The Washington times., 1937-11-23

@~---- SNNNee ~@----
self out"
Something in Pings manner
frightened Karen. What had they
said about her? Something about
her and Dick? If that was 1t, she
did not want williams about to
see. She would fool Ping.
Finally Williams left them.
Ping still waved the paper be-
fore Karen. Eyes, siree-I've wait
ed for this. I knew it was going
to happen sooner or later. The
trouble with you, Karen, is since
you stopped drinking you don't
hear things"
What things?"
Lots of things!"
Karen was infuriated. She stood
up, but Ping forced her back into
her seat. BE quiet. This is my
revenge, sweetheart. You made a
fool of me. Well now"
He spread the rumpled sheet be-
fore Karen. It was a picture of a
girl. A pretty serious face. It
seemed little familiar-and there
was Dicks picture.
Karen looked up at Ping, her
heart beating so fast it hurt.
Read. I want to see you. I want
to watch you read that!"
Then Karen read. Suddenly
every vestige of color went out of
her face. She sat there quiet, hold.
ing the rumpled paper. It was the
announcement of Marcia Vests
wedding to Dick-in just one
week.
TORTURE
Ping was laughing loud now.
But Karen did not notice. Karen
had only one idea-flight. Ping
knew that. She started to get up.
She did not even see him. Her
hands felt cold, and she dropped
the paper. Ping, with a bow,
picked it up and thrust it into her
hands again.
Hold it! Look at it! There's
your boy friend! So he hadn't
told you? I could have told you-
could have told you weeks ago.
But I wouldn't. I just waited and
waited for this"
Karen looked around vaguely.
"I've got to get out of here"
Ping held her wrist. you're
staying until I get through with
you." Something in his voice
brought her eyes to his face. She
saw there the mirroW of her own
suffering.
"Ping!" She held out her hand
appealingly.
so you can't take it? But you
can give it. You could cut my
heart out and laugh! Well, now
the laughs on you"
Stung beyond endurance, Karen
retorted: "It isn't true!"
"You know damned well it's
true!"
The bitterness in Pings eyes
cut Karen. ping, you wouldn't
want me If I did not love YOU"
From her own misery she ap-
pealed to him.
I'D take you anyway" Sudden
tears came to Pings eyes. His
voice broke. He covered his face
with his hands. With a desperate
effort Karen tried to comfort him,
to forget herself: "It does no good
to say I'm sorry. I didn't know
then-Ping. I didn't realize"
She was folding and refolding
the piece of newspaper in her
trembling hands. She did not
know what to say to Ping. Her
throat throbbed until it hurt, and
she put her hand to it. She
touched Pings arm. Forget me,
Ping. I'm not worth it,"
He dropped his hands to his
sides. He was suddenly ashamed
of himself.
He wiped his face, and took her
arm. Mechanically Karen tucked
the piece Of paper into the front
of her frock.
Williams was coming.
I've been a cad, Karen. But
love you"
II know Ping" Her voice
broke. Help me now"
When Lew came up Ping made
excuses. We've been having a bit
OF a row. I'll take Karen home,
Lew"
You're drunk, Ping, I'll take
her"
Help me find JAY" Karen in
terrupted. She could stand no
more. She clung to Pings arm,
and Lew seeing her state put his
arm about her slim figure.
Ping, you mug. You should
be kicked. Why make a scene?
Come, Karen!" He took her arm.
Her knees sagged.
LOOKING FOR JAY
"Here, take Pings arm, too. Now,
forward march. Well find Jay. I
ought to sock you in the nose,
Ping"
Ping mumbled; You're telling
mel"
The three of them went off to,
gether.
do look all right?" Karen
asked piteously of Lew as they
came out into the crowd.
You're gorgeous. Keep a stiff
upper lip. Well find Jay and you
can scram."
Through it all Karen kept re-
peating to herself: "I'll never be-
lieve it until he tells me-" Then
she would add: 1T isn't true. 1t
can't be. He would have told me
tonightm
People stopped them and tried