The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-09-18
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eAs@AAANe ANOAAua AShuSCS UGH young man her name or where h, can see her again. Later she join BOB FARRELL, young lawyer for dinner engagement. Farrcl asks her to marry him and Nor ma. for the third time, declines.
 The scene of the story is Marl boro, middlc-western metropolis Norma takes the puppy to tho shabby, apartment she shares witt CHRISTINE SAUNDERS. Norma fears Chris is falling in love witt her married employer, BRADLEY HART, proprietor of an advcrtis. ing agency. Next day Norma in. scrts an advertisement about the puppy in the Marlboro Press lost and found column. The first pre-. son to answer this advertisement is Mark Travers, who explains Inc has made every effort to learn Norma's identity. He tries to make a date but she declines his in. yitations. Travers departs and later goes with NATALIE PRli
 debutante, on d gay round of the night clubs.
 Next evening a small boy comes to see Norma, claims the puppy and takes it home. Chris goes to aid MINNIE BAKER. an impover- ished friend whose 2-ycar old son has been badly burned. Norma receives telephone calls from Trayers and ignores them. She goes for Il drive with Bob Far rell and he tells her he is going to. leave Marlboro. She is sorry but does not take this announce naent seriously. Two days later she meets Travers on the street and goes to lunch with him. This Is- the beginning of week of whirlwind courtship. Then one night Chris arrives home to find Norma in tears. Its about Mark!' Norma says.
 NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 CHAPTER TX
 Chris Saunders went down on both knees beside the other girl. She put hand on Norma's shoul, der. "Tell me about 1t, honey! she begged. You mustn't cry Tell me what's happened!"
 There was no response from the blond head. Norma's face was hidden. Her shoulders con- tihued to rise and fall with great, shaking sobs.
 ..Norma!" Chris voice was sharply anxious. "Norma- you've got to tell me!'
 The blond head raised for an instant uncertainty. Then It dropped again. From among the pillows came in muffled tones, "ft's-about Mark"
 -.But what about him? Whats he done?"
 sFor an instant the room was ttnsely silent. At last Norma found her voice. She said weak lY. in tones that wavered unstead, ily, "He's-oh. Chris!-he's asked me Co mary him!"
 Chris Saunders strengthened back. Blank amazement was wfit- ten across her face. "Asked you to marry him!" she repeated ln- credulously.
 sThe huddled figure on the dav- annort nodded. Norma's face was concealed again but sne went VI, 1T, choking syllables, Marx askeq ' me-to marry Hiiii to'i9
 -4-oh, love him! l love nm so!" .......-..,,, d, .srhe older girls expression did not change. For a long moment siie eyed her roommate. SLOWLY then Chris got to her feet ana made a place for herself among the cushions beside Norma. She drew one arm about the other girl. o,.,. began gently. i've never seen this Mark of yours and l don't know anything about him, but 1T he loves you and you're sure hes the man you want
 MHer words were broken of1. Tn high pitched, tormented tones Norma cried, "But I can't marry him! Don't you see, Chris - tan't!" The rest was lost in rxnewed siege of weeping.
 Chris let her finish with 1t. She stroked the shining golden head, patted Norma's shoulders with s6othing little pats. There, there!' she murmured consoling- iy. "Things are going to be all Tight, honey. There, there"
 .sGradually the torrent sub sided. Norma sat up and Chris supplied the handkerchief with which to dry her eyes. The lovely face was swollen and tear marked. With determined effort Norma managed to control her voice. .,, ss'"Oh, Chris!" she whispered. II do love him so! I-I didn't have any idea it was going to end this way. It's going to be so hard to let him go! You'd understand If you'd ever been in love!'
 If she'd ever been in love! The words struck on Chris Saunders ears with curious impact. s4'If you care for him so much, You're not going to give him up," Chris declared.
 s4s'But must, I couldn't couldn't marry him without tell
 The older girl stopped her. Hook at me, Norma Kent" she eaid crisply. "I don't know any, thing about this man you think You're in love with. All right then-this man you're sure is che right one for you. You haven't .ixnown him very long yourself, nave you? Less than two weeks. That's a pretty short time in which to decide something that's going to affect your whole life but I'm not going to try to in- fluence you one way or another. There's one thing do know, though and you've got to listen to me! Norma, there isn't a man living who's too good for you. Not one!"
 "But, Chris. how could I tell" = ''There isn't anything you need lfo tell" Chris went on emphati- cAlly. What's happened is over. The only way to erase - well, things that should never have hap spened-is to forget about them and sou can't forget if you're go- Ing to persecute yourself" '... Norma's two hands clasped the .edge of the davenport. Her blue eyes searched the other girls hungrily. ~ "Do you-really believe that?"