Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-04-12

for the wide-brimmed hat. In the end
the gale got the hat, and a towering
red truck nearly got Ruanna. II It
hadn't been for the traffic cop, always
on the lookout for jay-walkers, and
red-inccd man who leaped from the
sidewalk and clutched her she, instead
of her hat might have been crushed.
"Rnnnna ~ gasped her hero. ard
have known that head of red-top any
where. Ruanna lifted her dazed eyes
TO Dan Simmons. you're white as
a ghost, he went on. "Come with
me-" lie drew her into a restaurant
and placed her in chair at small
table. you need good cup of cof
fee to brace you up" he said
The coffee did wonders for Ruanna.
Her color came back. She was able
to talk little and eat Il bit of the
food Dan ordered for her. Meanwhile
he chatted in lively way. He was
selling gasoline engines, lived here in
the city now. Ma was gone and, hon
est, he hadn't had decent meal
since. Ma was dandy cook. Guess
he'd never find anybody like her.
Well, he was all alone now-passed
through Ruanna's town once In awhile,
but was too darned rushed to look
up old acquaintance. Was glad to
see her Sorry she'd lost her hat.
Hadn't she better get another? There
was millinery shop next door. He'd
wait her for her When she got back
they'd go to n matinee.
Ruanna's blush was cruel. She had
no money to buy hat. Her agonlzed
glance fell on her thin purse. Dams
glance fell there, too. He whipped
out roll of bills, peeled Off couple.
"Herel Let me lend you this. You
can pay me back when you get around
to It,"
Ruanna, excited and delighted,
found herself in possession OF 500
Was that mans idea Of what won.
ans hat cost? Why, she had never
spent more than S. for hat even In
war times. But when she got inside
Of Loulse's shop she found that even
the simplest cloche was terribly OK.
penslve. And wouldn't 1T at that.
"You've got too much hair. DO you
know what I'd do II 7 were your"
The pretty saleswoman used her soft
est, most persuasive tone, ard step
upstairs to Freddles beauty shop
and get nice bob and finger
wave. Then come back and buy this
hat" She twlrled the charming little
hot uVA,,SII
like It," she smiled.
Ruanna swallowed hard, once
twice MAY use your telephonel"
she asked.
She called Dan at the restaurant.
Yes, he'd walt Take her time. Ru!
anna flew upstairs.
An hour later Dan Simmons wait
ing ended He had read the paper,
looked at his watch, smoked two cl-
gars and walked up and down the
sidewalk, Tuning with Impatience and
cursing himself for fool. why on
earth had he promised to wait for that
woman? lie could have had her ten
years ago II he'd wanted her.
Ruanna was approaching. SO changed
that he didn't know her just at first
Clever Fredette had fixed up more
than her hair. She had beautined Ru.
anna's face and soul. This Ruanna
was worth looking at, assure you.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting so
long, Dan" casually spoke this new.
Independent, assured Ruanna.
Ruanna was late getting back to
the car Mrs. Powell fretted at least
ten minutes before she arrived.
"Good graclousl Why-you've been
shinglcd! How'd you get along? Uncle
John took me to the SWEETEST place. He
had lady with him. the SWEETEST
dame. He's going TO marry her.
was awfuIly glad you didn't go, Ru-
anna. She-she sort Of made me feel
uncomfortable-sh was so aristocrat.
ic. Runnna You aren't listening to
word I'm saying"
Ruanna laughed apOlogetlcally.
az was wondering n you'd lend me
that lemon-ple recipe you were telling
me about. the other day." she said.
''Tm going TO have n friend take lunch
with me next week, and want to give
him something special"