The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-10-13

ME young man sat facing ner.
Il ITS a pretty rotten story" he
said soberly. Il ought to be
ashamed to tell it to you-and I
am! Only I had to come to see you,
Norma. I had to talk to you.
All this that's been in the papers
Il didn't know anything about it
until I got a letter from Hollis
Stone. That was three weeks ago.
I've been travelling ever since"
But you didn't tell me where
you've been"
Didn't I? South America. Oh,
I forgot-of course you don't know.
Norma, I came to tell you there's
nothing I wouldn't do to erase the
injustices you've been through.
Il was to blame for part of them.
Oh, yes, I was! Only a blind fool
like myself would have believed the
things the lawyers told me in Paris.
couldn't understand why you
hadn't written"
But I did write! SO many let
ters!"
while I was in Paris? You wrote
to me there?"
Norma nodded. Mark said Bit
terly: go that's another way they
tricked me. Well, that about makes
it complete.
Il guess you've been glad to be
rid of me all right. About as poor
a spesimen Of husband as ever lived!
I don't expect you to take me back,
Norma. I didn't even come here
for that hope.
Il only want to tell you I know
you've been fine and square all
along. I knew that even when
listened to their lies"
ITS good of you to say that" she
told him slowly. But you mustn't
blame yourself for everything. I've
made mistakes-lots of them"
But I do blame myself! You
did more for me than any one else
in the world ever has. Those
months with you were the happiest
of my life and I threw happiness
away"
Travers went on after a pause,
Seems odd finding you here in the
old apartment. I didn't know where
to look for you. telephoned be-
cause I thought Chris might be
here"
Norma said, I'm still living with
Chris"
Mark glanced about, noting the
shabby furnishings. Obviously there
was not much money here.
I'm working in an office in the
same building where Chris works"
Norma explained I'm secretary
for a literary agent-Frederick
Stuart. But you haven't told me
what you've been doing in South
America. When did you go there?"
"Over a year ago. well, I did
not want to come back when I
thought you we're gone. My father
told me you'd run away. I didn't
know how to find you, so I went to
South America with an engineer
I'd met in the copper mines.
We've been working together
ever since. Nice fellow. Aliens his
name. You'd like him, Norma.
don't know anything about engi-
neering, but he's been teaching me.
It's a wonderful country down there.
I'm going back again."
ITO South American"
Travers nodded. ooh, I couldn't
hang around here. Nothing for me
to do in Marlboro"
TNHEY talked of inconsequential
Il things-as men and women
who have great deal to say to
each other so often do. Finally
Mark arose. He strobe to the win
dow and came back.
Norma" he said, there's some
thing else. 1 want to make a set
allowance for you. AS though it
were alimony.
But I couldn't take It'll" the girl
interrupted. 'I couldn't, Mark It's
kind of you, but please don't say
any more about it,"
He seemed disappointed. II want
to tell you it's my own money I'm
talking about. I'm not rich, but
we're getting along fairly we'll.
you see, it was really you who
taught me how to work, Norma.
That's one of the things I'll always
be indebted to you for"
She smiled. "As a floorwalker in
department store?"
Eyes, as a f1oorwalker. Those
weeks at Blossomdale's were good
for me-" Impulsively he added,
I'VE used to have fun-didn't we?"
Norma's smile disappeared. Eyes, p"
she agreed. 1--WE had fun"