Evening star., 1932-11-19
CHAPTER 27.
THE CATASTROPHE.

1HE CAl 40 i 1FtOElE-
- HE'D been right. 1t had been fun
to return to the old apartment
and make a bed late at night,
~ laughing like a pair OF children,
1t was even more fun TO wake In
the morning and quarrel over VINO
should cook the breakfast-then to dis
cover that there was nothing IN the Ice
box
Lets go cuckoo" she suggested.
So they dressed and sailed forth into
sun-washed streets, which were almost
empty.
Santa solved the riddle Of their empti-
ness.
They strolled in the park and
watched the riders Visited the Metro
politan Museum. Hired boat on the
ornamental lake. Went to moving
picture in the evening. On the walk
home Santa jerked his arm.
How much has it cost"
Less than five dollars. Why?"
I'VE never needed to have gone
abroad to be happy, Give. We can oe
happy anywhere"
Next morning, being Monday, In q
mood of forced cheerfulness he set Oh
| to- report to Mr.. Cleasby. Santa was
I contrary to reason, that because she was
his wife no evil could befall him.
At parting he had asked, What's
your program"
"Tli invent one" she had replied,
vaguely.
When he admitted himself to the
apartment that evening, how she had
! occupied herself was obvious. Rugs had
/ been laid, photograph frames, lamps
and bric-a-brac were in their accus-
! toned places. In the narrow hall ne
paused. The smell of cooking. Voices.
/ She had engaged a maid. Her persist
ency was daunting.
you're late, darling" Santa well
coined him. Barely time to change;
In the bed room he found further
proofs of her devotion. Her efflclency
astounded him. His clothes had been
spread out with the expertness OF q
valet: shoes in the right place, socks
beside them, shirt studded, tub filled
and scented with bath salts; everything
orderly, nothing forgotten.
THE return of the Wage-earner! he
froWned at himself in the mirror.
I Her pretense that he was master oil
the establishment was maddening. This
was her first step toward making the
spartment agail habit. In each and
all of these attentions he discerned
strategy. Shed stolen march on hlm
BY subtle batteries she was attempting
| to purchase his compliance. Having
pledged herself to consult him, she
barged ahead a, though he didn't fgure
in the picture.
A doubt crossed his mind. Was he
being fair? Possibly this was her mis-
taken idea of sheltering him.
;r,,l1 eak Au he
pushed in her chair, she smiled up at
| him beWitchingly,
1--WE ordered everything you like"
She was expecting him to remark on
the transformation she had wrought.
Everything I like! For instanceY
Caviar, mushroom soup, squad, en-
dive salad. hot-house grapes.
Been blowing yourself. And orchids
by gosh!" ~ ..,. -
own hou6ekeeper went to my head.
While the strange maid hovered. con-
versation had to be general. With the
postponement of their problems. po-
lite estrangement grew between them
They laughed and chatted like chance
acquaintances.
When coffee had been served and they
were alone there was pause.
How did things go?" she inquired.
Cant talk here
In the drawing room, snug VIII
shaded lamps and spacious with oblong'
of star-flled sky, having arranged ner,
self dccorstively on the couch' sn'
awaited him.
Have a cigarette?" he approached
her. - !. e.. mo
Thanks, old man. Light 1t tor me
Didn't things go well?
"Rottenly. The firms bust. dldn
see Cleasby. He's enjoying a nervous
breakdown. The office Is being man
aged by receiver"
Then, how did you spend the oay
"Wandering. l was ashamed
She blew a puff of smoke.
Darling. you are an ass.
"you've said it," He started pacing