1938-08-26 — Page 22

10

LIVING ALONE

To live alone, either in the com-

plete isolation of a house of one's own, or in the semi-loneliness of lodgings, has always been regardell by the majority of people as a moat unsatisfactory state of affairs.

If ever we pause to think of those solitary people it is to conjure up a plcture of an old muld, 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 unantisfactory landladies.

that

But here I venture to say those pictures are all wrong, that the people who live alone enjoy a much fuller life than those who are. constantly surrounded by relatives. or friends.

The.

The obvious advantages of lone dweller are many, They are free to come and go os they please, decisions can be made inmediately, and their whole efforts can be con- centrated on the project they may have on hand without any irritating distractions,

The Character Reflued

But there are other advantages not quite so obvious. Living alone, for instance, develops the senses responsibility and perception.

of

The solltary person gradually be- comes an excellent judge of charac ter, and while this process-is-taking place his own character Is 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 mass. The crowd element is rampant, with the result that the minds and appearances of the people are becoming stereotyped. What better then to counteract this thon the quietness of a roon or flat that

all one's own? Noise has been described as the enemy of thought and as the grave of culture. Afraid 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 b at the stigma of being called selfish and self-centred. It is the solitaries who have given most to the world.

There

are many who, either through econemle necessity or force uf circumstances, never attain mar- ringe. But should they despair?

They may have missed one form of happiness, but there are others, and it is 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

N'disqualified

TO. I don't mean that I have been

from holding licence for dangerous driving, or that I have lost my nerve in a crash. After less than four months of molor- ing I have voluntarily sold my car, and my garage will be empty per- manently.

Let me review my helet experi- ence as a motorist.

First of all the delicious satisfac. tion of owning a sleek, handsome car, and the exhilaration of person- ality int 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 had spoken to me darkly about the wily ways of examiners) and my relief when I passed it with flying colours, havlag even negotiat- ed an unexpected test in the shape of a little girl who crossed the road somewhat errallenlly in my path with a decision that must have impressed the examiner, who set no traps to catch me off my guard.

I threw the embarrassing Ls on the fire, and began to pleture plea- sant, care-free days n-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 work.

my

I soon realised with dismay that, I was beginning to drive my cor in the same way. More than once 1: found myself being snatched from a fit of wool-gathering by the sight of the tail of a car looming up in front me in a traffic Jam, and only avorting a collision by standing hard on everything.

of

Now, I still believe I am a good driver. This is to say that I huve en aptitude for the mechanism of a car, and my reflexes are brisk enough. But for all my ability to handle a car well and to act quickly in an emergency, I know that in certain clrcumstances I can be a very dan gerous driver. With the roada so crowded as they are, I am a polen- Ual menace to others as well as to myself, and so I have decided to give up driving.

Self-Satisfied Drivers

Talking about this decision to my friends, I began to realise how

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 1938.

Our New Serial

CANADIAN PACIFIC

TEST

WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR

Trying out a new type of motor in the Thompson Trophy Stace, Pilot Jim Lane captures top honora, Another pilot, how evor killed in the race, and Jim secretly divides his prize award of ten thousand dollars with the dead flier's wife and family, Drinking to caccar that evening, Jim disappeare. Illa selfe, Ann, is taken home by his buddy, Gunner Bloane, who then Docs to search for kim

Ooperight iɛ by Loew's Inc.

Chapter Nino

www.

Jim Lang lay stretched out in bed, almost fully dreamed. Gunner: entered the room, stood over him for a moment, and then started to shako him. Finally Jim opened his uyen. They were bloodshot.

"Don't shake me," Jim muttered. "Don't shake ma"

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 sald wearily,

Gunner sented himself on the edge of the bed, Jim closed his eyes n if the bright sunlight streaming Into the room was too much for him. There was a brief slience; then Jim opened his eyes again and sat up, leaning on one elbow, shaking his head. But the effort was too much for him and ho dropped down #gainst the pillow with a groan.

"Do you know what day it is?" Gunner mald,

"I know i'a day and it isn't night;

't that enough?”

"I couldn't spend ten thousand in four days,”

Jim said.

PILOT

ner sald. "She's got your number. bo, as well as I have, Bho's a good girl. She'd make a fine wife for somebody!"

Jim and Gunner tip-toed softly across the floor. Jin opened tha bedrooms door and looked in.

"Asleep," he whispered, "I'll go in and non how she "

"Well, I think that's fine," Gun- ner whispered back.

What are you going to do?" Qunner pointed toward the front door. "I'm staying right where I can got out quick."

"Wise guy, ch?"

"Well, you're the guy that takes the chances."

Jim started Into the bedroom. Suddenly be stopped. "Hoy, want to come in with me?" be naked,

"No, siri"

Jim stood for a moment looking down at Ann. In a moment she had opened her eyes. They looked at each other.

"Hello," she said softly, aleep in her voice.

her hands in his. "How are you,

He sat down on the bed and toolk

Ann?"

"I don't think I was asleep... How are you, had boy?"

"Had. I guess." "Feeling low

"I've been up higher." There was a pause. "I'm glad to ane you."

"I'm glad, too...Is Gunner out there?"

"Yeh."

"I be out in a minute, then. Go ahend."

Gunner watched him anxiously as Jim cama out of the bedroom.

"Nothing to it." Jim boasted. "What did she say?" "Nothing

Gunner nodded.

"Do you know where you are?" slipped on a

ha sald slowly.

Ann, who had

reading gown, Bud- Jim tried to concentrate. "The denly appeared, and they all sat last thing I remember I was in De-down nhild an awkward alience. troll,

Jim, nervously, lighted a cigarette. "Yet, you chartered a tri-motor What have you been doing?" ha plane from there...with two pilots, asked abruptly? and a stewardess, and a bar. .to take a lot of ball fans to Cincy!"

Jim stared dazedly at the ceiling, "Umm...ball game. Following the Tigers, waza't I?"

"You Through a couple of fine expensive wrecked saloons...And now you're in Chicago."

"Chiengo?"

Ann thought for a moment. "Well, dear," she said slowly, "You've ha much more fun than I have thes last five days. I've been trying to think of some way to be cross with you...Oh, Jim, if I could only hate- you!"

"What do you want to hate me for?" ho naked lightly.

"Because don't sit there and look that way, dear. Look, Gunner, he's looking at me like ho did back in Kannas. Just looking." She laugh-

"Yab" Suddenly Jim started to sing "Chie-ngo, Chic-ago," but he broke aft, holding bla hend, "I don't feel like doing that," he complained. od a bit hysterically. Then sudden-

"Why, you've been in every city but Fittaburgh!" Gunner exclaimed. Pittsburgh Jim ent up with a frown. Pittsburgh and Ann

"Where 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 granted again, realizing what he had done.

iy sho wa coil-controlled and gay ngain.

And won't the landlady bo glad to meo you, too. Oh, yes, how sho ikes you! She keeps anking me, 'When in the world will Mr. Lang be home?"

Jim started to pace the floor, feel- Ing miserable.

She's a fina woman," he said. "Oh, yes," Ann agreed, "Just caleli ber temating anyone else. Just my sweet baby!"

What do we owe har, darling?” Jim naked, hin back toward Ann.

"Oh, about two hundred dollars." "Well, that's nothing. In it?"

"No, but I'll bet you haven't got all of that ten thousand Inft. Five days. Why, I'll bet you haven't got over...over rix or neven thousand left!"

"Not over that, dear"

"And sponking of dough," Gunner continued marcustically, "I suppose you've got my five grand handy?"

"Yeh, Lock in my pants." Guaner rose and stopped over to A chair where Lano's rumpled trousers heng, Quickly he went through the pockets. There was no thing there. He turned to Jim and gestured a zero with his fingers. "Good gag, Gunner!" Jim said. "I ain't gagging!" Gunner said angrily. He picked up a cont

"Look la y vest," Jim called. "The rest tan't hore!" Gunner turned toward the bed. "Woll," he said. "It was a nice rnon, and I'm glad you won it!"

"It's terrible. I don't understand how I could do a thing like this." Jim tried to think. "I must have "I'm naking for your hand, Jim," Kiven 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 mean, five?" Jim replied cautiously,

Oh, I trard in a roundabout] way that Mrs. Henson had five thousand in cash."

"Yeh? How'd she get it?"

"Oh, well," sho sald, laughing. "that's a lot more than ten dollars. Remember the night we only had ten dollars, Jim Boy!"

Jim was prepiring now. Thore was a pauso. Finally Ann stood up and, coming over, held out her hand. Jim alared at hor.

"I'm sorry, Ann, I'm broke," ho sald slowly.

she replied tenderly, "I want to shake it. I know you're broke. I was only teasing. But I know Mira, lenson isn't broke...and that was lovely of you, pal. Only you must have been funny, giving it to her. I wish I'd been behind a screen."

Jim stared at her, slowly renilz- ing what she was saying. He took her in his arms.

"You'ro

awell!" he exclaimed.

"I wonder. I gucan she found it. "You know what I'm going to do Mayha Drake gave it to her. Did right now. Im going to show you

- anyone over tell you. Jini, that what I think of you. I'm going out when you 1, you squint your nose? and grab some booze, and I'm go- ... All right, baby. We'll plek up ing to drink to youf" the plecen and go on home...where we don't belong."

Ifa want out, lamming the door. Gunner stared after him.

"I've been around Him a long

Jim frowned. "Yeh, I got to go home and say I'm sorry, haven't 17 while," he said, "And that's the first time I ever heard him pratso any.

And if there's any fuss, I'm going thing hut himself. I can't ba- to be sorry I'm married. She'd bot-love It!"

ter be careful how she talks!"

"She might surprise you," Gun-l

"

wrongheaded and obstinate most menhimself to become fatigued and eye- are about their driving ability. weary by such argtes of road burn-

A man will cheerfully admit to being is out of place on a modern road. ing a duller et bridge and stand any His concentration is bound to suffer, amount of criticism his form ntand about 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 accusation that he is Some mon set out every week-enda dangerous driver,

and knock up fantastic mileages in I wonder what effect there would cheep, low-powered cars, mileage on the statistics of road neeichte under the best of condillonit every driver were to follow my would reduce a professional driver example and-examine hin driving to a state of strain and nervous, ex-ability without valty, haustion. Now a man who allows

J. H. c.

BY

HALSEY

RAINES

Chaptor Ton

Ann reached for a cigarette, Cun. ner could are aho was doop in thought. Finally she spoke.

"It's easy to be gallant...when you're doomed," she anid quietly.

Gunner started. "What do you mean, doomed?"

"You should ask me that," she nald slowly. "I've had five days to tolak, haven't 17 Don't you think I know ho han 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 even got a ticket In my pocketbook. I've packed my bag so many times, it's worn out. But I didn't go..."

She started to pace the floor, Bud- donly, as if it were distasteful to her, she dropped the cigarette into an ash tray.

she confessed she had tried? Didn't who have a ticket that would never be used?

Jim Look a corkscrew from the table drawer. "Sho's all right for zame other guy." he muttered. "Joa was made to order."

"I don't know about that," Gun- ner sald slowly,

"I guess I'm kinda fussy...can't have anything ordinary." Jim gald. tease don't talk that way, Jm,” Gunner pleaded.

Jim was busy opening the bo:- tle. "Oh, you're going to tell an how to talk!”

"No, I'm not going to sayla

word."

"That'll bo a record, won't it?" He worked on the cork. "You're a soft, sentimental cluck, Gunner, When it comes to women. They don't like that, either. You couldn't win a lamp if they put a skirt on around, taking 'em to the train“ You'll always be the fall

muy "Yeb," Gunner muttered. "Always. Listening to their woes, Well, I don't listen to 'em. They isten to mine!" lie yanked the coric out at last. "But I got to admit," he said reflectively, that I'm slow- ing up. I even asked her to stay." Ho poured himself a drink. "That must have been somebody else," he murmured. Must have been you and I thought it was me."

"But it was me! You were in the Ho tossed off the drink, fiercely. room, you heard me. I actually naked her to stay! I did something "Gunner, get this" she went on, naked a dama to stay in a room I never did before in my life. I "Three ronde faco us, and there's with me! And I didn't ask her doom at the end of each. Suppose once...I asked her tolce! Mat A he didn't drink. So ho sits around... tlla country girl, off a Kanana his nervga screaming...ba alts farm, and I naked her! I could cut around drinking sarsaparilla with-my-longue out! When she comen Ann. How nicol How he would love out, 11 tell her..."

me!"

"Don't say anything. dear," she said.

and Ann stood there. still wearing The bedroom door opened slowly, her negligee! They stared at for and she smiled wanly.

Tha second road in worse than that Suppose he gave up altogether ... retired from flying and worked

on the ground. Imagine a man with "I'm packed," she said. She hold hir heart in the sky...living with a up empty hands. "Soo nil my woman on the ground. His mind things? You just happened to come would rot with longing, and he back the wrong nonicut, dear. I wouldn't like himsel very much, was telling Gunner how lonesoms. and I wouldn't like him, ofther, Oh, I was, that's all. That's a tribute no, 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

"Quaner buy & protier dress! I offer him never tell you one word I said... even promigod ho'd fo and she offers him death. And and I promise if you still want I can offer no victory to match the mo- nevor again to say one cross thrill of boating her."

completely that your life is yours." word again... and to understand

His face softened. "Wall, And, what Jin stared at her for a long time. de I say to that?"

Gunner let it sink in. "What's the third road?" he asked quietly,

"We're on it. We go on as if nothing had happened. He goes in the next race and I worry to death. He wins the race and goca on a bat...with his air girl, I wait home until it's over, then there's another race, another bat, and another and another until, some day, when bo's not quite so young and quick, sho alaps him out...and Mrs. Benson takes another man home on the train." She paused. "Or maybe you know another road?"

Gunner and nothing.

"Yes, I'm Mrs. Benson," she cried. "I alt here and wall for him to dlat I won't love him that much! I won't do it! What do you think I'm mado et: How dare you expect me to do that! Haven't I the right to live without being tortured every seo- ond? Haven't 17"

Then the door opened and Jim, carrying a package, entered. He stopped, startled at Ann's expres alo. "What is it?" he said with concern,

"Don't say anything, danr," sho said, taking his hands. "Goo, I'm glad to see you, you crazy loon!"

Gunner quially slipped out of the house.

•

Jim was laughing as he adjusted his flying sult and watched Gunner making a last-minute chock-up of a now, fast-looking little plane.

"I wish you could have seen Drake's face when I told him I wan sottling down. He thought I was drunk.".

"He probably still thinks so.” "And you think I'm kidding, too, don't you? But here's something different! I feel different! I've real ly got that feeling of responsibility of a married man. I never thought that would happen to me. No, I'm not going to get drunk again. I'm going home! I'm going to take her to a show."

"Don't tell me," Gunner said, smil- "I'm leaving you!" Ann burst out. Ing. "I'm taking the next train, and I hope I never see you again as long

As I live!"

Jim camo close to her. "Don't blow on me, Ann!" he pleaded,

"Right now!".

"Oive me a chance to mako up for this, will you?"

Nat

"Come on," be urged, "give me a chance. I'm 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, Ann?"

"I won't do it" who cried. "But I've been looking forward ao to moving.you".

"I don't care!"

Yeh, and tonight, when I como home with the dough for this job, and pe it in her lap, you're going to see a different Ann. Say, you'd drop dead if you aver saw mo with a baby, wouldn't you?"

“A baby!" Gunner exclaimed, startled.

"Yeh, you know what they aro, don't you? You food 'em withi mlik!"."

Jim climbed into the cockpit. A moment later the. 'plane reared down the runway.

Looking startled to see Ann stepping out of around, Gunner WILB a taxicab nearby. He rushed over. When she saw him, she stopped back in, hurriedly.

"I thought you were going to stay home!" he said.

it. Is it really such a dangerous "It's worse thore. I'd rather sea job

And listen, dear," Jimi continued. "I'm going to prove a lot of thlage to you. Just let's make bellove there was no five days in between...just He shook his head. Than bath of you and I."

them stood allenly looking up. "No, no, no!" She ran into the "Now I wish I wern home!" she bedroom and slammed the door. exclaimed. Suddenly she looked Jin, staring after her, suddenly again. "No, I don't either!" she burst out. "Come on, Jim, come on, "Well, it just show...you can boy!" never go off the track. You can't ever let yourself think you got right itself. Then, suddenly, a wing The plane, diving, started to different woman. They're all the gave way. It crumpled. Then the other wing. The ship headed like a Ho sat down and started to un- plummet toward the ground, wrap the package. Gunner had Aan gasped, and fainted dead

grow calm.

same."

tened in allence. But he knew thowDY. truth, know that Ann wouldn't Tears Jim, that she couldn't...for, hadn't

(To be continued)

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14

đà

ACROSS

✔

1 Those of high station go over

in station (wo 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).

15

A production of the poet he

may not like pluralised (7). 17 Disjointed chatter (7), 10 The

The Real loat his head and swallowed a sea bird (7). -21 This ship may take one to Ox-

foid (7).

22 Shells are made of it (5). 24 'What the lost want sounds like

In Nov. 8th ball (8).

27 Wenve from neat relic (9). 28 Not without flavour thanks to a

blt of the farm (5),

29 A politician confused

across (4).

In 30

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 (5).

4 Heraldic position (7).

3 No, Quakers are not particular-

lyllable to do this (7).

7 Ond

can hardly

word for it (8).

say a good

8 "I do try pose" (anag.) (10).

9 Huste with final repair (8).

14 To do this is part of modern

car design (10).

10 An earthquake night ruin him, but the ground rents would do

him good (8).

18 A black and white production,

20 Thesibly

(9).

elephant's trunk cannot be so described (7).

21 What the waiter may wait, for,

gratully included (7).

23 Bird 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 PROWES9 RAPTURE

|_сVIERN

N

LEAVEN PEERING LREAGAN BOR CING ABYSSINIA NN BI P BENV GRATE O HEAKALE

E

EX PEN BF M COWEB PAU 10E RE INTRINSIC PLANT TAGE POUT NR A NGULAR LINGLE PUO AONL HISTORY NEGLECT