The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-10-27
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''rhree more weeks then" Barne

said. That's when Miss Rodgers is
leaving. Be a good girl and get
strong and well by that time"
Pat grew strong and well, hap
piness, good food, rest and fresh
air working a complete cure. she
was thriving in her new environ
ment. She had gained back the
lost pounds. Her eyes were like
blue stars again and her voice had
lit.
The kids a glutton for work, "
Barney told Joan one day. Eats
it up. And she's efficient, too"
Il know" smiled Joan. "She was
always like that"
Just little steam engine" said
Barney, smiling indulgently. He
liked to see Pats enthusiasm over
things that had become common
place to him. 1t was pleasant to
watch Pat.
Pat thought the Jigsaw was the
most wonderful place in New York,
and Barney the most important
man in the whole metropolis. She
radiated pride and satisfaction in
her work.
Little idiot" said Barney one day
when he came in with the daily
roses which Pat insisted were quite
as necessary for the Office as the
night club. who ever heard Of a
pretty off1cel"
We'll, I stay in the Office" said
Pat. And like roses"
eff the roses are for you, Pat,
that's different" Barney said slow
ly. After that he would help her
arrange them. Sometimes his
clumsy brown fingers would touch
her slim, white ones.
once when this happened he
~ drew his hand away abruptly,
so abruptly that the vase tilted, and
only Pats quickneSs saved 1t from
turning over. She wiped the drops
Of water from her hand.
Clumsy" she said. Cant you
even put roses in vase? My, you'll
make a helpless husband"
Barney did not answer. He stalked
back to his desk, took his seat and
apparently became absorbed in the
business of reading his mail, ar
ranged in the neat stack in front of
him.
The glass-topped desk was shin
ing. The brass ash trays were kept
free Of ashes, rubbed to an extra
brightness.
Pats desk was equally neat. The
light with the green shade, which
she used when she worked late, was
at one side. A notebook lay open
on the other, an array of Sharpened
pencils ready.
SO you think I'll make a bum
husband" said Barney after mo-
ment.
Pat whirled around in her chair
to find Barney staring at her.
We'll, for goodness sakes!" she
exclaimed. Il didn't dream you
were so sensitive. Just a great
big" her voice trailed off help
lessly. There was something dis
turbing about Barney's gaze.
GO on"
Baby" Pat finished lameIy.
Yes, I know. Crying for the
moon" said Barney, and then
finding I don't" He didn't finish.
He was appalled, as he realized that
he had been about to say don't
want it."
A queer silence hung between
them. Pat began to type furiously,
the metallic click-click sounding
strange in the heavy stiffness.
After a moment Barney got his
hat and departed.
He spoke CURLY to Vance Mich
olas, a very rich, dull young man
who frequented the Jigsaw. Spoke
CURLY for no reason other than
that Vance had been hanging
around the Office lately with his
administration for Pat thinly dis
guised
When Barney heard from Joan
that night that Pat had a date
with Vance he found his Slight con-
tempt for the young man suddenly
replaced by active dislike.
He had feeling that he'd enjoy
nothing better than to take Vance
out some place and beat him round
ly. Because Vance was so dumb.
always getting in his way when
there was the whole of New York
to roam in, and daring to think
a girl like Pat would be interested
in him.
DUT Pat, suddenly, was appar-