The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-22
. SERIAL STORY
SIS A WEEK
By LOUISE HOLMES
Copyright. Isao. SEA service. Inc.

A10nAlHArQ ~
downstairs. How goes 1t. Betty ?"
1T goes something wonderful"
she said. her eyes shining.
Clara and the twins were plainly
envious Of the narrow band on
Betty's finger. Ann gazed at the
bride speculatively. Why was q
wedding ring 30 desirsbles Was
IT because these girls lived BY a
pattern and one phase of the pat
tern was marriage? Or was it a
law Of nature that each girl must
find a mate? Or was 1t love She
didn't know. She had a feeling
that the girls didn't know.
Well Betty said smugly, Il
must get back to my husband"
She preened herself a little. She
said to Ann, Won't you come
and meet JIM"
Ann walked down the stairs
with her. Jim wore overalls: he
had not shaved recently. He ac-
knowledged the introduction awk-
wardly. As Ann turned away. he
caught Betty in his arms. There
was closeness about them.
sense of belonging. that brought a
quick ache to AIMS heart. Maybe
there was something in love and
marriage. Two people. instead Of
one, against a pitiless world.
She glanced down the stairs at
the hall door, watching for Paul.
At that moment voices came to
her from a nearby room, the loud,
rough voices of men.
My split was twenty-five
gimme twenty-five or I'll"
"What'll you do ?" a second voice
sneered.
Il could tell a few things about
you"
shut up. you fool"
The door opened and the two
men who had spoken to Ann when
she first arrived at the house,
came into the hall. They were thin
and sallow and furtive-eyed. Ann
hastily ran back to the third floor.
Paul came. He spoke pleasantly
to Clara and the twins. He and
Ann departed in the midst of ex-
cited chatter. Ann wondered what
there was about the advent of a
man to change an ordinary con-
versation into a feverish display
of so-called wit and charm.
They walked four blocks to Gar
field park and wandered through
the dusky paths. The night was
soft, with something of painful
sweetness in the air. They sat
down on a bench near the lagoon.
Would you like to 60 for a boat
ride ?" Paul asked.
AIMS practical mind immedi-
ately jumped to the matter of rs
cents, the price of an hour in a
rowboat. Paul made little more
than she did. He had the same
expenses. ITS just as nice here"
she said.
They talked easily of impersonaI
things, relaxing in the pleasant
quiet. Paul did not mention Steve
Claybourne. After a while he told
Ann a little of his college days.
Il paid my way at the frater-
nifty house by pressing suits and
waiting on table," he said Living
with a gang like that for four
years makes this sort of life seem
pretty lonely"
Yes, I know what it is to be
lonely"
He hesitated for a moment, as
If turning something in his mind.
Then, THE fraternity men in town
have an organization, the Athens
club. The spring hop is coming
off next week. I'd like to take
you if you'd care to 60"
AIMS eyes shone. A dance-a
nice dance-with Paul. "Oh, I'd
love to go. Paul" Then, dubious
ly, But won't it be expensive
terribly expensive ?"
Il suppose so, but gosh, Ann,
we've got to have a little fun as
we 60 along I've got a small
reserve and I'm going to spend it
on one nice evening for you and
me-"
She glowed. II feel like Gin
derella-"
I'm not much of Prince
Charming"
You'll do for me-"
He caught her enthusiasm. "A
yellow cab will be more or less
like the famed pumpkin"
"Oh, Paul"
They laughed together youth
fully. The night was filled with
stardust, it throbbed with life and
love.
IT. u.