had accepted the in- evitable, but worked harder, so that she could move before girl was twelve. Again failure.

(Continued on Page 15.)

THERE GOES ME

LUNCH!

Rosie's

BEAU

WILL BE THERE? ́SAY, DINTY! SAVE

TEN ORDERS OF CORNED BEEFAN CABBAGE-I'M HUNGRY- I'LL BE DOWN AS SOONASI KIN SNEAK OUT-

FALL

NOW YOU STAY THERE I'M GETTING TIRED OF TALKING

TO YOU.mp

GED M-MAMUS

Registneud U. 3. Hubent Offer.

PLJUST FORGET HER-1'LL SHOW HER MY HEART US NOT TO BE

TRAMPLED

>ON-

HAVENT NOTICED

IT-

TAKE MY ADVICE-DON'T

AFTER IT-

GIT AWAY FROM THAT- YOU FOOL DOG- CAN'T YOU SEE IT'S

SMOKIN'? IT MIGHT

BE A BOMB)

I AM POSITIVE ARCHIE

DOESN'T LOVE ME ANYMORE- HE ONLY CALLED “UP TWICE TO-DAY-

Bringing Up Father

PUT THAT'PHONE DOWN ÓR YOU'LL BE OUT FOR THE COUNT OF TEN-YOU'LL BE GOING OUT IN AN AMBULANCE IF YOU'RE

NOT: CARE

WELL! THIS IS TOUGH-I'D GIVE

A LOT-YES-AN! A HOUSE ON IT FER A GOOD DISH OF CORNED BEEF AN” CABBAGE- OH, ME! OH,MY!

SMACK!

CORNED BEEF. AN CABBAGE!

WAARDAGOLLY! THERE

IS A SANTA CLAUS-

1933, King Features Syndicate, Inc, Great Britam rights reserved."

ROSIE

YOU COME WITH ME- ILL SEE THAT-YOUR DONT GET TO DINTYS PLACE TO-DAY-PLL LOCK, YOU IN YOUR

ROOM-

MEWIFE PUT UP ME FAVORITE DISH IN

ME LUNCH-KIT TO-DAY- ITS CORNED BEEF AN' CABBAGE-

ON THE BUILDING ACROSS

THE STREET

TEL TRADE YOU A PIGS KNUCKLE „FER SOME OF IT-

WHAT'S THAT?

I THINK

I'M SHOT!

BELIEVE

IN MIRACLES-

SODOI!

HUH! I'VE PHONED ROSIEA' THOUSAND TIMES-TWICE TO-DAY AND EACH TIME:

1. GET THE WORDS, SHE IS OUT AN

IT'S THE GYPSY IN ME

TAY AT EVER POSSESSED |

YOU TO TAKE UP- STREET CLEANIN

I DONT KNOW

HYAT

15. BUT LJUST CANCE GET HER QUI OF MY Z "MIND - JUST MUSTAT

STHINK OF HER-~