Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1942-02-26
CHAPTER v

"1'l get it for you," Paul offered.
"And let Karl know you're taking
me home? Oh no! I'll go myself. )"
Joan wondered why everything
seemed to interfere with her ro-
nance with Karl. Both Paul and
Eric seemed bent on making trou-
BILE. But she could not be rude to
Paul. After all, Karl seemed to
like him.
The door of the club was unlocked
as she slipped in and hurried down
the corridor. Afterwards she won
dered what instinct prompted her
to pause for a moment as she stood
with her hand on the doorknob of
Karl Miller's office The hall was
dark, save for the crack of light
beneath the door. An open window
beside her led to a fire escape,
where the rain fell noisily on the
metal balcony. Perhaps her hest
tation was due to the fear that Karl
would be angry with her. Perhaps
the uneasy feeling that he might
discover Paul was taking her home.
But Joan paused and her heart was
beating heavily.
1t seemed long time but in real
ity it was only few seconds that
she stood there listening to Eric
Strom's voice.
"Ja, Karl! Bitte!"
Karls reply was harsh, "Nein,
Nein! Els list verboten."
Joan did not understand but in
stinctively her hand drew back from
the door. This was a private con-
versation. Karl would not want her
to hear
But her nervous gesture had made
small sound, which Karl Miller's
ear caught Immediately.
He threw open the door with vio-
lent gesture. "Joan! What are you
doing?"
81 forgot my purse" she faltered,
feeling Eric Strom's sardonic eyes
upon her.
Karps relieved smile treasured
her. "Of course! Here it is"
Joan made hasty exit, closing
the door quickly behind her, but as
she walked down the dark hall she
realized that she was shivering.
"TNhat's the matter?" Paul de-
manded as Joan got in the car.
you're as white as a ghost.''
"Nothing!' But the girls hands
were clasped nervously. Lets 60
home. Pleased"
Joan tried to tell herself that moth
ing was wrong. Just because Karl
and Eric Strom had been speaking
in their native tongue was no cause
Cor alarm. But she found herself
saying to Paul, ''Do you speak Ger
MANI"
$50 that's it! You overheard
KARL"
'You haven't answered my ques-
ton
"And l am not going to-" Paul
said firmly as he stopped the car in
front of her apartment building.
do you mind if come in for min
ute?'
Joan was not very gracious about
it. She was tired and confused. The
last thing she wanted was to be
forced to listen to Paul's subtle in
situations against Karl Paul, how
ever, settled himself comfortably
before the fire, lit cigarette and
said, Joan, why don't you quit
working at the club?"
She stood before him, green eyes
narrowed with anger, her head high.
81 don't think it's any of your bust
ness what l do or where l work.
T,,, firnI Of inc
you have anything against Karl Mil
Ter, why don't you come out and
say so? Why shouldn't I work for
him?"
She threw her hat on the table
and smoothed her hair in front of
the mirror over the fireplace. Paul
rose and touched her arm.
Tim sorry, Joan l guess | used
the wrong approach. l suppose from
your point of view Pm meddling
where l have no right to-
Their eyes met in the mirror. His
face was unsmiling, the brown eyes
serious. "You don't seem like the
type of girl to be working for Karl
Miller You don't belong at the
Club Elite!"
I'm sick of hearing everyone say
that. I'm old enough to know what
I'm doing. l don't need advice
from anyone
"You are very stubborn wom-
an" Paul laughed.
The room was cheerful in the fire
light. The polished brass shone and
large blue bowl of chrysanthe-
NUNS lent gay note to the somber
furnishings.
''Do you live h, e alone?"
with my sister Sybil."