The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-05-11


 eaten every single meal alone!" When Jim returned he was told about the impromptu picnic" and appeared to approve. He went to his room to clean up, leaving Gypsy newspaper and several magazines. Later he set up the card table and brought up tray loaded with sil- yer and dishes.
 At six o'clock they had dinner served on the smalT table beside the window. There was cool breeze stirring and over the tops of the trees famed a brillian sum set. Orange shaded to deep rose and then to violet. The whole west ern sky became a burst of f1amboy- ant color.
 Gypsy wore a sleeveless white silk tennis dress. Her hair, instead of being pinned in knot, was fas- tened at the back of her neck and the ends fell in a curling mass"
 Do you mind dining up here?" she asked.
 Like it! It's lonesome down stairs"
 "Really?" The girl smiled as though she were pleased. "Oh, I
  Hollingsworth's going to bring me crutch tomorrow. He came this morning and said it would be good for me to try walking about the room. My, I never dreamed anyone could be so excited about walking a few steps. In another week he siad I ought to be able to walk without it. Another whole week! Isn't that dreadfully long time?'
 You're lucky it's as soon as that"
 The girls face had sobered. "Yes," she agreed, "f suppose l am."
 After their cantaloupe they had hot broiled chops with buttered asparagus and roasting ears and the mullins which Matilda made so deliciously light and crusted with golden brown. There was a pitcher of iced tea with sprigs of mint in it. Gypsy refilled Jim's glass.
 Mills will be back next week" he announced. Tt looks as though I may get my vacation this summer after all."
 "oh. I'm so glad. You really do need it."
 What would you think of driv- ing up into Canada the middle of next month? We could stop few days in Montreal but my idea is to hit off by ourselves into some of the smaller places that aren't filled with the vacation crowd. We could drive when we wanted to and stop whenever we found a place that looked interesting. I don't mean rough it exactly. Stay at good ho- tels-"
 +, ,,.1r | I1o IN,,e q Gypsy told him with shining eyes.
 "The way things look now I'll be able to get away about the 15th."
 They planned the vacation eagerly. After they had finished dinner and the dishes and table had been taken away Jim went down to the library and returned with big atlas and road maps. Together they studied over these for another hour. They were still talking about the motor trip when he said good night and went to his room.
 During the next three days Gypsy's sprained ankle healed rap idly. Dr Hollingsworth a brought the crutch. The girls first attempts to walk with it were amusing but presently she learned to hobble about the room. She no longer felt helpless.
 On Sunday Jim carried her down. stairs and they spent the afternoon on the cool, shaded porch. During these days when she was so depend- ent upon him for companionship Jims attitude toward Gypsy seemed to change. He had always been at tentive in an impersonal way. Now he seemed more concerned, more thoughtful.
 Deliberately the girl put Marcia Phillips out of her mind. Gypsy felt that broodings over Marcia and imaginary wrongs had already caused enough trouble. It was di- rectly responsible for the automo- bile accident in which she had so narrowly escaped serious injury to say nothing of damaging com ment.
 When Marcia, clad in delicate pasel costumes, passed the house and Gypsy saw her from the win brave resolutions went slipping.
 On such occasions Gypsy told herself: You've made an idiot of yourself. Now don't do it again! There's nothing that girl can do to you unless you pave the way for it by sitting here and pitying yourself. Stop it, Gypsy. Stop it at once!'
 Usually these seedlings were helpful. She never mentioned Mar cias name to Jim and he as scrupulously avoided it.
 The third evening after Gypsy had begun to use the crutch she hobbled out to the driveway where Jim had parked the roadster. He helped her into the seat and for an hour and a half they drove over country roads with the night wind cool and refreshing, beating against There was a full moon. The pave- ment stretched ahead of them like a gleaming ribbon of silver and the fields at either side were almost as bright as in daylight.
 Gypsy felt that she had never en- joyed a drive so much. She told Jim that as he helped her into the house later and he looked pleased.
 The days slipped by and on Thursday, just two weeks after the crash, Gypsy took her first step unsupported by the crutch. She rested and later in the day walked a few steps again. On Sunday she was able to move about the house, though she was very careful and held to the railing go- ing up and down the stairs. By the middle of the week she was sure enough of herself to make a trip down town to shop. There were a few things she wanted for the vaca- ton trip. Of course there was plenty of time ahead to buy them but she liked the thought of being ready.
 The house was to be closed and Matilda would spend the three weeks with her brothers family.
 Gypsy came into the kitchen Saturday morning carrying sheaf of golden glow. The yellow blos-