The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-12-23
NOW co 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 attrac-
tive in gay and colorful way. 1t
was like Paula herself, vivid and
insistent. Strips of lavender and
green gauze hung at the windows.
There were deeper purple velvet
hangings, pillows of green and
lavender and gold. Bowls of dog
wood blossoms made one forget
that it was rainy, dreary April
night outside.
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
humorous embellishments-about
his own state of mind when he
learned Dana was not sitting dis
consolately at home, but having a
swell time without him.
Drinks were served. Scott be-
lieved 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'll be calling
me tomorrow to prescribe for a
real headache, Paula"
"What do you mean tomor-
row." Sam Winchester said, smil-
ing. otis 2 a. m. now"
ats not possiblew Scott ex-
claimed. Sorry to break up the
game, but my wife's at home
alone"
"If she was at the Richardson's,
you can count on beating her
home, at that" Sam said. Lots
of times their guests stay for
breakfast"
"Please don't 20 until we fin
ish this rubber" Paula put in.
1t was 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 q moment. ScottW
He went back to her door, with
an impatient look toward the ele,,
vator as it shot downward. And
he resigned himself to a five-mln-
ute interlude with Paula. She
looked queer, excited. 49,, :,
"What's on your mind?" Scott
asked. ...."', s,,':,,.
For answer, Paula caught his
hand, and drew him inside the
room. 80. ,l%l :.
Since he had left the apartment,
five minutes earlier, all the lights
except a few shaded wall lamps
had been turned off. The room
was bathed in a soft glow. Paula
was standing close to Scott. Sud
denly she put her arms around his
neck, pulled his head down to,
ward her face, his lips toward
hers. -.
Scott loosened her arms quick
". paula, you've been drinking
too much, and don't know what
you're doing" he said. .,u
'1 do know she cried wildly
"Oh, Scott. don't leave me now
Stay, stayw Sd :, ,
Scots voice was cold and stern.
$50 to bed, Paula, and sleep II
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 ~. And now it was s.
She had stretched a tentative
hand toward the other pillow sew
eral times during the night She
had turned on the light as often.
9Ruf Scott was simply not here be-
side her. He hadn't come in quiet