The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-09-02
CIUHLT . LIPS
bU Aida D1ONHAAM Author OF MAD MARRIAGE
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1NOONWVAN
and breathless, at last Mark
claimed undisputed victory.
At last he placed a long kiss
squarely on the girls lips.
Norma lay back and looked ct
him from beneath the dark fringes
of her lashes.
Look at your tie now" she sug-
gested demurely.
1t was worse-oh, so very much
worse than it had been! Travers
grimaced in mock dismay. He shook
his head.
so this Is married life! Terrible
-terrible!"
A little beyond reach stood the
breakfast table. 1t had been aban-
doned some time since and was lit
tered with crumpled napkins and
soiled dishes. There were pink
roses in a silver vase in the center
Of this disarray.
Norma drew herself away. "It
really is terrible!" she agreed.
Goodness, it must be-why, look!-
nearly II o'clock!
"Oh, Mark, think of all the things
we should be doing! They won't
have any idea at the Office what's
become of me. Mr.. Brooks will be
furious"
Let EN- worry. You're never 60
ing back there again."
But, Mark, don't you think"
A KNOCK at the door interrupt
L n ed. 1t was the waiter who had
come to take away the breakfast
table. AS he was leaving Mark took
out his wallet and stuffed a bill into
the mans hand. The waiter bowed,
murmured thanks and departed.
Mark did not replace the wallet.
Instead he opened it again, drew
out collection of coins and green
backs and looked at them. A rue
full smile spread over his face. He
scratched his chin meditatively.
There was exactly 500 in that
wallet yesterday" he announced.
"Ninety-six dollars" Suddenly the
bright grin returned.
'Madame!" he declared with dra-
matte eloquence, with all my world
ly goods I thee endow! Thirteen
dollars and As centsl Count 'em.
Thirteen dollars!" He flung the
contents of the purse into the girls
lap.
He was laughing and Norma
laughed, too. This was evidently a
joke. She gathered the money to-
gether.
But you don't really mean It'll"
she protested. "Not-$96! You
couldn't have spent all that in one
day Why, it's more than three
weeks, salary"
Mark reversed the wallet, held it
up, shaking it. Must have spent
it," he said. "It was here! You
know" he went on, frowning as
though in deep thought, that's the
queerest thing about money.
"I've thought of it before. Amaz-
ing thing! One moment you have
it and the next it's gone. Have
you ever noticed it?"
''Have I noticed it? Not oftener
than every third day after pay day
for the last three years! Ever since
I've been working"
II Il
TRAvERS was not listening.
i With resolution he suddenly
made for the coat draped on a chair
across the room, thrust his arms
into the sleeves and jerked lapel
into place. In a flash he had be-
come buSinesslike.
The girl jumped to her feet.
Where are you going?" she
asked.
Mark came to her and put a hand
on each Of her shoulders. He
smiled carelessly. Promise to miss
me horribly" he demanded. prom
Use every minute I'm away will seem
an hour! Will you do that?"
ooh, but I don't want to be alone
here, Mark! Can't come, too?"
Apparently this was not to be
thought of. It was absolutely es-
sential for Mark Travers to depart
alone. But he would not be gone
long.
There was business to attend to
and as soon as it had been settled
he would come hurrying back. Nor
mas chagrin at this turn of events
did not seem to diSplease young
TraverS.
She tried once more to. speak of
the office, where she had been due
at $50. Mark Scoffed.
You're to stay here" he insisted.
Right here in this room! And
honestly won't be long. Why
darling, don't you realize this is
the first day of our honeymoon?
Don't think about jobs and Of
fees. All that is past for you. You