The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-09-09
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! of the bed, frowned at the bright
sunlight that streamed over him.
Norma, in trim blue sport dress,
was busy at the desk across the
room.
pull that shade down, viii your"
Mark complained. Damn near
blinds fellowl Ouchl"
He had set his bare foot on a
sharp object and quickly withdrawn
1t. Norma hurried to lower the
window shade.
Here are your slippers" she said,
handing them to him. Il didn't
know you were awake"
"Well-maybe I'm notl Certainly
don't feel much like it." He
blinked his eyes, started to shake
his head and then grimaced pain
fully. ooh, what a sweet, sweet
headachel"
'I'n get you some coffee" Norma
suggested. "Or would you rather
have aspirin?"
"Nmind. Is there any bicarbon-
ate around here?" Mark was on his
feet nova rumpled, frowning, al
together unengaging figure.
Norman volunteered to go down.
stairs for the soda. She had not
yet reached the stage where word
over the telephone was the auto
matte answer to every problem.
Besides, bellboy would require
tip. Tips for such services were
not included in the neatly tabulated
row of figures over which Norma
had been studying for the last half
hour.
XXTHEN she returned Mark, vast
w ly improved by a cold shower
and shave, had nearly completed
dressing. She opened the box of
soda, measured out the dose for
him and brought glass of water.
He gulped it down.
browning family, Mark said, "I
seem to remember from last night
that the Travers finances are
rather less than low. Wiped out, as
it we're. Right?"
Lets not bother about that,
Mark, until you feel more like
yourself. You'll have some break
fast won't your"
what time is it?"
She told him it was quarter of
twelve. Maybe we'd better have
something sent up" the girl sug-
gested.
Mark should his head. II think
I'd like to get out of this place." he
said. Little air percolating
through this numb skull of mine
might do it some good. Suppose
we walk over to the coffee shop?"
The coffee shop was an inexpen-
sive restaurant a block and a half
down the street. 1t was open day
and night and the food was excel
lent. Norma agreed to the sugges-
ton and pulled on her hat.
you're certainly looking o. K.
this morning." Mark told her
little later when they were out on
the street. Never guess you we're
awake until the wee small hours!"
She frightened before his compli-
ments. What if she had tossed
sleeplessly long after Mark had
been deep in slumber? What if for
two hours that morning she had
been scheming and studying over
pencil and paper trying to find the
q ~
THEY entered the coffee shop
Il and found a table withdrawn
from its neighbors. Mark ordered
tomato juice, black coffee, eggs and
toast. Norma chose an omelet, rolls
and fruit When the waiter disap-
peared Mark looked across the table
at the girl.
WELL" he began, 'why don't you
say what you think of me? Tell
me I'm nine kinds of an idiot and
a good-for-nothing to boot"
But you're nothing of the sort!"
GO ahead and say it. I've got it
coming to me and I'd feel better
if you bawled me out"
There isn't anything to bawl you
out about. We went over all that
last night. Don't you remember?"
Say, with head like mine, Elm
stein wouldn't remember his own
theories. know this much, though"
he leaned forward and gave her
hand quick pressure-"I've got the
prettiest, gamest wife in the
world"
After the food was served and
they were drinking second cups of
coffee, the discussion of finances
began in earnest. From her purse
Norma produced the slip of paper