The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-27
. SERIAL STORY
SIS A WEEK
By LOUISE HOLMES
1910. NEa Service. Inc.


lay her unrest % the utter lack Of
progress in her ambitions.
one night she and Paul wer.
sitting in the park. Il was one
Of those humid evenings which
sometimes come early in May.
They were eating popcorn. each
silently intent.
The bag was finally empty Paul
gave Ann his handkerchief and
she wiped her hands.
Paul" she said. its another
year. We've been sitting on this
bench and in the movies for a
year
Yeah know. Last year
was making SIS. Now I've shot
up to s25. Soon I'll be hiring an
investment broker to take charge
Of my surplus" He spoke Bit
terly.
AT least you've moved up a
little she said. I'm Just exact
~ where 1 was a year ago. Oh,
Paul thought If a girl had am
oition and was willing to work
she could find a way
He sighed. They were both in
low spirits that night. Paul had
come to realize that life without
Ann would be as blank as a fresh
ly plastered wall. He loved her.
he wanted her. more than any,
thing else he wanted to give her
the beauty she craved. And there
he was, helpless, shackled to a s25
job.
OF course, there was a future
to his job - buyer, department
head, managership of store-but
when--when? His soul cried out
at the waiting. While he waited
she would be lost to him.
Its a rotten shame, Ann" he
said, keeping his voice at a casual
level. Have you tried to get a
pNNtti JVp
"Oh, yes But her tone be-
trayed her encouragement. I've
tried everywhere. Fifteen a week
is the best 1 can do. Fifteen a
week" she cried furiously. Il
hate the sound of it. A living
wage, barely enough to keep soul
and body together, no hope, moth
ing ahead" Her voice broke
and she stopped, Let me have
your handkerchief again, Paul I
must have a little cold"
She blew her straight little nose
and wiped her eyes. She tried to
laugh. Guess it doesn't do any
good to rave she said. I'm tired
tonight. I dread the thought of
another summer"
1t grew quiet in the park and
they stayed on the bench. Occa-
sionally the big policeman passed
on heavy tread. He always spoke
to them.
At last Ann said, WED better
be going back. Another day is
creeping up from China"
Yes. another day and another
month and another year. Wen
be old. Ann, still fighting" Paul
spoke savagely.
Ann slipped her hand into his.
The two of them-hopeless. Sud-
denly she wanted Paul to take
her in his arms. Suddenly she
had an aching need of the comfort
of his arms. His hand frightened
on hers, he drew nearer on the
bench.
Ann" he said huskily, II want
to kiss you, but it's dangerous.
dear. We promised to be friends
and if / kiss you-I won't be your
friend any more" He leaned to-
ward her. She felt the muscles
Of his arm tighten.
Il don't care" she whispered.
"oh. darling" He put his
arms around her and bent his lips
to hers. The first kiss was ten
der, the second not so tender. II
bruised her lips.
The big policeman, approaching
alone the path, turned quickly
back. That's better he NUT
tered. That's more like it."
Ann did not see Paul for a
week. During that week she lived
in rosy dsze. not looking ahead.
nor back. She knew now why
little SIS girls married their men,
she knew that if Paul asked her
that was the catch - If Paul
asked her -
TO Be Continued