Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-10-17

kHONOIONI and Maxine Murray
AVA were companions of circumstance
rather than choice. There was Max
ines job at the pattern counter of the
Twentieth Century department store.
Eight hours of the day she divided
her attention between a motley array
Of real ladies beyond the counter and
paper ladies' in style books. Evenings,
she experimental with her own scis-
sors and needle in pursuit Of the
charm and style which were so fam
boyantly displayed in the fashion
plates. Her mirror was compliment
vaguely insufficient.
Maxine longed for human apprecia-
ton, adventure, romance, love. She
found life a series of drab uninterest-
ing duties.
One evening, when she squeezed into
small cylinder Of space on an out
bound car, she thought. "I'll 20 home,
eat supper help with the dishes. sit
on the porch swing. rip the hastings
from my new dress Mother will read
the paper and rock. Next door old
Mr.. Cramer will cock his feet on the
railing and smoke and doze. Mrs.
Cramer will just sit. My goodness,
she'll finally call to mother, hasn't It
been warm today? This porch is a
relief. It Is just like the deck of a
boat"
Mrs. Cramer always said that. Max
Inc thought that boat deck would
harbor romance. She had read enough
stories to know that. But where was
romance on these porches, even though
old Mr.. Cramer did Joke her and
promise that one of these days he was
going to bring right smart looking
young fellow" who worked where he
did, home for supper?
Suddenly the street car gave lurch.
Somebody's elbow rammed Maxine in
the ribs. She clutched at strap,
lifted indignant eyes to the offender,
but when she saw him her anger van.
ished: he was tall and handsome and
apologize.
I'm awfully sorry" he said.
"That's quite all right" she replied.
and glanced hastily away. But her
eyes were like two truants. Flutter-
ing glances noticed that the stranger
was reviewing the contents of small
booklet. The picture on the cover
was Of a large boat. If one were for
innate enough to have such advan-
tages, she reflected, and could go on
summer cruises, then one might meet
INF manila lilyn fhfc inf
young man. Fog blinded the truant
eyes. Out of the mist appeared
face. old Mr.. Cramer's. He was grin.
ming and edging toward her.
swell. bless my boots" he said, &C.
complishing final shove, "the crowd
ON this car is something fierce.
thought I'd lost you"
Suddenly Maxine realized that Mr.. !
Cramer was not speaking TO her at |
all hut 10 the young man beside her. |
At that very moment. however, he |
canght sight of her Hello. Maxine"
he chuckled. Then in an aside. I'm |
bringing Romeo out for supper. Mrs. |
Cramer doesn't know It yet. hut. tut,
tut. what's the difference?'
Now he glanced slyly upward at
his towering guest "Meet my next
door neighbor. Miss Murray. Miss
Murray. this is Mr.. Grant"
After supper Maxine trembled with
excitement ITS suffocating inside, |
think I'll go out on the porch" she an
nOunrrd
"But the Dishes" demonstrated her
mother
"Oh. yes the Dishes" Maxine be.
gan to wash them savagely.
And when she had finished them she
hurried toward the porch door.
"ilcrr's you new DRESS" her mother
reminded her. avon were going TO
rip nlil the hastings. dear"
But Maxine Ignored the suggestion.
and gayly huliPrpd into the porch
swing.
II say. do You mind n come over
and sit in the swing with you for a
little while?" II was Mr. Grants voice
calling from the next porch.
"No. do" Her heart was spinning
like n top.
Mr. Grant hurdled across the dlvid-
ing railing. settled himself beside her.
Are you planning trip on the
lakes or an ocean voyage. maybe?'
she inquired by way Of opening con.
verSatiOn.
Some day. yes. but not yet" he
laughed Did you see the pamphlet
that ! was studying on the car? I
work in II travel bureau" he ex-
planned. "and this morning the boss
switched me over to the information
desk to take the place Of fellow
who's gone IN his vacation. SO many
people popped questions to me today
about cruises that thought I'd better
bring some pamphlets along this eve
ming and study them. You wouldn't
care to 90 over some Of them with
me, would your"
I'D love to-" beamed Maxine.
"Shall we embark on a summer voy-
age for Japan?" he laughed, lifting a
booklet.
Lets do" she murmured. And
after while. "You know, can al
most believe that this porch is the
deck Of boat"
81 can't imagine more perfect
voyage" he declared, NOR more
perfect fellow passenger. Now II I
had my way. we'd never come to port"
"And do you never get your way?
Maxine suggested softly.
"Almnsi always" he replied, and his
hand chased over hers. "But It's Up
to you h.is time, TO say If this Is only
u summer vOyage-Or lifetime"
And MaNlnps hand returned his
pressure