The Washington times., 1936-06-09

room; noiselesSly closed the door.
A thousand tears came singing to
her eyes. But she wouldn't cry
about this. Crying wouldn't help
From the window she could see
a corner of the park. It was COW
cred with snow. The tree under
which she and Ricky had stood for
the rapt joy of their first kiss
was bare, gray, ghoStly. She cast
back over their months together,
feeling again the almost inSupport'
able sweetness Of their many
poignant hours. They were worth
their price. She would not undo
them though she now paid in
exorbitant torment.
Nor would she regret the coming
Of her child. She already loved it.
Devotedly. She would shield 1t
from the hostile thoughts Of
others Miss KinsellS Of the
world.
She would fight for it. She
leaned heavily against the window
and wondered how this might be.
Shed not tell Ricky. He'd only
do without food to send her more
money. Or he'd get night work,
going at it relentlesSly and unfit
ting himself for his real job. 1t
would be wounding wrong to add
further to Ricky's burden, with
the dismal news that her own
job was gone.
He was frantically lonely. She
had his last letter in her pocket.
Lee and I are working out an
improvement on the carburetor. 1t
will mean a big promotion for me,
if the old man is impressed.
"And, darling, I've just got to
double my salary. God, to get you
out here. This room is full Of Shad-
ows where your face moves and
smiles. I'm forever seeing you. For.
ever wanting you. I know how old
Tantalus felt with the food and
water hanging just beyond reach.
"GuesS I'm not geared for single
bleSSedness, for I'm awfully sick OF
tramping streets trying to wear
myself out and kill off this aching
hunger for you. Right now I'd give
five years of my life to have you
in my arms; to be kissing your
warm, soft mouth. And if you were
to open the door-oh, dear, why
don't you?"
A pang seized her. Suppose the
loneliness proved too much for
Ricky? Suppose he sought an
other?
She hid her face against the
window and wept desolately. This
separation was wrong. It was vi
ciouSly wrong.
But after a while she sat down
and wrote him a gay, dreaming
letter. Oh, the fun it soon would
be fixing up a little house! She
said not one unhappy word. This
was her part Of the battle. Shed
meet it valiantly. And alone.
CHAPTER XIII
Nell went to the typewriter COM
panieS; registered for employ
ment. Surely she could earn ten
or twelve dollars each week. -Four
days passed. No calls came.
But there was news from Emily.
Distressing news.
In the past EN- contributed ten
or fifteen dollars each month. A
short while ago when Nell paid off
the $50 loaned to hickey, EN- went
reckless. Sent her mother night
gowns, a bed jacket and $40; sent
candy and a sweater to Jimmy;
five yards of heavy black silk for
Nell. Now Emily would send moth
ing more.
EN- was on her way to Honolulu.
She wrote: MRS. Marsden is sent
there on business. Well be gone
till the first Of July. She gave me
my choice of quitting or travelling
with them, all my expenses to be
paid, but no salary. I won't have
any work to do except manicuring
her nails, fixing her hair and keep
ing her clothes in order. Suppose
I'm fool, but I've always longed
to see that beach at Waikiki, and
the moon rising in the palms.
Gall that worries me is q fear
Nom may die while I'm away.
Hate to think of you with all the
load to carry. But I'd be crazy to
throw the MarSdens down. I might
wander the streets of Los Angeles
three months without finding a
new place. I answered a few ads
all I could get was room, board
and SIS month. So I've decided
to stay put. On our return I'm
getting a raise to $50. Then I'll
make up, Nellie, old dear, for the
tough time you've had"
Ito Be COntinued)
Copyright 1885. By King Features
Syndicate, Inc.)