The Washington times., 1938-10-01

Mikeljohn."
Blu: 1 don't want to, tell you"
He awakened early. A practical
thought for Norma obtruded itself
and he picked up the telephone.
Norma, if you spent all your
money for flowers, you'll need car
fare. I'll be around with a nickel" :"
To show her how all right things
we're with him, he esSayed a joke.
I'll even make it dime so you
can go down on the bus. Well go
down together"
Thanks" said Norma. "I'll
have some breakfast for you"
FAMILIAR ROOM UNFAMILIAR
He took the stairs two at time.
The fragrance of coffee and bacon
greeted him. Norma in a ruffled
pink apron opened the door and in
a moment he stood in the familiar
room.
But is was not familiar now.
Stanley stood still and looked
around. The gay chintz curtains
were down, they lay folded neatly
on a chair in the middle of the
room. Books had been removed
from the shelves and piled on the
floor beside the chair, the cher
ished blue bowl was down off the
mantel and stood on the floor be-
side the books, the window seat was
stripped of its cushions, pictures
we're down from the wall.
II didn't realize it was to be so
Soon," he said.
Il decided last night" Norma'S
voice had a curious, hollow
quality.
You're wise" he said. "Silly
to let little thing like the lilacS
break up your plans"
Norma didn't say anything.
From the kitchenette she brought
a plate of steaming griddle cakes,
golden brown.
Stanley strove for caSualness.
"One thing they certainly teach
you in those Texas towns-how to
make griddle cakes"
Wen use the last of the maple
syrup" Norma said and poured
out the amber fluid.
The doorbell rang. They
listened while footsteps sounded
on the stairs.
SOMETHING FUNDAMENTAL
Mikeljohn's smooth blonde face
was drawn into stern lines as he
faced them. He seemed to see no
incongruity in Stanley standing
there. disregarded him entirely.
Norma, it was all a mistake"
he said. I've lain awake all night.
Surely you can't let everything
between us be broken up by so
trivial matter"
1T wasn't trivial" Norma's
voice was diSpassionate, her man.
ner unperturbed.
How can you say that?" He
turned to Stanley, a shade of i'm
patience in his voice. "A few
flowers in a bowl" he said
ferociously. "a difference of opin-
ion as to their value, for that she
is breaking up"
Norma shook her head. Its
something more fundamental"
But L don't understand" Per
plexity was in his voice, his face.
In the name of common sense,
Norma. be reasonable. Have all
the flowers you want. What do I
care about that? I want you to
have them. But just because I try
to explain a principle to you"
There's no use going into that
again." Her voice was weary, her
face was, too. "It isn't whatI did,
it isn't even the principle of it.
It's something in me you'd never
understand"
"Welford?" Mikeljohn turned to
Stanley. You understand Norma.
Can't you do something? Can't
you make her See?"
Instantly Norma flared. Don't
ask Stanley" she said. "He agrees
with you absolutely. He's been try
ing since last night to make me
marry you. Well, it isn't any use.
I'm not going to marry anybody" !"
Uncomprehending, Stanle ey
stared at her. But I thought
all this" his hand swept the piled
up furnishings in the center of
the room, Il thought this meant
you were being married"
She shook her head. I'm jack
ing up. I'm going back to Texas. "
After that. Mikeljohn left.
Norma and Stanley were stand
ing at the window and down be-
low MikeUohn crossed the street
in the early morning sunshine.
His chauffeur snapped sharply to
attention and opened the door OF
the car.
Norma" warned Stanley i'm
pressively as they watched him,
there goes all the money in the
world"
Stanley" Norma'S voice came
up from his shoulder, Ought you
to be thinking of money at a time
| like thiS?"