The Washington times., 1937-04-15

open, WV %1AN HNHJ
pictures, Eddie, and everybody
A door banged. Another voice
"a man's-probably Edwards
father.
Marie went on listening, not be-
cause she wanted to, but because
she couldn't help it.
Oh, why did he bring me here?
Why did let him? Oh, we've got
to get out-we've got to get out
right away.
Ice-cold with shame, half sick
with excitement, she blundered
around the room, dragging out suit
cases, piling in the things she had
so recently taken out. With fin
gers all thumbs, she got out OF
her dress, and into her suit. Put
, on her hat, put gloves and purse
. and scarf on the bed.
But Edward was going too. She'd
have to pack for him. From under
: the bed, where he had pushed his
big suitcase, she dragged it into
the middle of the floor. Every
thing would go in this time. The
bathrobe and the old suit he'd left
in the closet, too. Carefully al
first, then more and more hastily
she crammed his belongings into
the bag. It wouldn't shut, so she
sat on it, and pushed and pulled
with all her strength.
No use.
She took everything out, began
again. Carefully this time. Sys,
tematically.
Still =; wouldn't shut.
Her hat was askew, her face
scarlet, tears Of exhaustion and
Self-pity stood in her eyes.
Honey, what are you DOING?"
Edward was back.
1T won't shut" she said brok
emily. 1--we tried and tried until
I'm nearly sick. You'll have to
do it,"
But, darling-What in the
world"
Il couldn't help hearing. ]
couldn't help it. I heard every
word. Every word" Her head
went down on his shoulder. I'm
sorry-don't pay any attention to
me-rll stop crying in minute
It was just that the suitcase
wouldn't-wouldn't shut, and
was $3.50"
Poor baby! Poor little girl. ]
could shoot that dumb OK Of a
sister of mine! Here! Take my
handkerchief, it's clean! But ]
made her apologize, and honey
for my sake-please! For my sake
won't you wash your face, ano
come down to dinner? Oh, please
dear! Mons gone to so much
work, and I promised I'd bring you
down. Please! Just this once!
Now that it was all over, now
that Nom and Pop and Bee and
everybody knew that he was mar
ried, and could like it or lump it
Edward felt better. 1t occurred to
him that something might be sale
for the formal wedding, with
everything announced in the news
papers, and the family introduced
to the idea gradually.
What day!
But in spite OF everything, II
was good to be home. He stretched
his long length on the comfortable
Chesterfield, adjusted a pillow
more comfortably under his head
and gave himself up to rest.
Goals glowed in the fireplace
the yellow silk lampshades that
Bee had made gave off a soft
amber light. In the big chair BY
the radio his father sat readins
the evening paper. OCCASIONAL!
putting a question to him, or read
ing headline aloud:
Another holdup in East Oak
land. 1t says. chain store thieves
net six hundred in cash, leav,
clerk tied to counter. 1 tell YOU
in my day we didn't have tina
kind of monkey business. IT.
dirty politics and corrupt politi
clans. I'd take the lot of 'em an
deport 'em. Send 'em back wher
they came from"
That's right" Edward mul
INJURED. At times his fathers ant
quated ideas and prejudices ar
noyed him, but tonight he was to
comfortable, too mellow to min
what he said. The old fellow wa
getting along, too funny h
hadn't noticed before, ho'
scrawny his neck was, how HI
shoulders sagged.
Nom wasn't so darn youn