The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-12-28
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER xxx

Paula's bridge party had in- creased to three tables by the time Scott arrived. The big living room looked cheerful and inviting in comparison to the lonely room he had just left.
 Paula's apartment was attractive in a gay and colorful way. It was like Paula herself, vivid and insiS- tent. Strips of lavender and green gauge hung at the windows. There were deeper purple velvet hang ings, pillows of green and lavender and gold. Bowls of dogwood blos- sons made one forget that 1t was a rainy, dreary April night out side.
 There was a great deal of cheer full chatter. And Scott, who had forgotten his resentful, deserted husband feeling of a short while before, created a mild uproar when he related his story - with humor- ous embellishments-about his own state of mind when he learned Dana was not sitting disconsolately at home, but having swell time without him.
 Drinks were served. Scott thought that Paula was drinking too much. Perhaps that was the reason her bridge game was going so badly. She appeared to be play ing mechanically, lost in a vague sort of haze. Scott tried to warn her tactfully, "You'l be calling me tomorrow to prescribe for 8 real headache, Paula"
 "What do you mean tomorrow" Sam Winchester said, smiling. 'It's 3 a. m. now"
 9''It's not possible!" Scott ex- claimed. Sorry to break up the game. but my wife's at home alone"
 ~If she was at the Richardsons, you can count on beating her home, at that" Sam said. Lots of times their guests stay for breakfast"
 Please don't go until we finish this rubber" Paula put in.
 It was a long drawn-out rubber, but it ended finally. Then the living room was quickly deserted. Scott and the Winchesters were last to leave. AS they were enter ing the elevator, Paula called, "Just a moment, Scott!"
 He went back to her door, with an impatient look toward the ele- vator as it shot downward. And he resigned himself to 8 f1ve-min- ute interlude with Paula. She looked queer, excited.
 Whats on your mind?" Scott asked.
 For answer, Paula caught his hand, and drew him inside the room.
 Since he had left the apartment, five minutes earlier, all the lights except few shaded wall lamps had been turned off. The room was bathed in a soft glow. Paula was standing close to Scott. Suddenly she put her arms around his neck, pulled his head down toward her face, his lips toward hers.
 Scott loosened her arms quickly. s'Paula, you've been drinking too much, and don't know what you're doing" he said.
 T do know!" she cried wildly. "Oh, Scott, don't leave me now. Stay, stayl"
 Scott's voice was cold and stern. "Go to bed. Paula, and sleep it off" He opened the door and stepped into the hall. Her deep sobs were following him. Not waiting for the elevator, he ran down the steps. He couldn't get out into the clean, bracing air soon enough.
 Dana had come home from the dinner at 12. And now it was 3.
 She had stretched a tentative hand toward the other pillow sev- eral times during the night. She had turned on the light as often. But Scott was simply not here be- side her. He hadn't come in quiet Iy and crawled into bed without disturbing her. Could there have been an accident? No! she couldn't bear such a dreadful thought. Scott drove rapidly lots of times, but he was always careful. May be there had been a blowout. Or perhaps the medical meeting had broken up so late that Scott had decided to stay overnight.
 But surely, in that case, he would have telephoned. Dana