The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-09-24
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W49 &4A 4EA&6AAkA4Ap AAf$kW88tgAC and exciting fun. They went down into the handsome hotel lobby. Norma was self conscious. imagined on her. And why not when such a l1andsome, distinguished youth as Mark TrAvers was by her side? Her cheeks flushed.
 l They stepped into a taxicab and were whisked away into traffic. Here on either side. of the street were familiar buildings and yet everything looked different. Marks hand pressed the girls. He stole a quick kiss and made her blush more deeply.
 Happy, kid?"
 She assured him to his complete satisfaction that she was. Another 10 minutes and they had arrived before the impressive white stone front of "Fanchon's." Twin show windows exhibited each a single frock. Even the name, "Fanchon." on the inconspicuous metal tablet hinted at exciusiveness and ex- pense.
 Norma hesitated, wondering if she had the courage to enter such a place. Travers had turned to the cab driver. Wait for us" he in- structed.
 They went into the shop and a svelt, black-satin clad woman came forward to meet them. Somehow Norma made it known that she wanted to buy a travelling dress or perhaps a suit. She was in a fever of self-consciousness, aware of the shabbiness of her costume in com parison with those about her. She thought of the taxtcab outside, its meter clicking away dimes and quarters. What a, way to shop! Marks face smiling, 1oomed be- fore her and she was treasured. They bought the travelling suit "a gray tweed with threads of blue in 1t and snug, trimly fitted collar and cuffs of tight-curled krimmer. They selected gray be- cause Mark reminded Norma she had worn gray the first time he saw her. There was a black hat that came down closely over the head but hid none of the glory of the soft-wavfng hair about her face. It was a beautiful costume and fitted without alteration. Fan chon brought out even shoes and purse and gloves to go with the tweed suit.
 The minutes were flying. Norma, getting into her new finery hur- riedly, reappeared from the dress ing room.
 I'm ready now, Mark"
 Ha ho 1;e ert, Af frock which she must have-an evening dress of lovely peach-col- ored soft stuff with shoulders dropped like an 1860 belle's and beneath the bouffant skirt bit of lace-trimmed petticoat.
 "0h, but we don't have time" the girl protested.
 'Is it the right size?" Mark asked the saleswoman.
 Tt should be. The young lady is so slender. She wears the gowns exactly as they have been created"
 "We'll take it," Mark announced. Trust to luck it will ft.'
 And, Madam, what about sports clothes-?" suggested the saleswo- man, emboldensd bythis wholesale manner of purchasing.
 When they finally emerged from Fanchon's barely Is minutes re- mained before departure of the train for Blue Springs. Boxes of assorted sizes jostled about them in the taxicab. Marks roll of bank bills was s425 thinner.
 The taxi driver compiled with Travers' instruction to ''step on it." The cab careened through the crowded streets, turned cornors on two wheels, jolted to abrupt, breath taking stops for traffic signals, and discharged them at last at the cab entrance of the huge rail- way station.
 Fifty seconds to make it!" Mark whistled sharply. Red cap!' he shouted, Red cap!"
 Two colored boys rushed up and loaded themselves with the packages. Mark thrust a bill at driver whose eyes widened as he realized its denomination. Then with the boys in red caps leading Norma and Mark ran pell-mell for the train gates.
 A brakeman was shouting "All aboard!" All aboard!" for the last time as they swung onto the car. Breathless. they founder ed to seats in their compartment. The colored boys dropped the lug gage and made a swift retreat. The train had begun to move, was gradually gathering speed.
 Norma looked at Mark.
 We've got here!" was all she could manage to gasp. She raised one hand to straighten the little black hat that had been pushed back at a foolish angle in the run for the train.
 There came a tap at the door. Mark answered. It was the con- ductor. Something about the tickets needed to be settled. Only a mo- ment and the couple were alone again.
 Norma had discarded the trouble