The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-02-27

'monds on It. Pleasant dreams,
Marcia"
For q while she lay In bed, try
ing, as she had been striving
since her conversation with Helen
in Bobbs Neck early that day, TO
think clearly and constructively
on the problem that was pre-
scented, that was not to be lodged.
Then, on an imperative impulse,
she rose md went to window.
Many stories below, she could
make out the loaded panes and
Venetian blinds Of which John
had spoken. Fifteen minutes later,
having dressed and left her room
key with an ever-so-slightly sur
prised clerk, she stood at the res
taurant's door.
"As Is becoming usual" Marcia
said to herself, II am looking for
an explanation Of my own actions.
That must be the reason am out
alone IN a practically strange city
at this nour. I certainly can't walk
unattended at midnight into a res
taurant where people are dancing.
Even II I could, what would 1t ac-
complish? John saw Frank work.
ing here at noon. 1t isn't likely
he would be at work agter mid
night, too. And II he were, what
would do?
ut seems that I've been think
ing forever about this and II
needs still more thinking. I'll
need a clearer head for that. III
walk to the Boulevard and back
and let some of this delicious po-
lar cap wind from the Lake blow
the cobwebs out Of my mind"
But the importunate thoughts
Of so many days persisted as she
walked eastward along the empty
ing street. What had led to
Franks thefts? Why had he re-
sorted to fight instead of repara-
ton, which would have been in
character with the Frank Ken
drick everybody knew? How could
he be returned to the life he had
known, and there re-establish
himself?
What had happened TO the pro-
ceeds Of his entertainments, that
he was now reduced to the wage
of a busboy? Marcia did not
doubt that his employment was a
matter of sheer necessity, not a
means Of hiding; there were a
thousand easier ways Of avoiding
people than taking Job out OF
line with ones accustomed sta
ton. What sort of future did
Frank look for, If he looked at all?
At the corner Of the Boulevard
she stopped for moment be-
fore turning back toward her hoe
tel. A taxi drove past, and as a
street lamp lighted the interior for
a fraction of q second she had a
glimpse OF girl and man look
ing into each others eyes. In that
brief moment, perhaps by express
sion as the tableau flashed and
vanished, or perhaps by that
telepathy which makes all the
world aware CT young lovers, they
gave to Marcia sense Of the
thrill that was theirs.
She turned abruptly toward the
hotel.
did ever feel about Frank as
that girl feels about the boy with
her?" she asked herself. y'Answer
honestly No. ! think not.
Did Frank ever feel about me as
that boys feels about the girl?
Again, / think not. What was
there between us, II we didn't
have that? Just our years of
friendship, of being used TO each
other, I suppose. We drtfted into
that engagement - at rather bad
time.
Being friends with me didn't
keep Frank from running away
from his trouble. Being my fairly
new fiance did no more. Then
can I do anything for him, or
with him, now that our status has
been altered?
1T all remains to be seen. The
cobwebs haven't been blown away"
In the hotel lobby, sight Of the
entrance to the coffee shop re-
minded her that she had had lit
tie appetite for her lonely dinner,
and she went inside and ordered
chocolate and rolls. The waiter
gave her the midnight edition of
a morning newspaper and she
read the unfamiliar headlines, but
was too tired to be interested. She
drank the hot chocolate gratefully,
for she had been chilled by her
walk. Finished, she opened her
bag and took out her cigaret case.
She was an infrequent smoker,
but she felt the need OF solace
now.
The case was empty.
will you have one Of mine?"
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