The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-05
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 
CHAPTER xxrIr

CHAPTER xxfII
 Mark Travers halted on the fourth step below the landing. The staircase and hall were poorly lighted and his face was in shadow. .Hello!" he said evenly to the girl above.
 Norma was radiant. "oh. I'm glad you've come, dear! Did you work this afternoon? I thought you'd be through long ago!"
 Had a talk with Brad" Mark said indifferent1y. He had climbed the last four steps and stood be- side her. "Well-you're all dressed up, aren't your"
 The blue eyes twinkled. "Do you like it?" she asked. "Really?'' Norma looked down at the simple crepe frock she was wearing The cloths sapphire shade exactly matched her eyes. She whirled about in pirouette and assumed the pose of a fashion mannequin. "Guess," she demanded dramatical- ly "what 1t cost!"
 'sGosh, how should I know? Where'd you buy it?"
 T didn't buy it, Mark. I made it! Mrs Tracey on the floor below let me use her sewing machine. I got a pattern and it wasn't a bit hard. And the best part is-it cost exactly $4.2s!"
 DO you mean it?" Incredulity in the young mans eyes. Do you honestly mean you can get a dress like that for four bucks?"
 Not in a store-of course not. But I've always liked to sew and it was fun to see if I could make a whole dress. Tell me-do you really think it looks all right? I was sort of worried about these tucks-"
 Looks like a million dollars to me-" There was something a lit- tie strange about Marks voice. Something unusual in the way he avoided her eyes, too. Norma, ex- cited over her triumph as a seamstress, took no notice.
 do the marketing" she announced happily. q waited on purpose so we could go together to-day. You you got your check, of course ?"
 "Yes, I've got it."
 The girl was bustling about the apartment. Norma took pride in her housekeeping and the quarters were SO crowded that if a single chair was misplaced, a drawer left open or the slightest detail out of order. the scene became topsy- turvy.
 She brought her coat and Mark held 1t for her. The small hat was damned down over her curls. All the way downstairs as as they walked the two blocks to the gro- cery and meat market. Norma talked eagerly. After the hours of waiting it was comforting to have Mark beside her. His silence escaped her attention.
 They bought generously-pota- toes, canned goods. butter, a loaf of bread, eggs, fresh vegeta- bles and fruit. There was small roast for dinner next day, cream and mRcaroons from which Nor ma would concoct a delicious des- sert. The huge paper sacks were piled high when the two were ready to start for home. Their purchases would make up the bulk of their living for the next week. Norma explained advan- tages of quantity buying as they retraced their steps. She believed emphatically that foods should be selected personally and not or dered by telephone.
 Not until they were back in the apartment did 1t occur to her as strange that Mark was talking so littsA She looked at him closely asked if he were feeling we'll.
 Sure. I'm all right" Mark an- swered carelessly. ..
 He wasn't, however. He wasn't at all the usual Mark and though he strove against 1t and tried to keep it back at last the story came out. They had finished the evening meal. Norma was remov- ing dishes from the table and Mark was barricaded behind q news paper. Suddenly he threw down the scattered sheets.
 Let's get out of here--go some where!" he exclaimed.
 'All right. As soon as 1 have these dishes done. Where do you
 axnywhere! Want to get out of this place, that's all. Here-fI wipe those for you"
 She provided him with a fresh tea towel and the dishwashing pe- gan. A small tdsk. Iucir entit supply of dishes would not i'll 2 shelf in the built-in cupboard over the sink. Before Mark had dried the last plate his mood changed again.
 thing that was serious had hap- pened.
 Norma put a hand on his shoui- der. "Please. Mark!" she begged. ssyou're worried about something! know you are. Won't you tell me what's the matter? Won't you tell me what it's about?''
 He tried to evade. failed. The ugly secret was barnded in the burning brown eyes. Mark started to deny. shifted his gaxe and blurt- ed out, sT'm not going back to aart's. I'm fred!"
 "Mark-?"
 "oh, Brad didn't put it that way. Of course. He didn't use the word, fired That's what he meant. though. Aslkcu me to so to lunch with him and edged around to the fact haven't made single -U AI.t@ LIIX&UA uI1..&