The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-09-16
CIUHLT Vol Lips
bu Aida DDONHAAN Author OF MAD MARRIAGE
DNOOTNVV~ON

window if you feel that way about
it. Here"
LIE caught up the silver box, and
L 4 would surely have hurled it to
the street below If Norma had not
stopped him.
She clasped one end Of the box.
you can't do that!" she declared.
Are you crazy? oh, just when I
thought everything was going to be
all right, this has to happenl"
Let go of that" Mark was wrest-
ling the paper container from her.
'I'll get rid of these flowers, tell
you. You'd better let gol"
1t was warning. With superior
strength, he snatched the box from
the girl. In doing so he twisted
her wrist, hurting it.
Tears came into Norma's eyes.
"Oh" she cried, you've hurt me!
Oh, Mark"
His remorse was instant. For a
moment Travers L.ood watching
her. Then he threw the flowers to
the floor. "Say," he said, will you
please tell me what the hell all this
is about anyhow? I didn't mean
to hurt your wrist. I'm sorry. Now
what in Gods name is the matter
anyhow"
Norma sank into a low chair. She
held her injured arm, rubbing it to
ease. the pain. Instead of answer
ing she turned her face away, began
to weep silently.
Travers stood it as long as he
could. Listen" he said, Il told you
1 didn't mean to hurt you. I said
I'm sorry, didn't I? Well-what
else can I do?"
"You-You don't have to do any,
thing!"
"Then what are you SO sore
about?"
t.
TINE girls words came between
4 sobs. Tim not sore. I didn't
ever think you'd strike me
though"
II didn't strike you and you know
It'll All did was merely take hold
Of your arm. If you want to call
that striking, go ahead"
She heard his footsteps, heavier
than usual, moving toward the
kitchen. Norma didn't want to be
left alone. She got to her feet and
followed.
What do you want?" she asked,
leaning against the side of the door.
"Well, I was thinking of drink
ing a glass of water. Any objec-
tions?"
He drew the water from the tap,
filled tumbler and raised it to his
lips. Norma hesitated, then said:
Listen, Mark, you must have
known it was terribly foolish to
spend money on flowers when
there's the rent to pay next week.
Those roses cost at least $40. We
won't have cent now!
Il thought we could manage to
pay SIS each week instead of the
$50 all at once. Mrs. Tracey said
they pay their rent that way so I
know it's all right. But now the
gone!
well have to move. They won't
let us stay here and how can we
get another place."
TTOT tears blurred everything be-
4 Il fore her. A great, round tear
drop fell halfway down the girls
cheek and fingered there. Mark set
down the tumbler. His face was a
shade paler.
GOSH" he said almost to him
self, Il did forget the rent. But
they can't put us out. I'll-I'll do
something"
He returned to the living room.
Hands in pockets, he strobe to the
window and back again. The ele-
CANT box from the foris 5 shop,
now battered and its contents a
scattered heap lay on the floor.
Norma stopped to pick up the
roses. She carried them to the
kitchen. There was no vase and
no other receptacle in the apart
ment tall enough to hold these
stately stems.
Mark saw her arranging the flow
ers. why don't you toss 'em out
like I wanted to?" he asked. "You
certainly don't want the things
around here!"
why not?"
why not? My Lord, you ask me
why not?' when you practically
threw a fit the minute you saw
them. Why not? Say-I guess it's
a good laugh at that!
why should you want anything
to remind you of the day you mar
ried me? I guess you'd like to for
get it, wouldn't you?"
you know it isn't that, Mark!
You know it didn't have anything
to do with the anniver~~~v. It's be-
cause we've got to find some way to
get the rent paid"
"Surel Go ahead and tell me
just what kind of a poor sap am!
Can't even earn enough to keep a
roof over your head, can I?
Eight hours day, walking
around in that crazy house telling
fat old women where to buy under
shirts! And what do I get for it.
Thirty-five bucks a week.
That's the kind of a dub you
married, Mrs. Travers! You'd be
better off if you'd never seen ne.
wouldn't your"
~
NTORMA'S anger was bristling
IN dangerously.
"At least I earned my own liv-
i71cyfv che rnforfod ttT mold INV dohfc