'THOU SHALT NOT LOVE'

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 171, 22 July 1939, Page 7

'THOU SHALT NOT LOVE'

(By Alma Sioux Scarberry)

♦ Instalment 6. |

Synopsis of Preceding Instalments: Jocelyn (Josh; Kelvin, a year out of college, during that time has been substituting for Mary Boa Temple, who for 40 years had conducted a column of advice to the lovelorn for a New York newspaper syndicate. When Harlow L. Buell, the editor, summons her she fears the worst, out he tells her Mrs. Temple, now 70, has written from Europe taat she can no longer do the work. He asks her whether she has a boy friend. When she says no he tells her he’ll give her a permanent chance at tko column and outside work at extra pay, saying that the most useless thing in the world is a woman in love. Answering Buell’s questions, she tells of her once wealthy father, Panning Kelvin, wellknown lawyer; her motner Maida, society beauty in her youth; her twin sister Jacqueline (Jake), blonde, beautiful and impractical like her mother, and 10-year-old SUzio (Jinx), her tomboyisli sister. Josh is about to leave with Lincoln Laine, the svndicate’s most successful young cartoonist, to cook the usual F riday dinner in his Greenwich Village studio, when her mother ’phones to ask her to hurry homo to stay with Jinx as she and Jake are going out. Line suspects correctly that it’s Josh’s pay envelope Maida wants. When Jinx is injured by a hit and run driver, Dr. Keicy Lowell, who has just moved in across the street, carries her into her nome and attends her. Josn cooks dinner for him and he asks her to dine with him tho next evening. When Josh asked for Dr. Lowell at the information desx of the hospital the next evening the floor nurse said she believed he was operating. Asking Jocelyn to be seated in the reception room, sue disajipeared, and came back in a few seconds to say, “I’m afraid you’ll have quite a wait. Dr. Lowell is doing an emergency operation. Do you wisn to stay, or snail 1 give him a message?” # Josh sat down. “I think I’ll wait.” She reached for a magazine. “I'm in no hurry.” The nurse, a slender little thing with light brown curly hair, sighed and stretched. 4 4 Gosh, I hated to come on duty to-night,” she said. “This April weather! Tough to have to bo around here nights like this.” “I should think it would be,” Joce* lyn sympathised. The nurse smiled sociably. 44 Are you u woridng girl, too?” Josh smiled back. “Yes, I’m in an office all day. But I’m free evenings. You must enjoj your work in a great many ways. At least you have the satisfaction of Knowing you’re doing something really worth while. I've always admired nurses, so much. ’ ’ The girl surveyed her hands. The nails wero dark and broken as though they'd spent hours immersed in antiseptic solutions. “Ye-es,” she hesitated finally, “I suppose it is a noble profession, so to speak. But it's an awful grind.” Josh led her on, with wide understanding eyes full of interest. 44 It would be difficult here. Seeing little children suffer.” “You don't know the half of it.” Tho girl walked to the door. 4 4 But you jjet used to everything after awhile. After seeing little kids die. Well, I've got to get to work. Hope you don't have to wait too long.” It was obvious the little nurse didn’t wish to talk shop. Josh picked up the

There's a little place out on the Island called Mrs. Buddie's Inn. It would be quiet and cool at this hour of the evening, and the only music is by her son Bill who plays the violin upon request. Beautifully, too. We can have homefried chicken and hot biscuits—lots of things you should like. How does that sound?'' The man's tired blue eyes thanked her before he could voice his sentiments. He started the car, “Lady, arc you real? Or just a page from an old fairy story? How did you know that I’d rather bo shot than face a mob of people and a racket to-night?” “No man could operate till after nine-thirty and not be a bit weary." Jocelyn settled back to enjoy the drive. “Don't talk if you don’t feel like it. I’ll watch the passing show. I never could talk and drive through New York traffic. Maybe I’ve a one-track mind.” Dr. Lowell suddenly slumped; his jaw squared. “You've been so kind, if it won’t spoil your evening, \1 'll tell you something. I just lost a patient.” * 4 Oh,'’ Josh gave a small gasp. “I'm sorry.” “A little boy of seven.” Keicy Low-ell’s hands gripped the steering wheel until the knuckles were white. “Ho was struck by a hit and run driver this afternoon. I’ve been with him almost constantly since four o’clock. We did everything in our power to save him. But ho was too badly injured.’’ Jocelyn's chin trembled. Thinking of Suzie, sne said brokenly, 4 4 Surely, whoever hit that child will bo haunted to the longest day he lives.” “I nope so," tne doctor replied grim ly, 4 4 It'a wonderful,” Josh's voice caugnt, 4 4 the lives you are able to save, thougn. You must try to remember them. ” 44 But it’s tho onus we lose we remem tier.” The doctor's face was etched with feeling. “If it weren't for the grief of tne parents. Tins little reilow was an only child. His mother—” Josh covered her mouth with her hand. He could feel her tremble, and lie said, quickly, “You mustn't! I'm sorry. 1 was speaking my thoughts. ’ ’ “I know.” Jocelyn fougnt to keep, the tears from falling down her cheeks, “It’s best for you to talk about things sometimes. You can tell me. I'd like to nave you.” Keicy .Lowell turned and looked down at her with his twisted, characteristic naif-smile. “Is it possible I’ve only known you twenty-four hours, Jocelyn Kelvin. There's soothing magic in your kind little Heart, my dear.” 44 I'm giad you ioei that way,” Josh said simpij, looking straight ahead. For several minutes they drove on in silence, as the doctor inched the car througu the maze of traffic on boro Bridge. On Northern Boulevard he speeded up the machine and relaxed after the trying ordeal. 44 1 think,” he glanced down at her plump little friendly face,, 4 4 even thougn our friendship is only a few hours old, I’d like you to call me what all my old friends call me—Kel. Will you?” 44 Of course, ’ ’ she assured him. 4 4 And you call me Josh.” “I like you, Josh.” He nodded slowly. 4 4 Same to you, Kel.” Sho gave her friendly chuckle that was so much a part of her amiable personality. “Nice weather we’re having. Looks like summer. There’s going to be a moon. After we have dinner wo should drive to Malba Beach for a little while and watch it reflected on the water. How's about it?” 4 4 That ought to be just the thing to do after a chicken dinner and a violin," ho agreed. 4 4 And may I hold your hand in the moonlight?” “Both of 'em?” Sho laughed without tho slightest trace of coquetry. 44 1’1l be looking forward to it.” In the soft light of the little inn, Kel and Josh ate hungrily, falling into long silences or talking at length as the spirit moved them. The doctor dropped his cares like a cloak, and even his eyes lost some of their seriousness. Over their coffee they listened to the magic of Bill Buddie’s violin, and Josh was surprised to learn that Kel Lowell was a bit of a violinist himself. He borrowed the fiddle, and together they played old songs for almost an hour, Josh sitting at tho piano for the first timo in months. Then they played and sang, sho in a soft pleasant contralto, while the doctor sang bass and Bill Buddie added a not too bad tenor — 4 4 Carry Me Back to Old Virginny,” 44 Love's Old Sweet Song,” “Mother Machree.” It was almost midnight when they said good-night to their amiable host and Kel headed his ear for Malba Beach. He stopped the car at the edge of the pier. The April moon shone on the water, full and glorious. Tho night was so still that it seemed as though they had driven into another world. Kel sang 4 4 Under a Texas Moon,” softly, and when ho had finished sho broke in with 44 Harvest Moon,” and he harmonised. Afterward they wore silent a little while until Josh stirred and sighed, “Sitting out here like this —it doesn’t seem possible if we listened closely we could hear New York humming just u few minutes away. Docs it? Oh, I hate to go back!” “Do you now, little Josh?” The big man looked down at her quizzically. 44 Shall we just stay here forever? Perhaps digging for clams on the beach—or maybe we could be beach-combers? It sounds like an ideal existence to me. ’ ’

magazine. She was still reading when the nurse put her head in the doorway again. “Dr. Lowell must be stuck. You've got a lot of patience, I'll say that much for vou.''

44 When you read the time goes by.” Josh got up to stretch. “But the doctor must be getting tired and hungry.” 44 That guy's made of iron.” The nurse leaned up against the door with an answering yawn. 4 4 He can stand more than any ten doctors in tho hospital. Are you a relative?” Josh shook her liead negatively. Nurse Marks looked a little curious, but she hardly thought she dared ask any more questions. Sho would have liked very much to know who the doctor's little roly-poly caller was. Surely not a girl friend, or sho wouldn't have that much patience, or avoirdupois, Well, she supposed fat girls had to have a lot of good qualities. People must like to be with them for some reason. They always had friends. Yawning again, she went to answer a bell. It was more than half-an-hour before Dr. Lowell rushed into tho reception room. His face was flushed. “You must think me very rude,” ho began contritely. “I'm surprised you waited.' ’ Josh hastened to reassure him. 44 1 t didn’t matter at all. You mustn't think about it. I've some idea about what a doctor's lit'o must be like.” He ran his hands through his hair and pulled at his dark blue tie. His suit was a conservative dark grey stripe. It was well made, but hung on him awkwardly. 44 We11,” he smiled tiredly, “I hope I'll sort of bo able tc make up for your patience by taking you wherever you’d like to go.” Ho bowed. 44 What is your pleasure, mademoiselle? Do you wish music and gaiety and bright lights?” 4 ‘ Nope,” Josh shook her head swiftly. 44 Not unless you do. And I can’t believe it, after such a day as you must have had. ’ ’ ‘ They walked out the door of the hospital and hesitated on the sidewalk. * 4 l’m feeling grand,” the doctor fibbed politely. 4 4 We'll do anything you sayj But meanwhile, shall we sit in my car while we talk it over?” Jocelyn could seo the effort he was making to appear in a holiday mood. She looked up at him shrewdly, smiling through her glasses. 4 4 Suppose I prescribe for you, doctor, j Okay?” “Indeed,” ho nodded. 44 We11,” sho frowned, 44 let me seo?

4 4 But the picnickers would come from the Bronx and Brooklyn Sundays,” she laughed ruefully. 4 4 Then what would happen to our solitude?” Ho grinned. “But think how we’d feast on Monday morning. Salami, hot dogs, rye bread and cheese!” On an impulse he put an arm around , her, holding her close in a sudden spirit of comraderie.

Bhe pressed her shoulder against his, and looked up at him, smiling mistily. In the soft light from the moon her mouth was young and sweet and inviting-

Bending, suddenly, Kel Lowell kissed her, tenderly; (To be Continued.)