The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-18
CHAPTER XII

Dan put his arm around Marian
and they sidestepped past Randy
and Dolly, Randy flattening himself
against the wall. Still held by Amy
Ellen's story, Marian crowded close
TO Dan.
IT like to dance with you, Dan"
'Me, too," he said indifferently.
slow do you think Carma is going
over with Randy? Seems to me
he's paying lot of attention to
Dolly"
"oh, he's Just sorry for her
Poor little Dolly" After colliding
with the wall, she asked, do you
think they want to dancer It's a
crazy thing to do In this cramped
apartment"
They'll stop when tney don't
like 1t. Leave guests alone and
they have a good time"
Marian glanced into the living
room. Bill had challenged Carma
to a game of pinochle. Amy Ellen
was sitting on the arm Of Bits
chair, vastly interested.
Dan" Marian said, Shouldn't
we be a little bit sentimental on
our 18th wedding anniversary"
~ dunno - should WEI" he asked
blankly.
His indifference piqued her. The
tiredness which she had noticed
so much of late was creeping over
her and with 1t came irritability
"At least you can pretend to
care for me when people are look
ing"
"Why?"
Dan, you're impossible tonight.
Just what did you mean by your
speech at dinner?"
Nothing, wasn't prepared.
"Well, think 1t was very poor
taste to air our difficulties to the
world"
IT didn't know we had any diff
culties. Guess we're just about as
happy as the average couple" He
was deliberately lodging the point.
She was ready to cry with I'M
potent rage. II wish we'd never
had this party. You didn't have
to stand up and make fun OF me,
I know work. I know I haven't
been satisfied TO be drudge on"
He stopped so quickly that she
stumbled. Lets not go into that
tonight" he said gruffly Leaving
her, he went 10 Amy Ellen. "HoW
about stepping of q few measures
with the old maestrop" he askee
lightly.
The party continued until after 2
To the guests II appeared TO have
been o most successful entertain
ment. They had sas in q circle or
the floor, playing non-sensica
games OF Randy's devising. The,
had laughed at anything and no
thing. They prepared to leave VIII
reluctance.
To Marian the last half OF thu
evening had been nightmare o.
WEAKNESS and forced gaiety. He
face felt stiff and drawn, her eye!
seemed to have sunk into her head
her hands shook with fatigue. Sh'
went to the bedroom with tn
girls.
Amy Ellen kissed her. 1--WE ha,
a grand time, Marian. Old friend
are the best" she said lovingly.
Carma still glittered, but sh
had been more like herself, join
ing In the fun and helping II along
AS Amy Ellen left the bedroom
she said, IT missed the boat whei
I lot Pete get away and don't thin
I don't know II. want q HON
and O husband and I don't car
II the home has q tight roof or no
I mean, I wouldn't care II Pet
were In the house"
Marian asked, do you lik
Randy7"
Carma shrugged. eyes, I do
but he can't see me-
Hes taking you home-1 hear
him ask you"
"Oh, yes, but that means moth
ing. I haven't got what II take
any more" The glitter In he
eyes was suddenly tears. "Whe
woman loses the man she love
Il does something 10 her, Marian
She loses something that has mad
her desirable TO other men. Per
haps It's her own awareness {
not being wanted-oh, I'm o sill
fool"
Marian gazed at her SILENT,
feeling her hurt. Carma put
gloved hand on her arm. Movin
her trappings jingled. IF O VIC