The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-09-22
Now Go ON WITH THE STORY

Marx. with no suspicion OF trickery. is
Now co ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE Con
tinued)
But you know it's against com
pany rules. And dad isn't willing tt
make the slightest exception fol
me. That's all right; don't wan
him to.
I'm going into this thing, Norma
to show him I'm not the dub HI
thought 1 was. 1 tell you it's greai
chancel Why, look, he's going to be-
gin paying me SIS a week right
away
Where could I ever hope to gel
at the kind of thing I've been do
ing? Blossomdale'sl Why, you'c
be living in a dump like this the
rest of your life!"
LIS sweeping gesture expressed
Il L. disgust at everything about
them. The apartment was in a
rather miserable state. The living
room, suddenly transformed into
dressing quarters, was Uttered with
Marks discarded clothing, stray
towels and toilet articles.
Drawers Of the commode that
during daytime hours was masked
by dignified covering were pulled
out and garments overflowed from
one Of them.
Norma's little black mules occu-
pied the center of a chair. A closet
door had been left open, revealing
clothing on hangers and the bath
room, also visible, was in disorder.
This was what always happened
when Mark dressed for state oc-
casion. The limited space in the
apartment made it worse.
ST don't want anything but to be
sure you'll come back to me, Mark!
We've been-happy here!"
Suddenly the young man caught
her up beside him. "Of course I'll
come back, darlingl Nothing in
the world could keep me away from
you. Of course I'll come back!
ooh, if I could only be SURE"
But will! AS If anything could
keep me away! Why, Norma,
there's a tear-w ecan't have any
thing like that. We-Good Lord,
who's that?
The bell frfom the entrance OF
the building rang a second time,
louder than the first.
"I'll see," Norma said quickly
and went to answer. A moment
later she turned. TITS your ia
theirs chauffeur" she said. Hes
downstairs waiting for us"
"Oh-Harvey! Might have known
mother'd send him. Well, that's
ten minutes saved. Harvey'n get us
there quicker than any taxi"
ATEITHER spoke for the next few
IN moments. Norma helped Mark
locate hat and gloves, transfer his
keys to the right pocket and at the
last minute grab a handkerchief.
She slipped the short velvet wrap
about her shoulders.
Ready" she asked.
eyes, I'm ready. Come on-let's
go!"
When they were settled in the
luxurious motor car, Norma found
Marks hand. "I'll feel better about
things" she whispered, latter to-
night"
"You mean-talking it over with
Mother and Dad?"
The girl nodded,
Sure you will" Mark agreed.
You're going to like them, Norma.
Theyre-well, Dads lot different
than you think he is. And you
know Mother likes you"
81 hope sol"
"Of course she does! And so will
Dad. Now just get it into your
head that everything's going to be
all right. Tonight's a celebration!
Prodigal son, fatted calf and all
thatl You've got to be happy about
this, Mrs. Traversl"
Mark was elated, in his gayest
and most winning mood The girl
smiled.
"Ill try, Mr.. Travers."
'Idiotl" The word was an endear-
ment. Marks arm, which was about
her, frightened.
THE camouflage of false gaiety
a stood Norma in good stead
when three-quarters of an hour
later she looked across the heavy
lace, the crystal gobletS and candle
light of the Travers' dining table.
The room was very large, with
dark wood-paneled walls. Bro
caded curtains of rich coloring
hung almost from the high ceiling
to the floor
There was a spaciousnesS and
dignity about the Travers home I'M
like anything Norma had ever seen.
An expert and highly-paid deco
rators had collected the authetnic
Jacobean furnishings.
Mrs. Travers, in stately black, at
the head of the table, seemed an
entirely different person than when
Norma had seen her before, weep
ing in her sons arms.
Her husbands manner was for
NAL. Only Mark, directly opposite
from Norma, appeared to be
natural. Mark did most of the
talking.
Several times he tried rather I'M
successfully to draw Norma into the
conversation. There was about the
dinner an air OF persistent frig-
idity.
1t was relief when they arose
to have coffee in the living room. A
fire burned in the CRATE here. That
at least suggested warmth. Norma
settled in deep char gazing at the
flames.
Mrs. Travers, beside her, said:
Were going to be so happy to
have you here. my dearl"
Norma reused herself. Tim
sorry. I'm afraid I wasn't listen
ingl"
" said we're going to be so glad
to have you with us while Mark S
away. It's going to be splendid
thing for him. you know.
'T can tell you now what a terrible
A 40 81