The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-04-08
. SERIAL STORY
SIS A WEEK
IAPTER XXI
By LOUISE HOLMES
Copyright. 1870 SEa service. Inc

located Paul when Ann and Irene
and Mr.. Temple left for the train.
At the Lasalle street station Ann
called Steve. Purposely, she had
waited until then. One never
knew what Steve might do. She
reached him at home while Mr..
Temple picked up her ticket and
reservation.
"Steve-this is Ann"
Il don't believe it. Ann doesn't
call young men on the telephone"
Don't be funny. Steve. I'm
taking a train in 10 minutes. I
may not be back"
There was a silence while the
wires hummed. Then, What did
you say, ANN"
I'm going to Paul. II he'll
have me, I'm staying"
isn't this rather sudden" he
asked coldly.
Yes, IL is. / went to see Clara
today. She gave me letter from
Paul in which he asked me to
marry him. The letter was writ
ten four months ago. 1t may be
too late"
Have you considered what this
means to me?" His tone was like
splintered ice.
I'm sorry, Steve-if you really
care. I love Paul-I've always
loved him" Her voice broke
Il suppose you want me to wish
you every happiness"
please do, Steve"
We'll, I won't. I'm going out
and get roaring drunk. I'm dead
sick of the sweet and simple life"
He was childishly angry.
"Goodby. Steve"
There was a crash in her ear
and no answer. Ann found Irene
and her father at the gates. The
long train waited. Ann had al
ready forgotten Steve. He and
Irene would find each other and
they would be happy. They viewed
life from the same angle. At the
train steps Mr.. Temple put check
into AIMS hand.
For expenses" he said. Come
straight home, Ann, if things don't
work out for you"
She tried to thank him but he
hustled her into the car. It was
midnight and they walked through
a dimly lighted curtained aisle.
In AIMS compartment, Irene hug
ged her hard Write to me. Ann"
she said tearfully. "I'll miss you"
Mr.. Temple kissed AIMS cheek, the
train gave preparatory jerk, and
she was alone.
The berth was made up and she
sat down on the plush couch. She
sat for a long time as the train
gathered speed. After a while she
looked at the check. Expenses
The scrubbed amount was enough
to furnish a little house.
Ann took off her dress, donned
a house coat and lay down. She
did not close her eyes. Joy, wild
and tumultuous, surged through
her. She was going to Paul. Again
and again she read his letter, each
time gaining deeper happiness.
1t was o'clock of a chill, dark
morning when she left the train
and took a taxi to the hotel. In
her room she lay down again and
sleep overlook her. She awoke
with a start to find bright sun
shine making slanting oblong on
the carpet. 1t was o'clock.
Ann made a careful toilet. Rap
turous wings beat in her heart,
they made her fingers unsteady.
She drank a cup of coffee in the
grill and bought a gardenia in the
flower shop. BY means of a gar
denia she had met Paul. 1t might
have significance again. Asking
directions, she walked to the big
10-cent store a few blocks away.
Taking a deep breath, she went
through the swinging doors.
Thousands of articles filled the
counters, dozens of girls stood
about or Strengthened their stock.
A few early customers moved
through the aisles. AIMS eyes
darted across the room and up
and down. A dark head at a
counter in a corner caught her
attention and her heart seemed to
turn completely over. The dark
head turned and the heart settled
into place with a disappointed