The Washington times., 1936-05-25

sing cold water in her eyes. 10
worked in an office next to Nell'S.
They were friends.
Nell knew about 10. She'd been
engaged to Jock Coleman when
Nell first came to work. Jock was
sitting pretty then, a salesman in
his fathers bond house. The bond
house went busted. Jock lost his
job. The wedding was postponed.
10 was crazy about the man.
She was defiant and reckless. In
those first days of her disappoint-
ment she confided in Nell.
"I'll just go mad if I lose him.
Jocks used to his own way. He's
pretty spoiled. He can't stand the
gaff. Something should be done
about us, Nell. What are a fel-
low and girl to do when they're
crazy about each other and SIM
ply can't start out as they want
| to? Marriage, like automobiles
and fur coats is now in the luxury
list. Poor young lovers can't at
ford it,"
10 and Jock solved Their prob
lem. Not nicely; not happily. But
with aggressive and pitiful ire.
The world had no place for them
and no jobs. The world refused
them the right to a decent and
satisfying life.
They were young; they were
blazingly alive, aware of thNn-
selves and their hot, impetuouS
emotions. All right for their
grandmothers to say: Prunes and
prisms and do without kisses till
the wedding day.
This isn't 1890! This is the
year of enlightment-1930, 80,
1894! We're modern! We know
the score. We've got heart that
feels and a brain that knows it.
We're wise to the facts Of life.
We're stepping on!"
Nell Doran knew plenty Of
young people who had this defiant
philosophy. They didn't spout it
before adults. They lived it. They
were a law unto themselves and
grabbed from a Withholding, i'll
adjusted world what joy they
could.
In the beginning 10 was radi-
antly, recklessly happy. Love
made things right. Then came
times when she was in despair
with worry; other times when
she feared Jock was not as ten
der, not as adoring. In the last
year she grew thin, almost home
ly, with anguish lest Jock was
through with her.
She now held the paper to her
eyes, saying in a muffled way:
This heat gets me downtown do
you stand 1t and look so fresh?"
Mel brushed aside this evasion.
She went over and stood close to
her friend. Whats wrong with
Jock?"
10 bit her lips and gulped.
ooh, nothing. He's got a good
job, you know!" She leaned
down and took a long draft Of
icy water With her face avert
ed, she said thickly: Hes going
to marry Peg st. Clair"
Nell steadied herself against
the basin. She felt weak, as
though someone had told this
blasting news of Ricky.
She said: ooh, my dear Jo-
| he won't walk out and ditch
you?"
"Yes-that's what he's going
to do. I've known it for a month.
When fires out. it's out. You
can't fan up the blaze from
ashes"
She could think Of nothing to
say that would comfort 10.
There was no solace.
10 sensed her unspoken thought:
"No, it wouldn't have made any
difference If we'd been married
Whether he takes you legally or
not. the moment a man has you,
he starts on the road to ditching
YOU. The wedding gets you a hus-
band and l0ses vow a lover. Besides
you can fly to Reno these days
and break up marriage almost
as easily as you get out Of an at.
fair. Men are just not born to
be faithful"
Ito Be Continued
II Copyright. 1895. by King Features
III Syndicate. Inc.)