The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-09-17
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NORMA KENT, pretty 2O-year- old secretary in a law office, meets MARK TRAvERS, attrac- tive and wealthy, when together they rescue a frightened puppy from the midst of downtown traffic. Norma refuses to tell the young man her name or where he can see her again. Later she joins BOB FARRELL, young lawyer, for a dinner engagement. Farrell asks her to marry him and Norma for the third time says "no''.
 The scene of the story is Mar1- boro, middle-western metropolis. Norma takes the puppy to- the shabby apartment she shares with CHRISTINE SAUNDERS. Norma fears Chris is falling in love with her married employer, BRADLEY HART, proprietor of an advertis- ing agency. Next day Norma in- setrs an advertisement about the puppy in the lost and found col- umn of the Marlboro Press. The first person to answer the adyer. tisement is Mark Travers, who ex- plains he has made every effort to learn Norma's identity. He tries to make a date but she declines his invitations. Travers departs. Later he telephones NATALIE PRICE, debutante and goes with her to gay party concluding with a round of the night clubs.
 Next evening small boy comes to see Norma, claims the puppy and takes it home. Chris goes to aid MINNIE BAKER, an impover- fshed friend whose 2-year old son has been badly burned. Norma receives telephone calls from Trayers and ignores them. She will not admit to herself the in- terest she feels in this persistent young man.
 Norma goes for a drive with Bob Farrell. He kisses her against her will, starts the car and begins driving furiously. Norma cries, "Where are you going?"
 NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 CHAPTER VIII
 Farrell did not turn to look at the girl. His hat brim was snapped down squarely and in the. darkness she could not see his face. The coupe's speed increased and some thing in the road sent them jolting from their seats before he an- swered.
 "I'm taking you home!" he said firmly. Norma had never heard him use that tone. Bob Farrell had kissed her before but never as tonight. Wait a minute" he went on immediately. Before you start telling me what you think of me there's a little piece isr1nf ha mt od to hear. Didn't mean to spring it so soon but I might as well. I'm pulling out of Marlboro"
 Norma forgot that she was in- dignant. She could not conceal her amazement.
 You don't mean you're going away!"
 '"That's exactly what I do mean"
 But, Bob! Where are you goiag? Whats happened?"
 'Nothing's happened. I'm going away, that's all.'
 She did not know what to say. After a few moments she said, You haven't told me where you're going yet" .,
 "No." "Bob Farrell, what in the worlds the matter with you to- night? First you act like a crazy man. Then you say you're going away and get mysterious about 1t. Why don't you tell me where you're going and for how long?"
 "Ill tell you," Bob promised. They had been driving along a sequestered road, a shortcut back toward a highway leading into the center of the city. "I'll tell you before I leave" he repeated, but it's going to be for quite a while. You see I'm not coming back"
 Do you mean you're giving up your job? oh, Bob. you're not you're not leaving because"
 Well, no. I'm not fired If that's what you mean" he inter- rupted, correctly interpreting the girls thought. It isn't anything like that. I just think 1t will be a good thing to get out of Marl- boro. that's all. Tired of the place!"
 But you've been doing so well. Bob!'
 "Can't see it that way"
 
 There was little more converse ton between them until they halted before the red brick apart ment. As Farrell brought the coupe to a stop the girl sought his eyes.
 "Bob," she said quietly, "do you really mean that you're-go- ing away?"
 Solemnly he nodded.
 ''I'm sorry Rob-"
 "You mean you don't want me to leave?"
 ''Of course don't. We've been such good friends. I'll miss you dreadfully."
 The young man darted swift, appraising glance at her. What ever he may have had in mind to say was checked. There was a pause. Then he answered care lessly. Well. the deal isn't quite worked out yet. I'll give you a ring one of these days be- fore I clear out. We'll-we'n sort of celebrate the occasion"
 Norma felt that he was keep ing something from her. She was dissatisfied with the way the even- ing had turned out and very soon told him good night.
 Maybe he isn't going away at all," she said to herself little later after she had turned the lock for the night. undressed and stood before the mirror brushing out her hair the nightly 50 strokes on either side. Maybe he's just trying to get me to beg him to stay!"
 When she let herself out of the apartment next morning. there was nothing whatever to indicate that the hours before her were to constitute a red-letetr day.
 The street car which transport ed her to Broad and Hanover streets was as crowded as usual. The hours of dictation and tram scribing MT Cunningham's letters