The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-05-08
ONE FOR THE
MONEY
o, LOUISE HoInE


But you haven't heard IL al,
Julie"
Well >"
when he got nasty I went
about my work He had put on
lounging robe and was getting
his suit ready for the cleaners. In
the pocket Of his coat was bank
book. There are two deposits. both
dated within the last month. They
amounted 10 over 700 dollars.
Where is he getting this money
Julie7 Why hasn't he told me -
Her handkerchief tore with q rip
ping sound.
Did you ask him
Yes" YEARLY. Il asked him.
What did he say"
He jerked the hank book
out Of my hand. He said .
man was entitled 10 a little
privacy" Again Enid dissolved
In tears. ut isn't fair, Julie"
she sobbed. Eve worked and
worked and paid and paid"
why do you suppose he gave
you the roll of bills the other
night" Julie asked thoughtfully.
Was it the first time ,"
mo. He's come home with So
called winnings three times lately.
He's up to something, he's trying
to blind my eyes
Julie shook her head. II don't
believe that's IT," she said. IN his
own peculiar way he's been help
ing with the expenses.
But why should he keep
several hundred dollars from
me-" Anger dried Ends tears.
81 know much more about
handling money than he does"
Maybe he's saving it for some-
thing special" Julie hazarded.
Where is he getting it"
II wouldn't know that"
Suddenly Enid crumpled IN her
chair. II can't stand it," she
walled. Hes planning to leave
me. I know he is. There's some
one else.
Hes been restless and discon-
tented for a long time. He's been
short with me-disagreeable and
sarcastic. What shall l DOH.
what shall I do ?"
There Is one thing you
must not do" Julie told her
sharply. Don't jump to ridic-
ulous conclusions. There's an
explanation for all this hut
you can't get II out of Mike
by nagging.
Pretend that nothing has hap
pened. let 1t ride for a few days"
She wanted to add. And for good
ness sake, leave the poor man
alone"
They both realized at the same
instant that Mike stood in the
apartment door. How long had he
been there? What had he over
heard? He was glowering down
at them. He carried a hat in his
hand and had changed to street
clothes.
Come in, Mike" Julie said
He ignored her. saying insult
ingly to Enid, so you had to carry
our difficulties to the neighbors.
Haven't you grain of intelli-
gence ?" This was most surpris-
ing. coming from Mike.
Enid had patiently, andN
quite openly, gone on the as
sumption for a long time that
he was the one who lacked
intelligence. I'm going out"
he said fatty.
Enid was at his side. clinging to
him, begging, pleading, promising.
Don't go, darling. I won't ask
another question. You shall do
exactly as you please. But don't
leave me. I'll go mad if you leave
me"
I'll go mad If I stay" he re-
turned coldly.
Julie said quietly, Really. Mike,
I didn't know you could be so dis
courteous. After all, Enid is your
wife. She has a right to demand
some sort of explanation. It isn't
that she's curious. She's worried
sick. can't you see that"
II suppose she is" he said
with tired patience. Julie re-
ceived a distinct impression
that he was disappointed
rather than angry. Was it be-
cause Enid had caught him at
some scheme before it was
completed?
I'm interested. too" Julie went
on. "A girl is naturally interested
when her father comes I'D with
700 dollars. the same father not
having had a red cent since old
man depression knocked his ears
down"
She tried to speak lightly make
a joke Of it. What have YOU been
up to, mister ," she asked
His eyes. tired and aimless for
so long, blazed into hers. I'm so
darn sick of being molly-coddled
smothered with love" ne grated
Everything I do, everything 1
say is put down in a book TO be
eonned over. Wen, you can both
SIT and con over where I got that
500 until you get tired Of con-
ming. I'm going out NAV be
back tonight and I may not. Good
night"
Into the silence which fol-
lowed his erff Enid -