The times-news., 1935-12-18

at the north pole.
Dana told herself she was being
a poor sport. After all, it hadn't
been any fun for Scott to have to
rush away and then eat his birth
day dinner alone.
She was in this mood of penl-
tence when she met Scott at the
door at 2. She had heard his key
in the lock, and had put on slip
pers and a robe. t'.. 49,,
Scott was tired, disheveled,
sleepy. But he was pleased. I'M
mensely pleased. He didn't want
anything, he said, except some hot
coffee. AS a concession to Dana's
pleadings, he nibbled at the food
and praised it carelessly. His
mind, she could see, was back on
the drama in the home he had just
left. Scott was: acting, Dana
thought, as though a baby. had
never been born before.
"Fine young beggar," he said.
weighed eight pounds, two
ounces. No wonder he gave me so
much trouble. And could he yell!
"And what do you think,
Dana?" Scott went on. "When
Mrs. Lawson heard that it was my
birthday, nothing would do but
that the youngster be named
for me-Scott Lawson. Not a bad
name, what?'
81 didn't say anything" Dana
teased. She was back in bed now.
Sitting up, watching Scott who
sprawled negligentiy at the foot.
"But of course" Dana conceded,
''it's really a beautiful name"
"Of course it is," Scott brag-
ged.
Dana curved her lips in for
giving kiss. "You may kiss me
because Pm rather fond of you-
all the same.'
Scott kissed her, giving her a
bear hug at the same time. "Why
the supplementary phrase?" Scott
inquired carelessly, evidently not
understanding that he was being
forgiven. Evidently not realizing
there was anything to forgivel
Then, not waiting to be answer
ed, he said, "Gosh, am | tired! But
it was a great, big. beautiful bat
tie while it lasted"
Dana said disdainfully, "What's
so great, big and beautiful about
it? Babies get born every day."
'Not the way 1 get 'em born,"
Scott replied boastfully.
"Oh, we'll" said Dana sleepily,
"skip the details till breakfast.
Then we'll decide what we're go
ing to give that youngster as
birthday present" p.
She had lived up to that vow OF
hers never to interfere with
Scott's profession. After all,
birthday party was only a birth
day party. And was relatively
unimportant, compared to ones
first day on earth.
d. But Dana did want, when the
time came, to suggest delicately to
Scott that when he had birthday
luncheon or any other kind OF
luncheon with woman friend, he
might let her in on it. So that
she wouldn't have that open-eyed,
open-mouthed stare whe nthe
news was sprung on her. ...
Deep down, some instinct OF
caution warned Dana that it would
be wiser to say nothing at all
about that luncheon with Paula.
But the temptation was too strong
"It's always best to talk things
out" Dana argued with herself:
"Alwavs best to talk things out.
She had no opportunity to men,
ton the subject until the next eve
ming. Scott was manfully aiding
in the kitchen, stacking dishes
that belonged on a high shelf,
when Dana said, paula said. you
had luncheon with her yesterday.
eyes. Mrs. Marston, friend OF
hers, called me in. ] suspect
Paula recommended me to her,
"And then YOU went to Paulas
for luncheon"
"That's right. That girl has the
most tenacious memory. She re,
membered it was my birthday and
when came out she was all ready
with a dozen arguments why
should come in. Did | tell you
they are on the same floor? Paula
and Mrs. Marston." =,
" "No," Dana renlied. "But Paula
did" i,
For the first time Scott sensed
a current in the calm. He shot a
look at Dana, who was busy wlp..
ing the already spotless front OF
the enameled stove.
"You didn't mind my having
luncheon with Paula did youE
Scott asked in amazement.
"No. Only I wish you had told
me about it before Paula did"
she said.
"There goes my old ball and
chain" Scott ieered.
Dana flushed. She had sounded
stuffy. 81 really didn't mind your
having luncheon at Paula's, l
think" Dana went on, "but it was
having her tell it at the party, as
though she had achieved some
thing,
Scott laughed. "That's like old
Paula. What do you mean, you
think you wouldn't mind?'
"l'm just trying to be honest