The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-09-15
CHAPTER. TWENTY THREE

OT1AE 4 Err 4 WEN I I1fbEE
TRAvERS halted on the
1V1 fourth step below the landing.
The staircase and hall were poorly
lighted and his face was in shadow
'f1elloI" he said evenly to the girl
above.
Norma was radiant. ooh, I'm
glad you've come, dear! Did you
work this afternoon? I thought
you'd be through long ago!"
Had talk with Brad" Mark
said indifferently. He had climbed
the last four steps and stood beside
her. "Well-you're all dressed up,
aren't you?"
The blue eyes twinkled. do you
like it?" she asked. "Really?" Nor
ma looked down at the simple crepe
frock she was wearing. The cloths
sapphire shade exactly matched her
eyes.
She whirled about in a pirouette
and assumed the pose of a fashion
Guess" she demanded
dramatically, what it cost"
Gosh, how should know?
Whered you buy it?"
L didn't buy it, Mark. I made
It'll 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 $4.26!"
THO you mean it?" incredulity in
1.-the young mans eyes. do you
honestly mean you can get dress
like that for four bucks?"
mot in 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? was sort of Wor-
ried 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 heer eyes, too.
Norma, excited over her triumph
as a seamstresS, took no notice.
"I'll get my coat and we can do
the marketing" she announced
happily Il waited on purpose so
we could go together today. YOU
you got your check, of course?"
eyes, I've got it,
The girl was bustling about the
Norma took pride in
her housekeeping and the quarters
were so crowded that if a single
chair we're misplaced, a drawer left
open or the slightest detail out of
order, the scene became topsy-turvy
She brought her coat and Mark
held it for her. The small hat was
jammed down over her curls. All
the way downstairs and as they
walked the two blocks to the grocery
and meat market, Norma talked
After the hours of waiting, it was
comforting to have Mark beside her.
His silence escaped her attention.
II II n
THEY bought generously-pota-
Il toes, canned goods, butter, a
loaf of bread, eggs, fresh vegetables
and fruit. There was small roast
for dinner next day, cream and
from which Norma
would concoct a delicious dessert.
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 advantages of
quantity buying as they retraced
their steps. She believed emphati-
cally that foods should be selected
and not ordered by tele-
phone.
Not until they were back in the
apartment did it occur to her as
strange that Mark was talking so
little. 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 it and tried to
keep it back at last the story came
out.
They had finished the evening
meal. Norma was removing dishes
from the table and Mark was bar
behind a newspaper. Sud-
denly he threw down the scattered
sheets.
Let's get out Of here-go some
where!" he exclaimed.
Call right. AS soon as I have
these dishes done. Where do you
want to go?"
"Anywhere! Want to get out of
this place, that's all. Here-T'll wipe
those for YOU"
She provided him with a fresh
tea towel and the dishwashing be-
gan. A small task. Their entire
supply of dishes would not fill
shelf in the built-in cupboard over
the sink.
Before Mark had dried the last
plate, his mood changed again.
Something was wrong! Something
that was serious had happened,
= Il
put hand on his Shout
IN der. please, Mark" she
begged, you're worried about some
thing! I 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 branded in the
burning brown eyes. Mark started
to deny, shifted his gaze and blurt-
ed out, I'm not going back to
Harris. 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. Asked me to go to lunch