Evening star., 1936-12-27

luk. Ill oiCh. VIC kOt d HCdu vi uiC
like an anvil chorus. I'm burning up
with fever. ache like a whole infiu-
enza epidemic. l -"
Richard, didn't know!
Il couldn't stand it at the Office.
So l came home, hoping for little
rest; and now l have this to contend
with" He kicked her handsome black
bag - on the fitted side. The pain
ran from his toe to his Tortured head
and back again. He staggered. He
thought of not bowling. Then he
thought, whats the use?" and let
the howl come. 1t was a howl.
Richard -"
First" he ignored the fact that
she had now taken step toward him
instead of away, that little snip of a
secretary. Luella Wenzel, up and quit
this morning. I've raised her from a
filing clerk and as soon as she could
afford some clothes she thought she
was Miss America. She's going to
California, to take a screen test. An
other damn tool. Women are all alike.
They -"
Richard. listen. Have you ever had
a headache before?"
''Of course, have" He went on
roaring. II have one now every time
we have an east wind - almost. I've
always had 'em. Had one the day we
were married. Why bring that up?"
''But, Richard, you never said -"
I'm not woman - to 60 yelping
around over everything. Oh, damn the
headache! What do you care anyhow?
You don't care any more than Luella
Wenzel. Come home and find you all
packed and writing me note. Note.
hell! When my heads like this. my
eyes won't focus on a billboard. My
cars outside in the chrysanthemums
right now."
Richard :. Your car? Not really?"
She was close beside him now. Her
hand went out, half fearfully. and
touched his arm. In her dark eyes tears
shimmered And still, she smiled.
oh, my dear, you don't mean to
say you care ). About my going?"
"Oh. nor Sarcasm came out in
dismal groan. mo. don't care. .
Much. Being married's just habit.
1 guess. Just keeping up the conven-
tions. Everybody does it. Go on. Bust
up a mans home. Knock his life to
pieces. l won't stop you. Only, don't
leave any damn notes lying around!
l won't read 'em, I tell you. won't
read 'em!''
Richard Sheridan Murdock. you
sit down" Her hand had moved from
his arm to his shoulder. There was
pressure behind it. You're delirious.
Sam Sam, where are your" Their
butler and house man appeared at the
hall door, Sam, take this bag up
stairs and turn down Mr.. Murdock's
bed. Then come back and help me
upstairs with him. He's very sick"
''No such thing" lied Richard val
iantly, though, now that he was sitting,
alternate waves of nausea and chill
ran over him. please don't let me
interfere with your plans. Put the bag
down, Sam. Do"
Her arm went around his neck. Her
other hand closed over his mouth.
do as ! say, Sam. said Mrs. Richard
Murdock with a beautiful tone of
authority; and Sam vanished.
"Bu-" Richard could only gurgle
behind her fingers. They or the pretty
silk scarf around her neck - some
thing - smelled of dried rose leaves,
as she held his head more tightly.
Don't be silly, she said. Softly
To him. Il wouldn't think of leav-
ing when you need ME 50 badly. Oh,
Richard. you do need me. don't
you?"
There was ache and dread and visit
fulness. Starvation In her cry.
Need you. Oh, my, darling -"
Pichard clocad his axec and relavod