The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-25
CHAPTER XVIII

'That we muffed it - that we
had such God-given chance and
muffed it."
"Do you hate me, DAMP"
He nodded gravely. Il hate you
because you have made me hate
myself" he said gently. II used
to have pride in myself - belief -
it's all gone"
He turned away He had not
kissed her.
Marian was hurt and angry and,
more than that, frightened. She
asked herself rebelliously, Must
one 60 through life being fright
ened? First you're afraid of being
poor, you do something about that
and then you're afraid Of losing
your job. Then you're afraid of
other things and finally you are los
ing your husband and It's different
kind of fear, hollow and helpless"
They spent the evening as usual,
Dan read and played few games
OF solitaire. He wandered rest
leSsly about the apartment and
eventually crossed the hall to
Dolly's door.
Lying on the davenport with
damp, pungent pads over her eyes,
Marian INDUCED in an orgy of
self pity. The old, dog cared query
presented itself to her. What had
she done to deserve this?
Behind her lay conscientious
effort and we'll placed energy.
Through circumstances, circum-
stances for which Dan was re-
sponsible, she had been cheated
of a normal, happy life. She had
been denied all the things which
belong to woman by right. Pro-
lection, easy living, pride in her
man, security most of all, Sc
curity.
And now that she had adjusted
her life to the circumstances, it
was only to learn that she had de-
feated her purpose all along the
line. The least Dan could do was
to show appreciation for her en-
deayor. The least he could do was
to be loving and sympathetic.
She had been horrid the night
before, she admitted 1t. But did
not all married couples quarrel on
occasion? Hadn't she asked Dan
to forgive her? Hadn't she ignored
his childish behavior in stamping
out of the apartment? Hadn't she,
like a silly fool, asked him to kiss
her? And had he done so? No, he
had not.
For a moment her injured feel
ings were forgotten in a longing
for Dams kiss. She loved the feel
of his mouth on hers, his kiss had
never lost its thrill for her.
Once she had said, touching his
lips with her fingertips, II love
your mouth, Dan - nice and hard
and tender. I hate men with soft
lips"
Dan had laughed, holding her
close. "Ah-h-so you are a con-
noisseur of kisses. Are you maxi
ing a collection, by any chance?"
And she, brushing his cheek
with her lips, had leased, II get
around a little"
That was when the chart of their
married life had many high spots,
when even the low ones held con-
tentment and love. Marian removed
the eye pads and went across the
hall. Dolly was at the telephone, her
eyes bright, a pleased little smile on
her lips. Dan did not look up from
the evening paper. Marian sat down
and idly turned the pages Of O
magazine. The magazine reminded
her of the doctors Office and she
threw 1t down. Dolly joined them.
"All the happy family" she said.
giving Marian an affectionate pat
on the shoulder.
did you say happy" Marian
asked.
Dan said nothing and Dolly
changed the subject. THAT was
Randy on the phone. The party
is growing"
Randy's party filled Marian with
diStaSte. More EFFORT, more wasted
energy. Sounds exciting" she said
1ndifferently.
"He has asked Pete Thorpe and
his new wife"
"Oh, really? III be glad to meet
her."
He knew that Pete and Dan
were friends and he's been want
ing to show the bride and groom
a little courtesy because Julie was
his secretary before her marriage"
Hmm - it's q small world"
Marian unused. HAS she quit her
job?"
"Oh, yes. Randy says she is the
domestic type. Anyway, he doesn't
employ married women"
He doesn't? Why not?"
"Well-he doesn't believe in It,"