The Washington times., 1935-12-07

know that you're the only one
who's earning any money in this
family? That I am such a rotten
failure as a provider that you have
to run to Sherman for a job with
which to take care of yourself
and me? Don't you realize, Ann.
that If this keeps on I'll end up
no better than a good-for-nothing
gigolo?"
"Kipp!" AIMS voice struck out
at him sharply. bringing them
both faulty to their feet.
Well" he demanded. facing
her grimly, his young mouth tor,
tured, his eyes haggard, isn't it
SOP"
"Kipp," said Ann slowly, fast,
ening her slim hands about his
arms, sinking her fingers into
them violently, "Kipp. you mustn't
say things like that. You mustn't
think things like that. Silly, crazy
things you don't mean. You're hor-
ribly disappointed about the book
So am I. But everything is going
to be all right. Nothing is any
different from what it has been
ever since your father died. We're
just going to keep on the way
we're doing until something
breaks for you :"
And what" inquired Kpp,
moving deliberately away from
the touch of her hands on his
arms, do you think is going to
break for me? Perhaps some pub
Usher will take the book and
I'll get a measly advance of five
hundred dollars perhaps I'll
sell short story or so . that S
a few hundred more. But what
of it? 1t isn't good enough, Ann.
And you know it isn't!"
Ann stared at him with
stricken eyes. II don't believe"
she said slowly, gropingly,
that I've realized how cruelty
hard all this has been for you.
thought I had; but now I'm
beginning to think I don't. Don't
you realize, Kipp, that if you go on
like this. if you let it get you
like this, you're going to ruin
everything between US? We can't
quarrel with each other the way
we have today without leaving
scars. we can't fail each other
like this. ="
But don't you see," groaned
Kipp wrectchedly, that I have
failed you? In every way. Failed
you and myself. I've written a
damned silly novel that no one
will publish. and let you pay the
rent. -"
Ann spoke slowly. bitterly: cts
just your pride that's hurt, really.
You don't mind crucifying me like
this, making me terribly unhappy;
but you worry yourself sick be-
cause I happen to be paying the
rent. It doesn't make Sence. Kipp.
If you'd just try to remember once
in a while that it's just a question
of letting me manage for both Of
us until you get started. in one
year, two years, you'll be all set.
You'll be making twice, three
times what I am. -"
You honestly believe t h a t,
Ann?" Kipp swung on her sud-
denly, his eyes raking her face,
defying her to lie to him.
yes. I believe that"
II don't know. :" His voice was
ragged with spent emotion.
you do know, really. you're
just horribly upset because Hall.
burton turned the book down.
Everything will look differently
to you, tomorrow. -"
Kipp laughed shortly. every
thing has looked lousy to me for
weeks, Ann. The ouly way I've
kept going was by telling myself
that the book would go over. :"
1T will. Listen darling" AIMS
voice broke, became soft and plead
ing. won't you at least wait until
you hear from these other publish.
ers before you start getting so
horribly discouraged?"
Kipp said: I'm sorry. Ann. I
didn't mean to go to pieces like
this !" He smiled at her, a mere
lifting apart Of dry lips. His
fingers. pushing through his hair.
were twitching nervously. 'I've
made a complete ass of myself, as
usual. About the book. about
Lewis. You're going to take this
job he's offered you. Of course?"
II am. If it's all right with
you."
"It's all right with me, Ann"
He wasn't looking at her. he was
looking for a cigarette. He had
EXHAUSTED the ones in his case.
Ann said: There are some in
that box on the table" She went
to stand at the window and stare
out into the night that had fallen
swiftly, blackly while they talked.
Copyright, 1884, by Ailens CorIiss. Dis
trtbuted by King Features Syndicate, Inc,)