The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-28

high-pitched, tormented tones Nor
ma cried, But I can't marry himl
Don't you see, Christi can'tl"
The rest was lost in a renewed
siege Of weeping.
Chris let her finish with it. She
stroked the shining golden head.
patted Norma's shoulders with
soothing little pats. There, there!"
she murmured consolingly. Things
are going to be all right, honey.
There, therel''
GRADUALLY the torrent sub
NJ sided Norma sat up and Chris
supplied the handkerchief with
which to dry her eyes.
The lovely face was swollen and
tear-marked. With determined
effort Norma managed to control
her voice.
ooh, Christi she whispered, II do
love him sol II didn't have any
idea it was going to end this way.
It's going to be so hard to let him
go! You'd understand if you'd ever
been in Lowell"
If she'd ever been in Lowell The
words struck on Chris Saunders
ears with curious impact.
IF you care>~for him so much,
you're not going to give him up"
Chris declared firmly.
But I must! I couldn't-couldn't
marry him without telling"
The older girl stopped her. Look
at me, Norma Kent" she said crisp
ly. 81 don't know anything about
this man you think you're in love
with. All right then-this man
you're sure is the right one for you.
"You haven't known him very
long yourself, have you? Less than
two weeks. That's a pretty short
time in which to decide something
that's going to affect your whole
life, but I'm not going to try to in
'fuence you one way or another.
There's one thing / do know,
though and you've got to listen to
me! Norma, there isn't a man liv-
ing who's too good for you. Not
one!"
"But, Chris, how could I tell"
There's isn't anything you need
to tellp Chris went on emphati-
cally. whats happened is over.
The only way to erase-well, things
that should never have happened
is to forget about them. And you
can't forget if you're going to per-
secute yourself"
Norma's two hands clasped the
edge of the davenport. Her blue
eyes searched the other girls hun
grily.
do you-really believe that?" she
whispered.
with all my heart and soull
Every ones made mistakes, Norma.
You and me and every one else. 1t
isn't what's behind but what's
ahead that counts
ooh, If I only could believe It'll"
There was wistful pathos in the
younger girls voice. Suddenly she
caught Chris hand. you're such
friend!" Norma went on. you've
always been such a friend!"
The dark-haired girl shrugged
mo more than any one elSe," she
said brusquely. Then her mood
softened. Getting married'S mighty
serious business" she added. ''How
much do you know about this boy?
"You said he works for a real
estate firm, but where'd he come
from? Do you think you could live
on his salary?"
Norma leaned her head back
against a pillow. She was smiling
dreamily. 81 know all that I want
to know" she said softly. II know
that I love him and that he loves
me. What else is there that mat
ters?"
She was looking across the room
at cheap, framed reproduction of
Corot landscape, but the girl was
not really aware of the picture.
Chris eyed her for moment.
Presently she arose and diSap-
peared into the alcove. When she
peappeared she wore pajamas and a
lounging robe.
Listen, Norma" Chris cautioned.
st said I wouldn't try to influence
you in this thing and I'm not going
to. But don't you think you should
take little time before making up
your mind?"
"You mean about getting
married?"
= 4 4
CHRIS nodded. Here's what ]
~ was going to suggest" she
continued. IF you're going to en-