The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-02
Olg3l H8 hlEA SERVlCE lNs .

was ready Norma had finished
 The day that followed and the ones that came after it were curi- ous. Neither Norma or Mrs Ever cit left the apartment. Morning and evening newspapers were de- 1ivered at their door. Every day Mrs Everett telephoned orders to the grocery and meat store. Some times they played the radio and 1t brought them the only voices they heard except their own. It was a curious existence, be- ing in the world and not being in 1t. Sunday passed exactly as the week days except that Chris and Bob arrived together for a brief visit. There was no chance for Norma to talk to either of them alone.
 Monday passed slowly and Tuesday dragged. A package arr rived, sent by Chris. It contained Norma's suit and some other cloth. ing. The suit had long since lost its elegance. It was the one Nor ma had worn on her honeymoon journey a year and a half before. She was to wear 1t in the court room next day. It was curious that the g1rl scarcely gave a thought to the threat against her life. She had never taken that anonymous letter seriously.
 Tuesday afternoon Mrs Everett coached Norma about the trial. She explained the proceedings. If Mrs Everett had seemed a pleasant, talkative housewife previously now s,~AarutnnA cha c far more than that. She knew the facts of the Wellington investiga- tion as we'll as the district attorney himself--or appeared to. "I'll be right with you, child" she told the girl repeatedly. There's nothing for you to be afraid of and I'll be right behind you"
 Norma strove to conceal her ner- vousness. She was nervous-no use to deny 1t!
 Remember" Mrs Everett's calm voice went on. You're doing this as much for others as yourself. Oh, I'm sure you'll be brave. And "A hours from now the whole thing will be over.'
 Before Norma's eyes there arose 8 blurred vision of staring faces men and women craning their necks to look at her, whispering voices, cameras clicking, alert, de- termined reporters. Twenty-four hours! Oh, could she go through all that nightmare again? Twenty four hours!
 A policeman was at Norma's el- bow. Stand back!" he roared> "D'you hear me-Stand back!" The crowd on the sidewalk edged backward. Through the narrow passageway the girl felt herself be- ing pushed and pulled forward. The door of the waiting taxi opened. Norma stumbled inside, sank back against the leather cush- ions.
 "Chris!" she moaned. "oh, Chris-!'
 The older girls arms were around her. But it's all over, honey! There's nothing to cry about now. It's all over!" Norma's head was pillowed against Chris shoulder. She clung to the other girl helplessly. Norma was weeping tears of exhaustion. She drew far back into the dark l corner of the cab.
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 moaned. "Home!"
 The cab had pulled away from the curb. Mrs Everett said you
 were to go to her apartment | Chris began but Norma shook her head.
 'rI want to go homei" she re- peated. Away from all those peo- pie. Don't make me go back there again! Please take me homei'
 "Why, of course-of course if you feel that way about 1t! You don't have to go any place you don't want to!" Chris leaned for- ward, gave the driver the address of the apartment the girls shared.
 Norma's sobbing continued for several moments. Presently she was quiet, rubbed her eyes with a handkerchief.
 Everyone thought you were wonderful" Chris said in a low voice. "You didn't see the news papers. did you? They say it's only the beginning of a tremendous clean-up. They say the investiga- tfon is going on until 1t reaches the men who've been making all the graft. 'Whitey' Blacks going to go on the stand tomorrow" She stopped, catching sight of the other girls face. Norma said unsteadily. "Please don't talk about 1t! IT don't want to even know what I'm going to do, Chris? waiting in that room in the court house.
 What are you going to do?" "I'm going away!" Norma said the words almost f1ercely. "I'm going away where people won't know me. Here-oh, I'd never be able to look at anyone again" You need a good rest. That's what you need" Chris said gently. The cab left them before the fa- miliar brick building. Norma and l Chris went inside and climbed the two flights of stairs. The door opened to reveal the shabby, home like room.
 Norma dropped into the big chair. She leaned back signing. "Every time anything important has happened in my life," she said. "I've come back to this place. I thought when I married Mark I was leaving 1t for good. came back though when he went away and came back the night heard about the divorce. After the baby was born we came here from the hospital. It seems I'm always com ing back to this room. That's why wanted to be here tonight! It's sort of a comforting place. Don't you think so?"
 "It is to me-" Chris agreed. "Do you know it's almost four years since that afternoon we looked at it and agreed to take it?" Norma said idly, "A lot can hap pen in four years" She arose and took off her hat and coat. The older girl was watching her. "You don't mind being alone for a little while, do your" she asked carelessly. ''We'll need things from the delicatessen for dinner. Then IT think I should telephone Mrs Everett that you've decided to stay here tonight. If you don't mind I'll rim nut and do if now"