The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-09-25
CLJI[T q LIPS
bU Aida ri pDr>OHAAAAa Author Of MAD MARRIAGE
- GHOINN EAO DNOOrNVu0IN NA SERHcE ms
Author OF MIND MIAI<I[INlJE
Obj BY NEA SERVICE ms

She stood long before windows
filled with gifts bearing the sig
nificant placard, For him" She
read professional shoppers sugges-
tons for presents for young men.
Marks tastes were difficult.
She would have loved to buy him
something truly expensive, but that
was out of the question. She
would have liked to give him some
thing she had made with her own
hands. There was no way to sat-
isfy either Of these desires so
Norma compromised.
She selected a sweater Of soft
yarn, exquisite to touch. 1t was a
rich tan she knew Mark admired.
He could wear it for golf and on
comfortable evenings lounging at
home.
The sweater was her only Christ
mas purchase. She and Chris,
knowing each others financial sta
tus. had ruled out gifts for each
other long ago.
Norma bought sheet of the most
festive paper she could find in which
to wrap the sweater. 1t was black
and white, spangled with silver, and
she tied it with crimson ribbon.
Nice, Norma told herself as she
surveyed the offering. Nice enough
-almost-for the most beloved hus-
band in the world.
He would bring gift for her, too.
Something from Paris perhapsl
When such thoughts occurred to
her during working hours, it was
necessary for Norma to force her
attention rigidly back to her note
book, back to her typewriter. There
were entire letters to be rewritten
because OF moods of day dreaming.
OCCASIONALLY at her desk in
~ Stuart's Office she felt qualms
of conscience because she had not
admitted to her employer that she
had taken the position temporarily
Neither had she told him she was
married.
It was deceiving, Norma told her.
self guiltily. On the other hand
she knew enough about business to
understand that either admission
might have cost her the job. She
was doing her work efficiently
Stuart was satisfied.
When Mark came back, she would
tell Stuart the truth and he would
have no difficulty finding another
secretary. Hundreds of girls were
looking for work.
She was lingering before a
brightly lighted window filled with
toys one evening when something
made her turn. Not three yards
away, his eyes fixed on the display
she had been looking at, stood Bob
Farrell.
Norma moved nearer. Hello,
Bob" she said, smiling.
Hello! Say-where'd you come
from?"
81 was standing right there beside
you admiring the dancing bear. Are
you picking out your Christmas
gift? Something in this window
certainly seems to have you hypno-
TIED"
Bob grinned. "Cute, aren't they?
Which one do you want?"
ooh, I'll take the bear. Isn't he
adorable?"
well, write your letter to Santa
Claus and be a good girl! Where
are you bound for? Couldn't take
pity on a guy and have dinner with
him, could you?"
Sorry. I've just had dinner. I'm
on my way to get the car"
Farrell said, my hard luck!
Don't mind if I walk along with
your"
"Of course not. Have you been
winning any more big cases?"
Haven't even had a chance. ]
suppose you're all wrapped up in
Christmas shopping and getting
ready for the holidays"
"Well-not exactly. Mark isn't
going to be able to get here, I'm
ofraid. That sort of spoils things
"Is he still abroad? That's too
bad! When do you expect him?"
Norma was looking steadily
ahead. II hope it won't be more
than two weeks now," she said. "It
seems a terribly long time"
"Oh, two weeks isn't long-un-
less you're waiting for a. check!
It'll pass before you know it."
The girl smiled. Remember, +"
she said, when he does come you're
going to be our first dinner guest"
That's a promise. I won't for
get"
They had reached the car stop
and street car was heading to-
ward them. Norma turned. I'm
glad to have seen you, Bob" she
said. Hope you have fine Christ
mas"
Thanks" Farrell looked as
though there were something more
he wanted to say, but the car was
almost there. Another minute and
it had stopped with a noisy clan
gor.
Norma's "Good-by' came to him
over the heads of half dozen men
and women.
She forgot about the meeting al
most instantly. Norma was tired.
Another day gone; another cross on
the calendar. She was too weary
to smile at the agreeable thought.
Ito Be Continued