The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-22
lGU!LI { ! IY@l,Ip!S,. !! !l,... LAURA LOU BROOKLYN Ass s. S s A1 M gtb1eE MARRAeE Ea


 1 when the bell rang. Norma went | to answer it and admitted Bob. l She apologized, explained dinner had been late. Bob called for a tea towel and volunteered to help but his offer was refused. In five minutes the last of the dishes were out of sight. Norma remembered one of the windows I had taken on an unmanageable stubbornnes and could not be raised. Would Bob fix it? Of course he would. He did. "You know" Farrell said as he dropped into the arm chair, "a fel- low came into the office today with one of the craziest cases I've ever heard of. It's fellow who lives in Laurel Park. Do you know what he's up against? ?" 1T wouldn't even try to guess" said Chris. "what's his difficulty 2"
 well, Laurel Park has its own city government, you know. They've paved a new street and this man. Perkins his name is--owns a house on the block. But when he bought his property the owner retained a strip of foot wide between the house an dstreet. When they came around with the paving proposi- tion Perkins refused to pay for the strip in front of his home, saying he didn't own the frontage. Mo- body could persuade him to buy that foot of land. We'll, the paw ing's all in now and the Laurel Park council has ruled that if Perkins steps over or crosses it in any way he will be subject to ar- rest. The man came to us to see what he could do about it." "Why, how perfectly silly!"
 Maybe, but he's had to come and go by the back door and alley drive for a week now and he's pretty sick of it. Everybody else can use the street and sidewalk. You see he has legal right to be on his own property. He has the same legal right as anyone else to be on the street. What he can't do Is cross from one to the other." Norma was smiling. Are you going to help him, Bob ?"
 "Oh, there's really nothing much for Perkins to do but come across and buy that land. It's just a case of mulishness. He's made up his mind he won't. Someone else made up theirs that he would. It's not my worry though. Bill Kennedy's handling it. He was telling me about the thing just before left the office. Just one of these freak affairs that pop up every now and then"
 "I remember Mir Brooks told me about something like that once" Norma said meditatively. She re- lated sketchy details of a legal con- troversy involving a picket fence. They sat in the comfortable liv- ing room and talked for three- quarters of an hour. Then Farrell arose and said he must be leav- ing.
 Come to see us again soon," Chris urged as he stood with one hand on the doorknob. Norma added, "Yes, dol"
 Thanks. Be glad to. We'll good night!'
 There was no doubt that Chris plan to take Norma's mind from her worries had succeeded. Norma was more like her O Id self for the rest of the evening.
 | A week later when Bob called to see if the two girls were at home he promised them a surprise. Over the telephone he refused to explain further but half an hour later he led them proudly to the apartment window and pointed to the street There before the entrance was a shiny coupe.
 "Oh, Bob!-is it yours?"
 "Why Bob-!"
 "Nice looking little bus, isn't it ?' he said grinning. "Got the chance to buy 1t at a bargain and 1t was too good to refuse. Picks up speed too! Well-would you like to try itY
 Both girls exclaimed with en- thusiasm when they inspected the car at close range. It was small. of inexpensive make but 1t had trim lines. Farrell was like a school boy displaying a new toy. | He helped the girls inside and took the wheel. They drove for an hour and a half. April had been a cool month but there was the scent of spring in the air. Bob circled the car through park. It was the same park Norma had found so inviting the day she had shopped for the Thanksgiving din- ner. Trees were unfurling their fresh green leaves now. The little leaves could not keep out the boughs seem heavier. Two weeks before the leaves had not been there.
 "Bob," said Norma softly, "I think we should go back now" 70. K. Just as you say" He did not go inside when they reached the apartment but nodded cheerful good night at the door.
 "Take another spin some of these times?" Farrell asked.
 wen be glad to-" Chris told him and Norma agreed. Then they went into the building.
 | On A Sunday afternoon 10 days later Farrell took the girls for a second drive. Then as the days be- came warmer he dropped into the habit of coming around oftener. The second week in May there was a terrific and unreasonable ho' spell. A drive in the open country after sunset was a blessed rel1ef Bob's coupe drew up before the apartment almost every evening.
 Always the three of them went together. It was natural enough because Chris and Norma spent al most every evening in each others company. When Bob was witf them Chris found relief from the constant strain of keeping Normas thoughts diverted.
 Dr Willoughby mentioned the fact that his patient seemed in bet ter spirits.
 June arrived. Norma gave uI her work in Stuart's office and 6 girl whom Chris knew. a capable stenographer out of work since the office in which she worked cut iti force, took over her duties. About the same time Norma told Chri. l 4Ao.xl.A Rnh ahnaald Ail0nn,