The Washington times., 1936-06-06


room. They were leaving their
Grapes and the painted bookshelves
Ricky had made. She was CRATE
full.
She looked like a little en-
chanted thing as she moved about
the room, the spun gold hair and
exquisite face so pathetic above
that old-woman'S hump on her
frail back.
She said: "It will be so wonder
full to live in this room where a
great love has been. You're like
story come to life. 1 knew it
when you first came here. Think
ing about you was better than
reading. I'm so glad there is real
love in the world and not only in
books"
She gazed yearningly from the
window. ships are romantic. I
always imagine a glorious man
standing at the prov and coming
for beautiful waiting girl"
Said Nell softly: What does he
look like, Mamie?"
Like Ricky, of course! But the
girl is never I. She's tall straight
lovely creature"
with gold hair and an angels
face, Mamie?"
Mamie laughed. In a way that
brought tears to Nell's eyes. Then
Mamie went on: Anything can
happen in dreams. Even that! I
wonder if on some far dim shore,
the things of our thoughts have
reality? Perhaps all our lovely
dreams actually happen. We're
the actors, or some day shall be-"
Mamie brought gifts for Ricky-
fine handkerchiefs which she
hemmed and embroidered with his
initials.
Emily also came. She furnished
the money for Ricky's trip. EN-
was going to buy a new tailored
suit for herself. This she wanted
and greatly needed. But she
said largely: II owe this money to
you, Nell. I walked out and left
the whole burden to you. I'll be
in California 5000 miles away. If
anything happens to Nom, you'll
bear it alone. I'm glad Of this lit
tie chance to even the score"
She handed over her $50 and
did without her suit.
But the last hours they kept for
themselves. They went alone to
the Grand Central. They scarcely
said a word. Now and then they
looked at each other and very
quickly looked away.
Don't stand and wave to me,
Nell. You'll look too lonely and
little. Afraid I'll jump off the
train"
"Ah no-I've got to see the last
of you-till you're swallowed up
in the distance"
He kissed her and forgot he had
twice done this. The whistle
blew. They chung together for a
moment of tender agony.
cts not going to be too long,
Nell. I'll find some way. Good
by. Good-by."
In a blurred way she saw his
tall figure standing on the steps,
saw his raised hand waving. In
the next moment she was alone.
She felt Ricky's kiss on her
mouth, his trembling words like
call to hope in her heart. He
thought her strong and terribly
brave. She needed this tribute
for support.
She was quite alone now. Emily
too was gone. The dark future
hers to meet, unaided.
She now stood before her bu-
reau, the wedding ring on her
finger, her marriage license open
before her. She was going out to
the dining room where her step
father and Nom would be and
tell them she was married.
Ricky implored her to do this.
He wanted her to tell it at the
Office, also. At least. protect the
child from the chance of question.
But she wouldn't risk her job.
She didn't dare.
She went out quietly, took a
chair between them. She had
papers in her hand. She felt
composed and very still.
"Mom-I want to talk about
our finances. I think Dad ought
to know"
He put down his cup, a menace
in his black, flashing eyes. Nell
fancied a blue swollen mark over
his lip where she had struck him.
TO Be COntinued)
Copyright 1885. by King Features
Syndicate, Inc.)