Show The CLAY By I D. D WALSH DJ e J. J WALSH MASK MAS K Copyright Service I shall be a little late tonight Merrick told his wife as he threw out the clutch and slipped the gear shift into low Oh you'll Oh you'll be late lateT How HoPI late tate dear she asked with the color leaping Into Inlo her usually pale cheeks Impatiently he held his foot on the clutch Oh a couple of hours or maybe three I have to drive over to Speedwells Speedwell's after business and it may take me some time there Nora nodded All Ill I'll look for you when I see you OU dear Until he had driven five miles Merrick thought nothing of his wife nor her slight flush nor her words Now however they returned returned re reo re- re turned to him poi poignantly Why should she want to know just how late he would be What was she going to do with the time Why had the color sprung into her cheeks so so quickly Was it possible possible possible pos pos- sible that there was some one she would see in that time Nora was always busy all day between superintending superintending superintending su su- su- su the house looking after the children and giving her attention to certain social amenities amenities amenities amen amen- that could not be overlooked He remembered suddenly how Nora had smiled at young Mills atthe atthe at atthe the last Country club dinner Was it possible possible-cc possible could uld they they they-he he found himself driving on with set lips and glassy eyes His Noral Nora As the day passed Merrick managed managed man man- aged to call to mind some dozen cases where Nora had seemed more than slightly interested in some man other than her hus hus- band Yes he had probably lost her He had grown careless careless' and I this was his reward At closing time he had worked himself up into such a frenzy about the whole thing that he drove straight home instead of going to Speedwells He lie w was as home a half hour earlier than usual Minette the maid was at the thedoor thedoor thedoor door and her eyes frowned as she saw him Madame Is not not expecting expecting you yet yet she said falteringly in reply to his inquiry well No Ill I'll go right on up he said trying to be casual But It But it would be best if it you you you- began Minette Without reply he went up the staircase past her the veins in his throat swelling uncomfortably Throwing open the door of her room he stood on the threshold glaring There was a sudden yelp yelp hard hard hardly ly human human but but he reco recognized the tone as that of his wife And his wife's face gray face gray as ash ashl Well he lie said harshly Oh Merrick I thought you goIng going going go go- ing to be late she said lamely There is so little time during the day and I thought this would be a good chance to use my clay mask stuff And Nora wondered why it was that with the crumbling clay on her face her husband took her into his arms and affectionately caressed herIt herIt herIt her It just shows she told herself her her- herself self later that men dont don't care a arap arap arap rap for looks looks because because who could be pretty in a clay mask l |