The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-19
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER xxxv

NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 CHAPTER xxxv
 Norma read the letetr a second time-each word clear, standing out with photographic exactness. The words followed one another neatly on the typewritetn page. There was nothing wrong with them. The words were all right. It was the meaning-what she had thought that first time-oh, but it was impossible
 Her lips frightened in sudden fright. It couldn't-oh, it couldn't be!
 They stared up at her from the harmless white page. Those ter- rible, unbelievable words! They arranged themselves in two brief paragraphs and at the end was Marks fathers signature. The let ter read:
 Dear Miss Kent: Word has just come to me today in Paris my son was granted an absolute di- vorce from you without alimony.
 Evidence in the case-taken from police records here in Marl- boro-will be withheld from news paper announcements. This pre- caution was taken through consid- eration for you. You will under stand that hereafter you have no legal claim whatever on my son. Since Marks stay abroad has been extended it will be useless for you to attempt to see him.
 Very sincerely,
 F. M. TRAvERs.
 It couldn't be. No, no! Absolute divorce,' police records" mo le- gal claim!" The phrases hurled themselves at her. Unless to at- tempt to see him!" Oh, dear God, it couldn't mean what she thought it didl
 Her eyes burned too brightly. Her faded. She crossed the room, leaned against the wall and pressed her palms together.
 Divorce" Divorce without ali- mony!" Norma closed her eyes att tempting to shut out the memory. She could not shut out the sight of those words, dancing on the typewritten page.
 Somehow she got wrap about her, went down the stairs and found herself in the street. The wind had grown colder since night fall. It blew her skirts, tossed her hair back. It did not occur to Norma that she was hatless and that her hands were bare. Pulling the coat more tightly about her she ran.
 Chris Saunders drew the door back. "Why. Normal" she ex- claimed. What in the world? Here-come on in!'
 Norma Travers did not speak. She entered the dimly lighted room, almost stumbling.
 What's happened?" Chris de- manded. You look like a ghost! Sit down in this chair here and get hat? Why Norma, you shouldn't
 Suddenly the younger girl had thrown her arms about Chris shoulders and was sobbing with great, shaking sobs. She clung to Chris as a child might. The sob ping continued-broke off-then went on again.
 "Oh, but Norma, darling! Please! You mustn't let yourself go on like this" Chris was batting the other girls shoulders, trying to be comforting.
 Dorothys head emerged from the bathroom. She looked at the two girls but before she could speak caught Chris warning signal and retreated.
 "Honey, there's nothing in the world to cry about this way. Try to stop it. won't you, so you can tell me what's wrong? Chris efforts to still the onslaught were useless. It was several minutes be- fore Norma raised her head and accepted the handkerchief the other girl gave her. It was longer before she could even try to speak. When she did the words would not come.
 "Chris-oh. Chris!" was all she managed to say. There was a fresh burst of weeping.
 Suddenly from her purse Norma drew the crumpled sheet of pa- per that was the letetr. Read 1t. Chris!" the girl moaned. Marks father. He says-he says there's been a divorce!" She buried her face again in the handkerchief.
 Chris unfolded the letetr. She read it slowly. Her arms slipped about Norma again and held her closely. "Poor darling!" she said tenderly. "Oh. you poor darling!"
 DO you think it's true Chris?"
 The other girl shook her head slowly. Maybe he's only trying to frighten you" she said. striving to make her voice sound hopeful. "The old devil! Maybe I wouldn't like to tell him what I think of him though! When did you get this?" she demanded. holding up the let ter.
 Just before came over here. It was sent special delivery. Did you read it. Chris? Did you see what 1t said? mean about--the police? That means they know evervthing-"
 "wait a minute! You can't give up SO easily. tell you the whole thing may be bluff!"
 "Oh. If I could only believe that Tell me 1t isn't true. Chris! Tell me 1t can't be. Mark wouldn't do a thing like that to me! He-he couldn't!"
 "Had any word from him at all since he left?"
 "No. But he didn't know where to write to me. Oh. I'm sure he'e sent letters to his fathers homo oniy I corldn't get them! I'm sure aA..4 .s.. .....atl...f Isxf.s. la. IfI