The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-09-29
sYLoJlss HOLMES

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% - wuxn ths failoNsaK day usFs
nsen8ed. RACE ready
A. - worked Ian ruAnsd
as.gui thx lsv1ng roon. ds glanced
al the paper. throwing u down 10
starr from ths pin<ieS. u creased
NsriAns mind that shs ard Dan
never vert out together. And DO
one eAnas 70 s~e them VITA the
sxcsptlun q q fsw business ae-
saAantAnces. they had no friends
Why She frowne1 squeezing her
hose IN = foAmy sads-
Years ago their home had teen
the meeting place fer the crowd.
she herself had discouraged II
finally. Too tired. too intent on
the slippery ladder 10 success
After that sh. and Dan had gone
to the movies occasionally She
couldn't remember when the last
time had been.
Dan had never complained when
she objected TO going out. Hs
never left her alone. Marian had
a moment OF sclf-reproach. Dan
was so socially inclined. he loved
10 dance. he loved people.
Odd. the way she and Dan had
drifted apart. There had beer
such a wealth OF love- at first. such
JOY In their close eompanionship
Marian gave herself a jerk, both
literally and figuratively. Why
should she indulge in sentimental
twaddle > Long since. she had &C
cepted things as they were. Wa,
II because OF the two fears, Sally
Blake and the other ever-present
dread Were they unconsciouslS
driving her TO Dan for shelter?
She twisted her soft lips. Oar
was no haven. she had learned noi
TO depend upon him years ago
She wished he wouldn't pac'
around the living room. WIZ
didn't he settle down with a book
Finishing the washing, she sa
down with a needle and thread
Two tiny snaps on her office dresi
needed Tightening. Dan dropped Il
a chair by the table and shuttle,
a pack of cards. He laid out hi
favorite game. Marian wondere,
how many games of solitaire Dan
had played in the past 10 years.
Her needle was too large for tn
holes in the snaps, she pricked he
finger. the slap-slap Of Dams card
beat on her nerves.
For goodness sake. Dan" sh,
said GROSSLY, haven't you any
thing TO read? Solitaire solitari'
all the time"
You said IT," he returned. al
unusual gruffness in his tone.
1T gets on my nerves. I've haC
hard day" She had an impuls,
to tell him Of her hard day, o.
Sally Blake who was edging in OF
her domain, of her fear that G. F
was no longer satisfied. She com
pressed her lips. She couldn't tel
Dan. He would be glad of hel
downfall Very likely he had beer
patiently waiting for that very
thing.
Instantly. her thoughts swung
back. Dan wouldn't be glad
There wasn't a bit of meanness il
Dams makeup. That's why he haC
been a failure, too easygoing, toe
thoughtful of the other fellow.
Like the time he could hav,
been sales manager IL he hadn'i
stepped back in favor Of Simi
Crane who had a wife and two
youngsters. Marian had never for
given him for that.
Dan was the best man, all h.
lacked was q little force of char
acter. He'd been chicken-heartec
because Sims Crane had two
youngsters
Youngsters-Dan never men
toned his little dream daughter
any more. Strange that he should
have wanted a girl. But Dan wa:
queer like that, tender, no force
How her mind ran on tonight
Dan had obediently put the card:
away. He was Tipping through .
magazine. sitting sidewise on ar
uncomfortable chair.
Dan, what sils you tonight p
she BROKE out in evaporation
"Go over and talk to Dolly. Let
me have a little peace"
"Okay." He got up and strolleo
across the hall. leaving both doors
open. Marian heard him say, eve
been kicked out. Can you put ur
with me for a few minutes ?" He
said it good-naturedly.
"Of course. Sit down. There:
the evening paper There was nc
raspy edge to Dollys voice. She