Evening star., 1932-09-04

LcI anu UeIOIG SIZE COulO prevent IT, ne was
covering her face with kisses But not for long.
stinging slap made him drop her quickly.
You-you-" she painted, backing away from
him. Il hate yer!" and she choked
He rubbed the red spot on his cheek rue
fully. but he laughed.
Gosh, what a little spitfre! Guess after
that there's no use for a body to suggest stay
ing for supper"
She shook her head, her eyes nervously on
the clock
"Oh, all right" he said "I know what you're
thinking. But believe me, you made a bad
bargain when you hitched up with that hus-
band of yours. Too mean to buy you a radio.
GOSH"
She went to the door and opened it mean
ingly!
All right" he repeated, moving toward it.
mo ofense meant and none taken. But re-
member. Only SIS down and the rest in easy
payments. The sweetest little set" The
roar OF the drowned the rest of the speech
CHE closed the door firmly and, tearing off
the beads, flung them into the stove. Then
she went to the basin in her bedroom and fill
ing it with cold water, scrubbed her face until
1t hurt. She felt unclean, somehow, and
ashamed. She would never let him in the
house again
When Ed Vanderberg came home an hour
later she was bending over the fire the baby
who was fretful, tucked under one arm
"Lo!" she called without looking around
There was an ominous silence. Ed was a
man Of few words but now, sensing something
wrong, reluctantly she faced him. He stood
staring at her, his arms folded. She laid the
baby down in the rocking chair
Yer gentleman friends left" he said and
his voice was like a lash
L don't know what yer mean," she stam-
mered
"Oh, yes)yer dol" and he came up to her and
thrust his face close to hers. Think didn't
see him rattlin up the hills ter see yer rigged
up fit ter kill And after what I said! What
dyer lie ter me fer?"
An what eff did hev him here!" she blazed
Il couldn't shet the door in his face, could ~"
Couldn't yer!'' he jeered well, the next
time, yer jest try it. I won't hev him here an
thet's hat!'
Her back was turned toward him She was
smoothing the tablecloth, though there was
no crease in it to smooth. Laying his hands
on her shoulders, he pulled her around so
roughly that she cried out.
Cant yer even answer mel" he shouted the
veins standing out on his forehead. "Ef'n
thet skunk comes here agin, I'll take gun
ter him"
You hurt!' she said, pulling away from the
clutch of his hands.
soft on him. are yer!" He laughed grimly
eyer fine gentleman friend. Fancy dressed
like lady!"
Ed Van:erberg you hush! He is a gentle
mani" she cried, goaded into defending the
salesman in spite of herself.
"Oh, he is, is he! Then eff he is, I'm glad
- I'm" He paused for lack of the proper
word
Go on!" she screamed Say it! You're
lout, same I am an every one here!"
His face turned purple.
Where'd yer hear thet9 Did Johnson tell IL
ter yer?"
She nodded
He said Renner a lout an guess he
meant we all were
Ed said nothing, but he picked up his cap.
Something in his quietness frightened her more
than if he had shouted at her
Where yer goin?" she asked
I'm goin' ter yer loyer!" He spat out
the word AN when I finish with him, yern
need mop ter sweep him up with"
She darted in front of him, getting between
him and the door
Yer not!' she cried alarmed at the storm
she had stirred up. Ed you stop bein SO
foolish"
Foolish am -" he sneered. We'll mebbe
am, ter let my wife carry like you are. Let
me pass!"
She spread her arms out across the door
mo! An hate yer fer sayin' thet word.
He's nothin' ter me. He's-hes-" Her voice
broke
We'll what is he? Ed deman nded
Hes only some one comm in ter break the
lonesomeneSS!"
He stared at her disgust written on his face
Then he flung his cap down violently
'Lonesomeness" he said. Then shame on
yer, and you a married womanl" and picking
up the baby from the rocking chair he carried
him into the bedroom
| Err arms dropped to her sides. She felt
fierce hatred against Ed Johnson-every
They were ell allied against her to make
her miserable and one understood her