Evening star., 1940-12-29

They reached the street and Gale
looked in the direction vi had
turned, but he could not see her.
He hesitated a moment, then led
Mrs. Smith quickly to his car and
helped her in. They didn't speak
on the short rioe to where she
lived Gale was completely preoc-
cupied with misgivings about what
had happened and about what he
could do about it. The girl sitting
beside him stared straight ahead,
obviously shaken with doubts and
nervously uncertain as to whether
she should speak or not.
When Gale let her out in front
of the dull gray frame building in
which she had her room he felt
only a vague repression. The place
was so cherries, so wretched. And
he'd seen the interiors of enough of
such places to know almost exactly
what this would be like. There'd
be long steep and dirty staircase
leading up to the corridors on each
of three floors. There'd be no light
on the staircase, but there'd be one
small, unshaded bulb in each cor
ridor to light the entrances to at
least 10 rooms on each floor. One of
those dismal rooms would be her
home.
Gale Is Irritated.
When he got back to his own
apartment, vi was already in the
kitchenette preparing supper. She
said, Hello" when he came in, and
kept on with her work.
Gale pushed his hat to the back
of his head and went out and leaned
against the sink, facing his wife.
Whats it all about?" he asked
Aatly.
Il don't know. You tell me" vi
continued seasoning a couple of
chops, preparatory to dropping them
in the pan that was heating on the
stove.
you ran out in a huff this noon
because gave you lesson in ordi-
nary medical ethics. You left me
with lot of detail work to do and
was extremely busy. 1t wasn't fair,
and I'd like to know why you did it."
vi was extremely self-possessed.
There was no trembling to her hands
as she went about her work, and
there was thin smile fitting around
her lips. Her dark hair was in
lustrous, smooth order, except for
couple OF strands that dropped in
tiny circles against the white of her
neck. The frilly pink apron was in
bright and CHEEKY contrast against
her plain blue frock.
I'm flattered that you missed me-"
she said lightly. "I just thought I'd
take the afternoon of. I went to a
movie"
Gale stared at his wife for a
moment in irritation. Then he
abruptly left her, went and hung ur
his hat and settled in his armchair
to read the paper. But it was much
like reading the medical journals
earlier that day: he couldn't con-
centrate and he wasn't in a frame
of mind to try. What the devil got
into woman to make her act like
that? Why couldn't she come right
out and say what was in her mind
There wasn't any other way to gel
the thing Strengthened out, if any
thing needed Strengthening What
did she take him for, anyway? Ger
tainly she couldn't seriously think
that he and Mrs. Smith-Oh, non.
sense!
British Raid Nazi Channel Ports.
All, that was something. About time
they started dishing it out, that'C
show those-Why couldn't they just
sit down and talk it over? What
was the matter with a woman tc
make her act like that2 Supper was
surely going to be a happy little
affair tonight, all right.
vi Raises Issue.
"Okay, Gale. Everything's ready
Then they were seated at the small
table, vi still looking bright and
CHEEKY, Gale with a dark face, intent
upon his meal.
I'm afraid I've made a serious
mistake, Gale" she said after a few
moments. She said it calmly
thoughtfully.
"You mean you're going to give
up your career?" Gale said, simu-
lating an expression of amazement
"One word of criticism is going to
change the whole course of your
| life?"
mo, yod don't understand. And
it isn't matter to be taken sc
lightly. I mean that I've made q
serious mistake in the choice of 9
husband" She continued to eat
showing no sign of emotional stress
Gale laid down his knife and fork
Does Mrs. Smith have anything
to do with this, my dear?" he asked
quietly.
"You aren't making enough
money to support us both," vi re-
piled, meeting Gales eyes for the
first time during the meal.
Support" Gale exclaimed
What are you talking about? The
girl is penniless and is in no con-
dition to work and she has to have
something to live on. I have no
alternative. have to give her
something to live on"
Just out of pure humanitarian
ism?" The question had a sarcastic
ring that angered Gale and his
hands gripped the edge of the table.