The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1939-07-13

n ed member Of that vast and
pitiable army Of misunder-
stood husbands.
Noel had achieved an early sue
cess in life. and possessed tidy for
tune to prove it.
He had also achieved . notice
able bulge at his waistline. tufts OF
gray hairs behind his ears. . bald
spot and an occasional touch Of
rheumatism. But for all this Noel
wasn't old. or thought he wasn't.
He didn't feel like setting down
and enjoying his wealth as most
sef-respecting men Of dfty-two
might be expected to do.
He didn't like golf or bridge OK
stilted parties or even . moderate
amount Of travel.
He had been q stern. hard-think-
ing business man all his life and
he wanted to be-well. frivolous.
Noel's wife, Erla. was in favor Of
the quiet retirement.
Erla was large and capable and
sensible.
She had married Noel when he was
. clerk in an advertising agency Of
fee.
She had stood by him through q
great many crises. had advised and
comforted and suggested.
Rightfully enough she felt that
credit for at least part Of his success
was due her.
She felt. too. that she knew what
was best for her husband.
And that was the crux Of the
whole thing.
That was why Noel felt that he
was Observation-Disclosures Erla
wanted him to retire and live =
quiet life. because she didn't think
he ought to be-well. frivolous
Noel grieved over the matter.
brooded over it. pitied himself and
eventually decided that he wouldn't
retire from business. No. sir. He'd
continue going down to the Office ev-
cry day.
Most anything was better than
staying at home under his wife's
wing.
Erla didn't object.
On the contrary she agreed that in
these trying times the Office prob
ably needed him.
There wasn't much for Noel to do
(the office routine had long since
been entrusted to younger and cap
able hands) = he found plenty Of time
to sit around and talk to people. and
to notice Miss Glow.
He had. in fact, been noticing
Miss Glow for some time.
She had been employed by the
office manager a month before to
assist Miss Fisher. who was Noers
personal secretary.
There was something about her
that made Noel feel he wasn't old at
al. Not even fifty-two.
She had q heart-shaped face and
dazzlingly attractive eyes. and
sometimes the way she looked at
him when he asked her q question
made Noel remember the days Of
his youth when he was good looking
and considered somewhat Of lady
killer.
Obviously. he thought that charm
which had made him that once had
not left him.
Miss Glow had been attracted by
it; there was no mistaking the adj
miration and distant. modestly con-
cealed worship in her eyes.
Noel twiddled his mustache and
thought.
It occurred to him that here was
girl Of intelligence, a girl to whom
he would enjoy talking. one who
! understood him and appreciated his
: qualities, one who didn't think him
! old and doddering and ready for the
shelf.
| Yes. he was sure that Miss Glow
would be like that.
He knew women, did Noel.
| It took a lot Of courage for Noel
finally to get around to mentioning
to Miss Glow what was on his mind.
j and he made a rather clumsy job
Of it.
| But what little embarrassment he
may have felt was instantly dis
PEELED by Miss CLOVIS round-eyed
and emphatic response.
why. Mr.. Winthrop. I'd just love
to 60 out to dinner with you! !
think it would be wun-der-ful!''
!, Noel called Erla on the phone and
told her he wouldn't be home be-
cause he had to entertain . client
ut dinner.
i Then he went down to the club.
changed into the tuxedo he always
kept there, hired . taxi and drove
to the corner where he had arranged
to meet Miss Glow.
/ She was waiting, and she insisted
that they walk to the night club.
It was such q nice night and she
|. Just loved to walk. she told him.
Then she tucked her arm In his
and Noel. even At flfty-two. felt q
thrill.
Thew valked an extra two blocks