The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-10-13

ALL 4NSS S@NNOSN - O---
from heat.
At noon. she hurried out, too
upset to take her time. Her steps,
from habit, led her to the Grill
where she and Jim always met
for lunch. But one look into the
Grill and her stomach turned
over. 1t was crowded, smolder-
ing, sweltering. Jim, his good
looking face damp from perspira-
ton, came up. She jerked away
irritably.
Lets go to the Royal today"
she said harshly. TITS air-cooled."
He grinned sheepishly and dug
into his pockets.
This is Thursday, honey and
I'm cleaned. I couldn't even get
by the hat check girl in my fl
nancial condition"
Very WE'LL" said Paula, I'm
going alone. Luckily, I can af-
ford to eat at a civilized place
for once. Besides I need some
one whose company is a bit less
depressing than yours"
LOSES APPETITE
"Okay," she heard him say, but
family. But when she got to the
Royal, she had lost her appetite.
She eyed the cool interior visit
fully but you couldn't go into the
Royal and just sit without order
ing.
The sight of food made her i'll.
Besides she hadn't enough money
for meal there, if she was to be
cut of a job on Saturday.
All afternoon sic worked saw
agely, like one possessed of devils.
On her way home, at 6, the
thought of the sitting apartment
made her turn away from her
block where people were sitting
out on stoops, where babies were
Squalling and where life was hor-
rible.
She stopped, hesitating, in front
Of movie theater. She went in
and sat in the last row, closing her
eyes. Blessed, blessed chill, en-.
veloped her. She breathed in the
cool air as if it were the only
oxygen she had had for weeks.
Her eyes closed. She dozed
lightly. She awoke two hours
later, a new being. Remembrance
broke over her, like a wave. She
had Wantomly, for no reason that
she could figure out, thrown away
Grace's friendship, her job and
:. Jim.
When she came out, dazedly, she
saw it was raining. Squalls of rain
were sweeping the heat out of
city. Gasping, she ran the few
block to the apartment.
T h u n d er crashed, lightning
played aroung her as she closed
the windows against the storm.
Then, like whiplash of rain,
her Sobs started. She threw her
self on the daybed, her tears fall
ing almost as fast as the rain out
side.
You poor kid! Don't take on
like that. Is it because you're
sorry :. about this morning."
Grace had come in. Her lids
were swollen so that she could
scarcely see. Paula nodded.
Il was mean horrible" she
said. II don't know what posses
sed me-"
II was kind of mad at YOU"
Grace admitted. But if you're
as sorry as all this :"
NEW WORLD
The next morning Paula had to
wear a jacket it was so
heavenly cool. Mr.. Edwards came
in, untidy but cheerful in the new.
made world of dropping tempera-
lures.
Suppose he would not listen to
her? She loved working here. It
was a wonderful office, so cool
and airy, and she needed her sal
airy.
Il know you are generous, fair
man." she began. "Otherwise I
would never dare to think you
would accept my apology about
yesterday. I was i'll nervous :"
Mr.. Edwards waved his hand.
we all say things we regret after
wards" he said. You're too good
a worker to lose because of a little
argument. But never let it hap
pen again."
So she still had her job. But
Jim. The job was nothing if she
lost him. Maybe he would be at
the Grill as usual.
Ten minutes after she seated
herself at the counter, he strobe
in .. with blonde. Her heart
leaped died miserably.
you asked for it, Paula
Pounds" she told herself. mo
whining, please"
Miss Pounds Miss Lake"
Jim was introducing them. While
they laughed and chartered to-
gether, Paula tried to choke down
her sandwich and matted milk.
Miss Lake excused herself soon,
saying she had some shopping to
attend to.
Paula glanced sideways at jim.
DO you . . like her, Jim?"
Cray about her. She works
in the policy department. She's
married to Mike Possman, one of
my best friends. They don't like
married women to work at the Of
} flee so she calls herself Miss"
Il want to apologize, Jim
for :"
Skip it, Paula. I figured the
heat got you. Want to take in
movie tonight?"