The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-07


 It was as much as the mother could say coherently. Mark" she repeated a moment later. She chung to his arms, pressing her cheek against his shoulder. The woman's eyes were shut but there were tears on her face.
 i've missed you sol" she mur- mured after few moments. "It's been long while, Mark"
 "I know. I hated not bringing Norma home to see you, Nom, but I guess you know why l couldn't"
 T know!'' Mrs Travers was still clinging to her son. Apparently Norma might as we'll have been a thousand miles away. This husky youth-her baby son-was all the woman could think of. She was weeping but they were tears of gladness.
 See. here, Nom, you don't want to take on like this!" Mark pulled a huge square of linen from his pocket. With an effort at tender ness he wiped the tear drops from her cheeks. No more of that! I'll think you didn't really want to see me. I'll think you're sorry you came. o. K. now? Going to be- have ?"
 There was teasing fondness in the tone. Mrs Travers responded like a dropping plant of sunshine.
 "Of course I'm all right" She drew away. scrutinizing the young man. "Only it's so good to see you, dear! You're little thinner, aren't you? Are you sure you're feeling well?" She put the ques- tion anxiously.
 Sure! Never better in my life!"
 The scene had given Norma time to study her Jaws ap- pearance. Norma felt she might have seen Mrs Travers anywhere and never have dreamed that this was Marks mother. Not a feature of the woman's face resem bled her sons. On the other hand it would have been impossible to doubt that the visitor was of the ruling order in Marlboro society. In the clear light of the living room Norma noted the fine quality of the mink wrap, the countenance that was autocratic even in such a tender mood, the real lace, faintly ivory, showing at the opening of her coat. These were details that shrieked wealth and precedence.
 Well, Mom," Mark was saying now. q guess you ran into Norma out in the hall. No use to intro- duce you two. Great girl, isn't she, mother? And Norma knows what a brick you are. We'll, say it's good to see you here. Stay for dinner with us, won't you?'
 The words fell on Norma's ears with perplexing sense of unreal ity. Mark was talking as though nothing had happened that after noon. He was talking as though he and she hadn't come to the end of their life together. As though everything weren't over!
 ''I can't stay, dear" It was Mrs Travers who was speaking. I'd love to. There's nothing I'd like better but you'll understand why I can't. It's something else I've come to talk about, Mark-something I hope will make us all so much happier!"
 Lucky for Norma they excluded her from the conversation. Her glance went from Mark to his mother. She had brought Mrs Travers into the apartment because it was the only conceivable thing to do. Now Norma found herself acting lie. She ought to have spoken up-told Marks mother she could take her son home again that Norma herself would never again come between Mark and his family. Somehow she couldn't do 1t no matter how much she knew she should.
 These thoughts raced through the girls mind as she heard the others talking. Evidently his moth CTS words had startled Mark. He looked up quickly.
 "Just-what was it you come to talk about?" he asked.
 But you must know, dear. It's about your father-!"
 Did he tell you to come? Does he know you're here now?"
 Mrs Travers shook her head. "He doesn't know" she admitted. Not yet. But these weeks have been hard on your father, Mark. He misses you as much as I do."
 Marks chin lifted. T guess you know why I haven't come home!" he said. "I guess you know it was dad who started-!"
 His mother interrupted. "Please, darling" she began putting hand on Marks arm. "Of course I know about that. Let's not talk about it. want you to forget all those un- pleasant things. It's all over now. You can come back and everything will be just as 1t was before you left"
 "You mean fathers willing? You