anaheim-bulletin 1955-07-16

Editorial Page Saturday, July 16, 1955 Anaheim (Cal.) Bulletin — 7 412,000,000 More If the United States is to take care of the 12 million additional school children expected by 1965 (to say nothing of taking care of those already in school), if will require the construction of 260 classrooms every day for the next 10 years! The National Citizens Commission for the Public Schools, which made this estimate after a three-year study of school problems, says the job will cost $32 billion. The commission is a nonprofit organization not professionally identified with education. Even now, the commission's report says, there is a shortage of 300,000 to 400,000 classrooms. Currently about $10 billion a year is being spent on all types of schools, with about 90 per cent of that for public schools. But with the 5-to-17 age group expected to increase from 36 million at present to 48 million 10 years from now, the school problem would be bad enough even if we weren't already desperately short of classrooms. With problems like these, we can't close our eyes and hope they'll go away. Your Birthday Forecast By STELLA SATURDAY, JULY 16—Born today, who have a strong mind. You like to dominate any situation in which you find yourself and if you cannot lead, you are apt to go off and sulk—or find another group whom you can lead! This characteristic works both ways—favorably and unfavorably. It is good to be strong—but it is better to be able to stand up for your rights and not run off if you are facing a setback. Perhaps a great deal of this can be blamed on your strong SUNDAY, JULY 17—Born today, you are one of those energetic, highly magnetic individuals who stirs up a lot of activity whenever you go. Things can be as calm and quiet as a summer night—then splash! You enter the scene and there is thunder and lightning! You have a good head for business, are a fine executive, a good promoter—in fact, it will be a miracle if you are not wealthy before you have reached middle age. However, you may need to be careful of your spending habits. You like to dominate any situation in which you find yourself and if you cannot lead, you are apt to go off and sulk — or find another group whom you can lead! This characteristic works both ways — favorably and unfavorably. It is good to be strong — but it is better to be able to stand up for your rights and not run off if you are facing a setback. Perhaps a great deal of this can be blamed on your strong emotions, for you are often governed by your feelings rather than by good, common sense. Learn to think things over a little more carefully before making your decisions. The chances are that then, you won't have to change your mind so often. You have a good head for business and actually must guard against being a little sharp in your dealings with others. Once you decide what you want, you can go after it without losing any of the cash payments which are coming to you. Another side of your nature, perhaps not as well known, is that you have a deeply spiritual nature. You have a great deal of faith in the ultimate good that can be accomplished. Somewhat stern in your display of discipline, those who follow your lead in the lean years will be those who are present to share your material success when it arrives. Among those born on this date are: Sir Joshua Reynolds, painter; Kathleen Norris and Floyd Gibbons, authors; Mary Baker Eddy, reformer; Barbara Stanwyck, actress. To find what the stars have in store for you tomorrow, select your birthday star and read the corresponding paragraph. Let your birthday star be your daily guide. Sunday, July 17 CANCER (June 22-July 23) — If you can, drive out into the country and enjoy the fine, summer weather. Get that sun-tan. LEO (July 24-Aug. 23) — Continue what you began yesterday with full confidence that you will succeed in whatever you most desire. VIRGO (Aug. 24-Sept.23) — An early start if you are making a trip is advised. You'll avoid being caught in a traffic jam. LIBRA (Sept. 24-Oct.23) — The stars indicate that things are balanced in your favor now. Take full advantage of good aspects. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov.22) — The stars say that a stroke of good fortune is very apt to come your way. Be ready for it. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 22) — You may receive praise for past work well done. Let it encourage you to make getic, highly magnetic individuals who stirs up a lot of activity whenever you go. Things can be as calm and quiet as a summer night—then splash! You enter the scene and there is thunder and lightning! You have a good head for business, are a fine executive, a good promoter — in fact, it will be a miracle if you are not wealthy before you have reached middle age. However, you may need to be careful of your spending habits, for you are inclined to spend money almost as fast as you can make it. But you believe that there is another pot of gold just around the next corner and are never "down and out." You women have a talent for public life and are natural joiners. You will always be active in the life of your community and are usually the chairman. You are not the type to sit back and let others do the hard work. You will always do your share to make a project a success. Among those born on this date are: James Cagney, actor; John Jacob Astor, financier; John Wilbur, reformer; Timothy Pickering and Peter Gansevoort, Colonial patriots; Alexander B. Meek, jurist and author. To find what the stars have in store for you tomorrow, select your birthday star and read the corresponding paragraph. Let your birthday star be your daily guide. Monday, July 18 CANCER (June 22-July 23) — If buying household necessities today, the chances are that you will find excellent bargains. LEO (July 24-Aug. 23) — You can mix business with pleasure; also anticipate a spice of romance in your life just now. VIRGO (Aug. 24-Sept. 23) — Be prepared to be aggressive and progressive. You can get exactly what you want if you go out after it. LIBRA (Sept. 24-Oct. 23) — The stars indicate that things are balanced in your favor now. Take full advantage of good aspects. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov.22) — The stars say that a stroke of good fortune is very apt to come your way. Be ready for it. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 22) — You may receive praise for past work well done. Let it encourage you to make getic, highly magnetic individuals who stirs up a lot of activity whenever you go. Things can be as calm and quiet as a summer night—then splash! You enter the scene and there is thunder and lightning! You have a good head for business, are a fine executive, a good promoter — in fact, it will be a miracle if you are not wealthy before you have reached middle age. However, you may need to be careful of your spending habits, for you are inclined to spend money almost as fast as you can make it. But you believe that there is another pot of gold just around the next corner and are never "down and out." You women have a talent for public life and are natural joiners. You will always be active in the life of your community and are usually the chairman. You are not the type to sit back and let others do the hard work. You will always do your share to make a project a success. Among those born on this date are: James Cagney, actor; John Jacob Astor, financier; John Wilbur, reformer; Timothy Pickering and Peter Gansevoort, Colonial patriots; Alexander B. Meek, jurist and author. To find what the stars have in store for you tomorrow, select your birthday star and read the corresponding paragraph. Let your birthday star be your daily guide. Sunday, July 17 CANCER (June 22-July 23) — If you can, drive out into the country and enjoy the fine, summer weather. Get that sun-tan. LEO (July 24-Aug. 23) — Continue what you began yesterday with full confidence that you will succeed in whatever you most desire. VIRGO (Aug. 24-Sept.23) — An early start if you are making a trip is advised. You'll avoid being caught in a traffic jam. LIBRA (Sept. 24-Oct.23) — These folders packed tight were enough to fill at least two railroad freight cars. They cover the Army six cents each and now they were worthless (except for starting fires) and you can do your own multiplying Maxwell Elliott, the general counsel of General Services, said he feared other government departments wold begin declaring their folders worthless, too, and parently it didn't. These folders packed tight were enough to fill at least two railroad freight cars. They cover the Army six cents each and now they were worthless (except for starting fires) and you can do your own multiplying Maxwell Elliott, the general counsel of General Services, said he feared other government departments wold begin declaring their folders worthless, too, and parently it didn't. LEO (July 24-Aug. 23) — Continue what you began yesterday with full confidence that you will succeed in whatever you most desire. VIRGO (Aug. 24-Sept.23) — An early start if you are making a trip is advised. You'll avoid being caught in a traffic jam. LIBRA (Sept. 24-Oct. 23)—Personal affairs should be going along smoothly for you just now. Take time out to enjoy life. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Plie the family into the car and get out into the open. Maybe a picnic would be a good idea. SAGGITARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 22) — Harmony should be supreme and the only thing to disrupt it could be your own attitude! CAPRICORN (Dec. 23-Jan. 20) — You may need to make a decision; whether to change earlier plans to accept an interesting invitation. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21-Feb. 19) — A good sermon might serve as an inspiration. You also may be asked to join some charitable activity. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) — If out of town, get an early start home to avoid heavy traffic, thus losing all good benefits from your week-end rest. ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 20)—Even if visiting away from home, why not attend church as a visitor? You might receive a message of value. TAURUS (Apr. 21-May 21) — Church attendance might at this time, bring you exactly the spiritual inspiration which you currently need. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) — If out in unfamiliar country, take care that you don't get lost! This is true, whether hiking or driving. (Copyright, 1955, by United Feature Syndicate, Inc.) LIBRA (Sept. 24-Oct. 23) — The stars indicate that things are balanced in your favor now. Take full advantage of good aspects. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)—The stars say that a stroke of good fortune is very apt to come your way. Be ready for it. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 22) — You may receive praise for past work well done. Let it encourage you to make further advances. CAPRICORN (Dec. 23-Jan. 20) If contemplating a business change or expansion, this is a good time to do it, but proceed carefully. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21-Feb. 19) — Word from a distance, and from someone you love, may bring joy and cheer to you. If it's an invitation, accept it. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)—This is one of those days when a lot of hard work will bring highly satisfactory results. Get going! ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 20)—This could turn out to be a highly romantic day for you. Don't rush issues; let them take a natural course. TAURUS (Apr. 21-May 21) Daydreams alone won't bring the results you desire, but actions probably will do the job. GEMINI (May 22-June 21)—You may have to sacrifice some pleasure to finish a necessary job. Get started early and you can probably do both! (Copyright, 1955, United Feature Syndicate, Inc.) OILING THE HINGES ~ COMING ~ GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH GENEVA TOP-LEVEL CONFERENCE BERDANIER MAN'S VIEWS THE DAVID LAWRENCE DISPATCH Kaltenborn Ed. BY H. V. K ROLP KALM The propaganda battle advance of the Geneva meetnow made some things clear know now that the most immediate objective of the ence — the reunification many — will not be achieve The West has always wreunited Germany free to between communism and racy. The Soviet Union has opposed reunification except conditions in which the Communist minority could control over the entire country This difference has prethe reunion of East and Germany for the past It will continue to exist a Geneva Conference adjourn THE SOVIET UNION last day issued an official st which makes this clear. Even the rearming of Western G was first discussed some five ago, the Soviet Union has every device to prevent rearmament. Since 1950 the lin has waved the stick carrot alternately before many and the Western power purpose was to sow division the United States, Britain France and to alienate the mans from the West. Both finally failed. For a time the Soviet U most succeeded. France ratify German rearmament by a change in method brought Germany into NATO bership and German army NATO control were the reconciled. But the West has sometime learn from the patience a sistence with which the MAN'S VIEWS plus Folders Box Cars, barass Army HINGTON — Now we've to freight cars full of a bushish crisis. It's enough over a taxpayer with clip. anybody who goes to work Uncle Sam, including his men, must fill out a wad of forms. These go into a manilla which follows him the life. The Civil Service Commis­which is in charge of mak­the forms that jobholders sign, designed some new few weeks back. They have been whoppers, I have no accurate inform­on this. Army took a look at 'em, event, and decided they fit in its old folders. he latter it turned over to general Services Adminis­to­tory to sell as surplus prop­ellant 7,400,000 of them. us sales agents were They calculated that the had enough of these no-orders to last the entire ent­ment for the next 18 that is if the government by it didn't. folders packed tight enough to fill at least two freight cars. They cost army six cents each and they were worthless (ex-ear starting fires) and you your own multiplying. Well Elliott, the general of General Services, said need other government de­vents wold begin declaring soldiers worthless, too, and THE DAVID LAWRENCE DISPATCH Claim Ban on Nuclear Weapons Might Increase Armament Cost to People of United States WASHINGTON — Paradoxical as it may seem, the net effect of any ban on the use of nuclear weapons that could be proclaimed at the Four Power Conference at Geneva, or in any subsequent conference, might be to increase substantially the armament cost to the American people. What is not generally realized is that because atomic and hydrogen bombs contain many times the explosive power of the conventional bomb used in World War II and known as "blockbusters," there is a substantial economy in their substitution for the ordinary bombs. If both A-bombs and H-bombs are tabooed, the United States would have to build up its capacity to drop conventional bombs on enemy territory. This means that long range bombers by the thousands would have to be provided. Estimates vary, but one military executive said he thought it might mean trebling the cost for more bomber aircraft just to be able to deliver the blows that would be necessary to make sure "massive retaliation" against an aggressor would be effective. Obviously the contention of many military men is that disarmament talk is nonsense unless the plan is to include all kinds of armament. In other words there cannot be any partial restriction on the use of weapons because it would only mean the equivalent increase in conventional weapons to secure adequate defensive strength. The disarmament problem is regarded here as something attractive to talk about in international conferences — as a sort of evidence of a disarmament agreement are nil. It is important to talk about it, however, as a goal and as a means of offsetting the accusations of "warmonger" which the Communists level at the United States. That's why disarmament will be a topic of discussion for a long time to come though nothing concrete will ever come of it. Naturally, military men are concerned about any restrictions on the use of weapons. They have been saying in recent years that the introduction of nuclear weapons cuts down the expense and actually permits the reduction in the arms budget. The fact that the converse is also true — abolition of nuclear weapons means an increase in conventional arms — has not yet seeped through to the people in the western countries. There is evidence that the Russians are building up their armament at the very time that their propaganda is urging a reduction or limitation. It is to the interest of Moscow to catch up with the United States, particularly in airpower. If air strength is to be limited, however, the Reds have an ace in the hole — they have the biggest land armies in the world. Naturally it is Moscow's effort to persuade America and the West to stand still a few years while the Communists build up their armament. So the disarmament game isn't fooling our own military leaders as they scoff at talk of reduced expense and lower taxes allegedly as a result of any international agreements to limit armament. No plan that has as yet been brought out will accomplish any economy for the Americans from the West. Both finally failed. For a time the Soviet Union most succeeded. France re-ratify German rearmament by a change in method brought Germany into NATO bership and German armed NATO control were then reconciled. But the West has somehow learn from the patience and existence with which the pursues its political object. Last week's Russian note speaks of German rearmament just as though the issue was to be decided at Geneva. It of free elections in all German the main demand of the powers — as a subordinate lem. It again plays on Frends of German militarism. warns the German people any new war would be in Germany and would ruin country. It proposes to name the question of Germany THE BOY By—Nick Su CHAPTER TWENTY-CAMERON reached to behind him and hooked down of whisky. "All right, here you came for. But be sure back tonight an' tell me what pened." "Don't see the point of rigmarole," Calder grumbled the old man had gone. "If Larabees kills Riord I'm rid of him. If he kills bee—over another woman—finished, far as Christie cerned. And," a tight smile briefly over Cameron's t "a man killed—defendin' an' honor—is just the thing that might get these fightin' mad." "I see all that, but why If you want Riordan out way, why not let me take him?" "You're my hole -ard. If you for Mallory. I want now happen to you before them." "All right. If the point whole deal is getting rid lory, why not send for me me settle his hash three ago? Why," the gambled irritably, "a who..." It didn't have folders packed tight enough to fill at least two freight cars. They cost army six cents each and they were worthless (ex-ear starting fires) and you your own multiplying. Well Elliott, the general of General Services, said other government departments wold begin declaring holders worthless, too, and doing how many decades would show up. We went to the Civil Servi-mission," he told the Government Reorganiza-tion committee, "and we them, please, to redesign new forms so they would be the old folders. This the session now is doing." John F. Kennedy (D., said, yes, but why did Army buy so many folders first place? Counsel Elliott he had no idea. The Ar-ntn't tell him. Added that this was only an example of one hand of government doing something other knew nothing about. And others. Under, he said, the $22,000 factory building the GSA to the United Engineer-eer, at Newcastle, Pa., for manufacture of heavy press-itt and Co., were constructing themselves on get-1,600,000 rent, when the protested. He said how one compete in the heavy business when another of the government leased a bigger factory 50 miles into another press makerraction of this rental. Sir, said Elliott, it turned out the Navy had leased a 1,000 factory at nearby O.. to the Bliss Manu- armament talk is nonsense unless the plan is to include all kinds of armament. In other words there cannot be any partial restriction on the use of weapons because it would only mean the equivalent increase in conventional weapons to secure adequate defensive strength. The disarmament problem is regarded here as something attractive to talk about in international conferences — as a sort of evidence of good will and good intention. But nobody expects the limitation to get anywhere, and if it does, the inevitable result will be to create a new demand for long-range bombers. The aircraft industry certainly may enjoy its biggest boom if the ban on nuclear weapons becomes effective. All this is but another way of saying that the world is reaching the point where it will become necessary to find a way to ban all forms of international military airpower, and find some sure means of inspection if anything real is to be accomplished in the field of disarmament. Precisely because no nation, least of all the United States, is going to throw away its means of defense, whether on a conventional or unconventional basis, facturing Co., for $200,000 a year to make heavy presses. GSA couldn't cut the rent on its building under the law; the Navy couldn't raise the rent over at Canton. And United Engineering said it couldn't compete against Bliss Manufacturing. So it moved out of Newcastle. Now the government has a fine factory building there, vacant and available for sale or lease. If the government isn't to get into continual snafus like this, said Elliott, it had better let his outfit do all the selling. Or, at least, most of it. The Senators seemed to agree. (Copyright, 1955, United Feature Syndicate, Inc.) Kaltenborn Edits the News BY H. V. KALTENBORN and ROLF KALTENBORN The propaganda battle in advance of the Geneva meeting has now made some things clear. We now know that the most important immediate objective of the conference — the reunification of Germany — will not be achieved. The West has always wanted a united Germany free to choose between communism and democracy. The Soviet Union has always opposed reunification except under conditions in which the German immunist minority could exercise control over the entire country. This difference has prevented the reunion of East and West Germany for the past decade. It will continue to exist after the Geneva Conference adjourns. THE SOVIET UNION last Wednesday issued an official statement which makes this clear. Ever since the rearming of Western Germany as first discussed some five years ago, the Soviet Union has utilized every device to prevent German armament. Since 1950 the Kremlin has waved the stick and the rot alternately before both Germany and the Western powers. Its purpose was to sow division among the United States, Britain and France and to alienate the Germans from the West. Both efforts really failed. For a time the Soviet Union almost succeeded. France refused to justify German rearmament. Only a change in method which brought Germany into NATO membership and German arms under NATO control were the French concluded. But the West has something to learn from the patience and persistence with which the Kremlin unified to the establishment of an all-European system of collective security. RUSSIA WANTS a separate East Germany and a separate West Germany to join this proposed European security system and there learn that cooperation which could eventually bring about German unity. We must thus expect the Geneva meeting to be, in large measure, a propaganda battle in which a Western victory is by no means certain. The unity of France, Britain and the United States on the Geneva issues — German unification, East-West trade, arms reduction and control — is more apparent than real. The Western powers approach the Geneva meeting with separate points of view based on their separate political and economic problems. In France, the historic anti-German prejudice equals, if it does not surpass, the anti-Communist prejudice. In Britain, the need for more trade with the Communist world is a pressing consideration. In the United States, the high tide of prosperity and the successful creation of the greatest sum of military power the world has ever seen have given President Eisenhower the united backing of a strong country determined to tolerate no further aggressive Communist advance. Yet even though we now know that Geneva cannot solve the German problem, this does not mean that there cannot be progress. East and West could agree on methods to increase the exchange of non-strategic goods. This would be profitable for both guaranteeing the Soviet Union's continued control of Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. We still believe in a free Czechoslovakia and a free Hungary. We will continue to insist on that freedom for the Balkan states which was supposed to have been agreed to at the Yalta Conference. The U.S. Senate has agreed on a resolution demanding freedom for all these satellites. Last month Secretary of State Dulles indicated that the Russians had lost interest in the unification of Germany when the Kremlin had failed to block Western plans for German rearmament. Now we know that the patient, persistent Russian negotiators intend to use the Geneva conference not to negotiate and compromise but to present again the traditional Kremlin policies, this time with persuasion instead of pugnacity. (Copyright 1955, General Features Corp.) For a time the Soviet Union almost succeeded. France refused to notify German rearmament. Only by a change in method which brought Germany into NATO membership and German arms under NATO control were the French conciled. But the West has something to learn from the patience and persistence with which the Kremlin pursues its political objectives. Last week's Russian note again peaks of German rearmament is as though the issue remains be decided at Geneva. It speaks free elections in all Germany -- the main demand of the Western powers -- as a subordinate problem. It again plays on French fears of German militarism. It also warns the German people that any new war would be fought in Germany and would ruin their country. It proposes to subordinate the question of German rearmament. "I don't see the point of all this sigmarole," Calder grumbled after the old man had gone. "If Larrabee kills Riordan, then I'm rid of him. If he kills Larrabee—over another woman—he'll be finished, far as Christie's concerned. And," a tight smile played briefly over Cameron's thin lips, a man killed—defendin' a woman's honor—is just the kind of thing that might get these nesters rightin' mad." "I see all that, but why bother? If you want Riordan out of the way, why not let me take care of him?" "You're my hole card. I'm savin' you for Mallory. I want nothin' to happen to you before then." "All right. If the point of the whole deal is getting rid of Malory, why not send for me and let me settle his hash three months go? \ Why," the gambler demanded irritably, "a whole cam- I'll swing more weight in the state than Rob Mallory ever did. Why," a glow came into the icy-grey eyes, "I might even be governor some day!" As soon as Lita had pulled Kerry inside, he found himself clasped in her arms, her warm, vibrant body pressed close against him and her lips seeking his with an abandon that left him breathless. He could hardly thrust her away—and for the first moment, since he was only a normal flesh-and-blood young man, he didn't particularly want to. But, that moment ended, he freed himself gently from the clinging arms, and stood back to look at her. "What did you want to see me about, Lita?" he asked. "Well!" she turned away from him, and he thought he saw her shoulders shake. "It's bad enough I gotta ask you to come an' see me, after I ain't seen you in months an' months—an' then you hafta ask why I wanna see you." Her voice trembled. "Right off, before you even say you're glad 'tsee me or—or anything." "Well, of course I'm glad to see you, Lita." Kerry had seldom felt death wonderin' what was going to happen! "Nothing's going to happen to you, honey." The endearment slipped out unconsciously. "I've heard 'bout nester wars, Kerry. Some o' the folks here been through 'em before. They're awful—specially for women. Oh, Kerry—!" with a little wall, she buried her face against his shoulder. It was only natural for him to put his arm around her. He patted her with reassuring little murmura. She snuggled in to him, clinging round him as a frightened child might cling—and then suddenly not like a child at all. Both arms were tight around his waist, straining her body to him, and her avid mouth felt fever-hot against his skin. "Kerry, Kerry—" Her voice was a throbbing murmur deep in her throat, like the purr of a big cat. Suddenly Kerry felt as if he were choking for air. With a strength that had no gentleness in it, he thrust her away and stood up. The hot, soft hands reached out to draw him down again. He stepped back. "Quit it, Lita!" His voices had a rasping sound. There "I see all that, but why bother? If you want Riordan out of the way, why not let me take care of him?" "You're my hole card. I'm savin' you for Mallory. I want nothin' to happen to you before then." "All right. If the point of the whole deal is getting rid of Mallory, why not send for me and let me settle his hash three months go? Why," the gambler demanded irritably, "a whole campaign to handle what one bullet would do?" "Lon," Cameron told him impatiently, "you'll never be anything but a poker player. You can't see any further ahead than the next hand. Sure, we could kill Mallory an' Riordan an' grab broken Spur—maybe hold it. But I'm playin' for somethin' bigger than just land an' cattle. Look, I'll explain it to you once more. The nesters get worked up — never mind how 'cause nobody else is in to time all the smoke clears away—into movin' in on Mallory's range. There's a lot o' shootin', and Mallory gets killed. Who gets lamed for it? The nesters, o' course. A bunch o' nesters on the rod, stealin' other men's graze, illin' ranchers for defendin' their ww property — the cattlemen found here ain't goin' t stand for what, are they?" "But somebody's got to head them up, Mallory's dead, Toland's old an' sick, the sheriff's never handled anything bigger'n a saloon tight, the other ranchers are just little fellas that always looked to Mallory an' Toland to tell 'em what to do—they'll be millin' round like cattle in a storm, makin'a lot 'n noise an' gettin' nowhere. That's where I seen in—just a cattleman that wants law an' order." "An' when the nesters are cleaned out, there's Broken Spur without an owner, 'tggin' for somebody to take it over. Who's not a better right than the man that saved it from the sodbusters? Then, in a year or so—maybe sooner, when her old man's gone on, she needs a man—marry Christie an' take over Slash T. I'll be one o' the biggest cattlemen in Texas—an' the most respectable." "What did you want to see me about, Lita?" he asked. "Well!" she turned away from him, and he thought he saw her shoulders shake. "It's bad enough I gotta ask you to come an' see me, after I ain't seen you in months an' months—an' then you hafta ask why I wanna see you." Her voice trembled. "Right off, before you even say you're glad t see me or—or anything." "Well, of course I'm glad to see you, Lita." Kerry had seldom felt more-uncomfortable. He stumbled on, "Only—the way you wrote—I thought it was something important." "I reckon I'm not important any more." She swung around to face him again, blinking her long lashes rapidly, as if to keep back tears. "I reckon nobody's important now 'cept Christie Toland." "Well, Christie and me are going to get married pretty soon now." Kerry felt a relief in getting it out in the open. "After all, Lita, you knew i was going to marry her some time, didn't you?" "Sure, Kerry," Lita blinked once more, hard, and gave him a smile. "Sure, an' i—1 hope you'll be awful happy. Only—I guess I won't be sein' you any more, huh?" "We'll still be friends, Lita," Kerry protested unhappily. "She won't be wantin' to be friends with other girls—an' I don't blame her. I wouldn't either, if you was mine." Lita's smile grew wistful and tremulous. "Don't think I'm awful silly, Kerry, but I—1 wish you'd kiss me once more—just for goodbye. She wouldn't mind that, would she? She wouldn't need to know." She was leaning toward him, offering her lips. Kerry tried to make the kiss brotherly, but it wauntn't—at least on her part. Somehow he found himself sitting beside her on the sofa. "I really did have a reason for writin' to you, Kerry," she gold him softly. "—sides wantin' to see you, I mean, Kerry, I been so worried!" "What about, Lita?" "All this trouble 'tween our folks an' Broken Spur. I been scared t" were tight around his waist, straining her body to him, and her avid mouth felt fever-hot against his skinn. "Kerry, Kerry—" Her voice was a throbbing murmur deep in her throat, like the purr of a big cat. Suddenly Kerry felt as if he were choking for air. With a strength that had no gentleness in it, he thrust her away and stood up. The hot, soft hands reached out to draw him down again. He stepped back. "Quit it, Lita!" His voice had a rasping sound. There was no chivalry in him at that moment. He thrust her away from him so that she stumbled. Her hip struck against the table. She recovered her balance with one hand clawing at the table edge, came erect with her spine arching like an angry cat's—and fled at him; the fingers of her right hand crisped into talons that raked his face from checkbone to jaw. Almost gently he pinioned her wrist and forced it down to her side. "Thanks, Lita. I needed that." Her voice followed him out of the house and down the road, spitting and snarling. His cheek burned where her nails had torn it, and the sting was welcome. The hot, dusty air felt unbelievably clean and good. When she knew the sound of her voice couldn't reach Kerry any more, Lita turgged back into the cabin, but her furry was far from spent, and it had to have an object. There was one thing no man could do to Lita Dawson, and that was scorn her. Goaded with the whip of mortification, Lita raged around the cabin, venting her feelings on the shabby furnishings, since there was nothing better at hand. She kicked at a splint-bottomed chair, and it went over with one rickety leg broken. She thrust her weight against the table, still littered with the greasy dishes of last night's meal, till she sent it all to the floor with a satisfying crash. She flung pans and crockery about the room, till there was nothing left to fling, and then threw herself down, spent, panting and half-sobbing, across the bed. (To Be Continued)