The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-09-26

| You ought to take betetr care of yourself" His seo1ding was like an endearment.
 I'm all right, Mark. I--every- things ali right now"
 Presently the light were glow ing and Mark leaned back in a deep chair smoking as he watched Norma brush out her tangled, taf- fy.colored curls. She had obeyed all of his instructions. A warm shower and strenuous rub. Now she was wrapped in Marks fan nel robe instead of her neg1igee. On her tiny feet were gold san- dals.
 Mark blew a wraith-like -spiral ] of smoke and removed the cigaret from his lips.
 Remember that duck we ran into when we came in?" he asked. Stone. I introduced him" Norma did not turn. The icy fingers were clutching her heart again.
 "Yes." She managed to get out the monosyllable steadily.
 "I was surprised to see him turn up here" Mark continued. He's a dumb bunny-sort of g. relative in a. way. Distant cousin. Doesn't go in for golf or tennis or any of those things. don't think he has much money. Why do you suppose a guy like that would want to come to Blue Springs"
 'ewhy-I don't know"
 "well, hope he isn't going to make a nuisance of himself. If he does we'll duck that's all"
 The girl sank to a low chair. She did not speak for several moments. Then in a slow voice she said Mark, couldn't we have dinner served up here tonight? I'd like that better than going to the din- ing room" , Want me to ring now for the menu?" It was a pleasant, companionable meal without the formality of walters lowering watchfully in the background. Creamed chicken foI Norma with salad and fresh fruit A thick steak for Mark accom- panied by vegetables and a hearty dessert. Coffee afterward.. While they drank the fragrant beverage Norma sat on a low stool at Marks feet.
 Happy, kid?"
 l She was, she assured hiu. But not 50 happy as she had been De- fore the advent of Hollis Stone Not so happy as when this para. disc about her had seemed to drif' on endlessly. Tonight there were doubts, spasmodic moments Of ter TOT and black rest1essness. All the next day she did not set Stone and neither she nor Marx mentioned him. Blue Springs wa. in docile mood after the storm Tne young Travers' took a Ions motor drive, lunched at a waysidt eating place and returned to ths inn 10 watch a tennis match. A pretty English girl and her long iimbed partner won the doubles cun from a group of contenders.
 1t was the following afternoon that the lure of a perfect goli
 course became too strong fol Mark. He left his bride to join foursome, promising not to De soh' long. . ao
 Proudly Norma urged him to go She declared she would welcom' the time alone. She didn't mean word of 1t. Her heart beat Tn ac celerated tempo and a ugnt kno gathered in her throat as she saW him depart. She longed to cry ou and beg him to stay with her bu common sense routed the Impulse
 Alone she considered how to oc cupy the dreary afternoon. Snouie she walk. visit the shops, go t' Pierre's for a shampoo? None O these things appealed. She decided to read and started for the maga
 Norma turned a corner. Coo yrav eyes met hers 1evelly. A man :! Voice. suave and low-pltcneo drawied, Good afternoon MT Travers."
 Good afternoon"
 Hollis stone faced her squareiy ua stood in the center of her paon aE,ine day we're having" he sug gested. The tone was formal. NO Sv the flicker of an eyelash wa tbere evidence of anything but I'm
 nersonal greeting in the way III
 
 spoke. .,x.,, aav
 Nervously Norma twisted m
 strap of the tiny purse she carried If fell to the ground. Tne clasl onened. spilling coins and vanit'
 case. ara ;t
 Stone rescued the purse ana u contents She thanked him in con
 fvsion. Decent courtesy demande' that she should finger and ex
 change A few words. When at las she was able to escape the girl na' forcotten her quest of magazine
 and hurried to her rooms. 50 muci
 to try to puzzle out: .S She pressed her hands togetne feverishly until they hurt. Wha
 was Stone waiting for? what wa
 behind his silence? How lon could she count on It! over an over she asked herself these ques tions. ., It was late when Mark arrived He burst into the room, 5upiian and noisily enthusiastic. It ha' been a great afternoon. He na shot S4 and none of the others ha done so we'll. They were deter mined to take him on again in tn morning. Going to be out early! There was much more about tn game of golf. It was a long whii before Mark even thought to m ouire how Norma had spent tn afternoon, whether she had had pleasant time.
 Piayfully she evaded in her an swers. If he had not even misse her during these hours of separa tion she would not confess she ha been lonely. When they were read to go down to dinner Norma wa | I A ~.~. Ia aaly aau Aha fvnQi0taine