The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-01-02
CHAPTER TwENTY-N1NE

GI1A- En- VEN L mine
DAULA'S bridge party had in
i 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
gauze hung at the windows. There
were deeper purple velvet hangings,
pillows of green and lavender and
gold. Bowls Of dogwood blossoms
made one forget that it was a rainy,
dreary April night outside.
There was great deal Of cheer
full chatter. And Scott, who had
forgotten his resentful, deserted hus-
band feeling of short while be-
fore, created mild uproar when he
related his story-with humorous
embellishments-about his own
nbate OF mind when ne learned Dana
was not sitting ulsconsolately at
home. but having a swell time with
out 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 playing mechanical
ly, lost in 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 tomorrow,
Sam Winchester said, smiling. Its
Q a. m. now"
ITS not possible" 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 go until we finish
this rubber" Paula put in.
n
TT was long-drawn- out rubber,
l. but it ended finally. Then the
living room was quickly deserted.
Scott and the Winchesters were
last to leave. AS they we're 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 FIVE min
ute interlude with Paula. She
looked queer. excited.
What's 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.
Paula, you've been drinking too
much, and don't know what you're
doing" he said
Il do know!" she cried wildly.
ooh, Scott, don't leave me now
Stay, stay!"
SCOTS 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 wait
ing for the elevator, he ran down
the steps. He couldn't get out into
the clean, bracing air soon enough.
u u
TAANA had come home from the
- dinner at II. And now it was 3.
She had stretched a tentative
hand toward the other pillow sew
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
ly and crawled into bed without
disturbing her. Could there have
been an accident? Mo- She couldn't
bear such dreadful thought.
Scott drove rapidly lots OF times,