The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-28
SUZANNE TALKS
CHAPTER xxx


 Martha Marshall dressed very carefully for BiIls eyes, that Sat urday morning after the accident She creamed and powdered her face, trying to obliterate the long red scratch on her cheek. All the while, her fingers trembled with anxiety.
 Was it only because he wanted to see her that Bill had managed to get this unexpected pass? Or was it because Eugene told him that Paul had come?
 Eugene said Bill had been sur- priSed. A chill little shiver crawled down her spine. Surprise was probably mild as deScrip- tion of what Bill felt.
 Then she brought herself up sharply. Surely Bill wasn't going through the suspicious and the doubts and the fears that she'd lived through herself! It would never occur to Bill to imagine anything about Martha and Paul.
 Or - her fingers, fumbling with the buttons ill the back of her blouse, stopped suddenly - had Suzanne really dared to carry out her wild threat? Had she actually appeared at camp?
 She couldn't eat breakfast. The phone ringing made her jump. Eugene answered it. With a grunt he put it down. For you. It's Elliott, at the hospital. Must have had phone put in his room!" Helen's room, at the same hos pital, had no phone.
 When she heard Paul's voice, a weakness came over her. Are you all right? How do you feel?"
 There's nothing the matter with me- said Paul. He sounded so exactly like himself! As if he were in his own office. But I've been nearly out of my mind wor- rying about you. How are you, Martha? I thought I'd killed you with my criminal carelessnesS."
 I'm practiclly perfect,' she said. "The hospital snubbed me. Paul, Bills coming from camp. We'll both be up to see you in little while"
 'Bsll? How did he-?'
 He doesn't know about the ac- cident yet. He called last night Whil we were out" She went on, uncertainty, I'm so afraid Suzanne may have"
 She wouldn't have dared" he cut in. "She was just talking and lost her head. Don't think about it.
 Even as she held the phone, she heard the children shouting out side. Here's Uncle Bill, and he's a sodjer! Daddy, Daddy, Uncle Bills a sodjer.'
 Bills here" she said. "Goodby we'll be there in little while"
 She ran to the door, the swift singing happiness that always came { at seeing. Bill coursing through her. S5c knew, in t2e swift moment be- fore she actually saw him, that this joy that could turn her blood to water. this sweet delight and keen allveness, could never come for her with anyone else. And she prayed, achingly, that nothing would ever change it for Bill - ever spoil it for either of them.
 "Darling!" She threw herself into his arms, her cheek with the alarming scratch against his shoul- der. Perhaps he wouldn't notice 1t right away. His arms, tight around her, made everything all right once more. The sense of panic which the accident had brought-the nebulous fears which had gnawed at her this morning were gone. Darling, I'm so glad you came. Oh. Bill, do love you sol"
 Honey he cried. Martha, sweet. Here, let me look at you" He held her away from him, his eyes on her face with the old hunger and eagerness. And then, like a blow, he saw the scratch. Martha, what happened? Where did you get that scratch?"
 Behind them, Eugene was grim ming sardonically. Before he had 3 chance to speak, Martha told Bill quickly, Its nothing. I'll tell you later. Come in, let's catch our breath first. Are you hungry?"
 See here, kid. what's been go- ing on?" Bill was seriously alarmed, and his eyes commanded her.
 T was in a little accident" she admitted reluctantly. Paul and I were driving last night, and"
 Last night? I wondered what made him come up here, when Eugene told me on the phone"
 He brought her her paycheck," said Eugene. Then they went for ride and first thing I know, he's in the hospital and man brings Martha back, knocked silly"
 T wasn't knocked silly! I was only scrtached up a little. It was unavoidable. We've turned into