The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-03

seen some ads in the paper and have so much time on my hands! Would you mind if looked round to see if could find a job--you know, just something until you're working?"
 He let her finish. "That makes | it perfect" Mark said slowly. That's the final touch. We'll, Norma, you can look for job any day so far as I'm concerned. But the day you find one and begin working I walk through that door and don't come back. l may be a hell of a good-for-nothing but I'm not quite low enough to live off my wife's wages. Not yet" He halted a moment before the mirror, adjusting his tie. Then Mark picked up hat and coat and left the apartment.
 So once more Norma lunched with Chris Saunders. Toward Chris the younger girl turned as toward the last remaining stronghold of courage and comfort.
 They met in a crowded cafeteria but the very hustle and hum of the eating place provided privacy. In the drone of hundreds of other voices their condolences were se- cure.
 TT don't know what to do, Chris!" Norma's voice rose tremu- lously with the last words. Were not getting anywhere and-oh, I'm so afraid something's going to happeni I don't quite know what. When Mark talks the way he did this morning--he doesn't mean it, of course, but not being able to find a job is getting on his nerves. Maybe it's getting on mine, too. I try not to let it. Chris, I hate to talk to you like this but what can I do?"
 Chris Saunders selected tender section of celery.
 He's right, you know" she said thoughtfully, lat least about your getting a job. A man with a grain of gumption isn't going to let his wife bring home pay check while Hes doing nothing"
 But I didn't mean it that way-!"
 "Of course you didn't lamb. It isn't how we mean things; it's the way other people take them that's Important. Anyhow think Marks right. What kind of job has he been looking for?''
 "Oh, anything. I've heard him say a dozen times he's willing to do anything and he means it. Mark would do anything at all so long as it paid enough for our living That's what worries me. You see the money we borrowed is almost gone"
 "Your credits good with me kid"
 Do you think Mark would lei me borrow from you? Of course not."
 Well, about this job. What does he know how to do?"
 The two tiny wrinkles reap peared in Norma's forehead . "Working in his fathers office is about the only real job he's ever had. He wasn't there very long and anyhow that was mostly. get ting acquainted with the people in the organization and seeing how things were done"
 Don't I know! Rich mems sons. Inherit the business some day come in and see how the faithful slaves keep it going" .,.
 Swiftly Norma took the defense. But it wasn't Marks fault! That was what his father wanted him to do. And besides it's different now. Mark really wants to work. He wants to work hard and he's been through college and he's so clever. Oh, I know he'd be big success if he could just get chance!"
 While she was still speaking the other girls face had lighted. "Listen!" Chris exclaimed dramati- cally, i've got an idea! Do you suppose Mark could sell adyertis- ing?'
 "Of course he could!"
 Well, I just remembered some thing. Bud Jamieson's quitting Saturday and Brad hasn't hired anyone to take his place. Brad doesn't ordinarily take inexperi- enced salesmen but he likes Mark! 1! I'll tell you what you do-"
 Casually that evening Norma spoke of meeting Chrls. She added in an off-hand way, Chris said Mir Hart's been wanting to see you. Asked if you could stop in his office tomorrow morning"
 What's he want to see me about?"
 Dark fringed lashes fluttered faintly. Then the betetr part of valor won a victory. ''l don't know" the girl said. She told me MT Hart's always in about Il o'clock. Chris is looking awfully well, Mark. I don't beileve she's putting in as much overtime as she did"
 Shortly before noon next day Norma was called to the telephone. A jubilant-voiced Mark almost shouted the glad tidings:
 Brad Hart's got a job for me! Wants me to start right away. Do you hear that, Babyy 1 said Brad Hart wants me to work for him selling advertising. Sure l can do 1t! Why, of course. Everybody knows advertising's good thing! It'u be a snap! Hart's taking me around to meet some of his cus- toners this afternoon. I'll tell you all about it when get home. See you later, Baby. 'Bye!"
 They celebrated by going to the nSlSnDOTnooQ lhotioAi PfNboAS hSesS that evening and holding hands throughout a talking drama which was neither very funny nor very moving emotionally. To Norma the picture glowed with a haze of TO- mantle beauty that was to make it memorable. :,
 For a week thereafter Mark Travers arose to the clangor of the new alarm clock, downed his breakfast and sprinted for the S:l5 car. Each evening he reappeared between 5:30 and 6. After dinner he read a volume Norma had un- earthed in the public library. "Phychology in Selling Advertis- ing" was the title of the book.
 Norma got out the paper note- book containing her much-thumbed budget. Forty-five dollars a week was the sum Mark was to be paid. Pitifully small to a young man of Marks financial standards but there would be commissions and raises. Norma remade the budget sheet so that it totaled s45. There