The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-03-18

with, q SeTIOuS ana DuSlneSSllke air.
"I've new Job and mean to learn
so much that / won't have time to-
day"
Nonsense" he protested. Sure
ly you aren't saying you prefer a
career to me. I'll be back at IL
sharp"
Ellen saw that he did not for a
minute believe she had refused his
invitation.
you don't understand" she per-
sisted alf-heartedly. II simply
can't 60 With you to-day. It's my
first day at this job - I'm to be a
buyer = or an assistant buyer. I
should say.
Her tone rose triumphantly. But
II was evident that being a
buyer meant nothing to Larry.
They had reached the elevator.
When Ellen rang the bell he be-
came convinced of her, earnestness,
and, at the same time. abruptly
cross.
"You aren't telling me-" he began
in annoyance, that after I've hung
around in that stuffy basement all
morning waiting for you / can't
take you to lunch because of some
stupid job!"
"Just that" she assured him.
II certainly rate with you, don't
I? I've q job too, you >. ow. Three
orders for pictures and l haven't
done tap on any of them. But ]
was glad enough to take time off,
Maybe you're better able to take
time off," she replied somberly.
The elevator descended and the
doors opened. Early shoppers strag-
gled inside. Ellen said stiff good
by. For a moment she thought he
meant to say something further,
then he bowed coldly and moved
away.
Larry has destroyed her pleasure
in the new job. The afternoon
seemed long and dull and profitless.
Lorene's chatter and constant ref
erences to Steven Barclay grew dis
proportionately irksome. Ellen va
guely realized that she wanted ia
love Steven and to- hate Larry and
that much Of her discomfort and
dissatisfaction with the world was
due to her double failure. The real
ization did not better matters.
That night at Dreamland she did
not expect Larry. All the afternoon
she had tried to make herself un-
derstand that II was entirely pos
slble she might never see him
again. So the evening was stale
and fiat to her; the dancing boring
and her own popularity boring. She
hated dancing with the men who
frequented Dreamland. hated the
pink and gilt hall, the tinny, mech
anical music. But 1t was her job
even IL It was to last only short
time now-and she set herself re-
solutely at 1t.
Toward 10 o'clock she was dane
ing with blank-faced, blue-eyed
chap and attempting to ignore his
solled collar and dubious CONVERSE
ton. when she happened to glance
toward the stairway to see Larry
entering. Her heart missed beat;
her feet missed a step. Larry
caught her eye. The two young
people smiled contentedly and t.
Ellen the night burst into bloom
She could badly contain herself
until the dance was over and she
could rush to the table where Larry
was impatientlys awaiting her.
I'm awfully sorry about this
morning." he said Immediately.
That's all right" she told him
feeling irrationally, idiotically hap
Ply. .
mo, it isn't all right. There
more to 1t than that" he said sud
denly after they were both sitting
I'm very much afraid that you ant
I had better watch our step"
His expression was odd and con
strained. He leaned over and begai
to play with a bangle she wore Of
her arnf. She watched him expec
family.
What do you mean?" she asked
what do you mean?" he achoet
foolishly.
Ellen looked at him sharply. She
wondered for a moment II he hat
been drinking. The lights had beer
dimmed for a moonlight waltz. The
single shaft of light from the arti
fetal moon fell across the table bu
face was in the shadow.
IT just wanted to know" she re-
sumed in a strained way, what yot
meant by saying that we'd have tt
watch our step?"
"Oh, that"
He laughed. The lights came VI
as the music stopped and she saw
that his mysterious confusion hat
left him. She saw too that he hat
not been drinking. He was simple
and natural. at ease again.
Don't you know, Ellen?v
"No, don't know"
Her heart was beginning t.
pound.
well, was jealous as the yer!
deuce this morning" he confessed
smiling at her. Jealous of you
lob and you're being more inter
ested In that than in having luncl
with me! You know what tina
means. / suppose?"
"What?"
He drew a long breath.
Don't you think it's possible 20,
and l might fall in love?" he asket
with an uncertain laugh.
What If we did," she demand
ed carelessly, not quite liking tn,
lightness of his tone.
| That's be the devil all around
wouldn't it?" he said nervously.
81 suppose it would"
MY mother"
you mean your mother ha
other plans for you" Ellen inter
rupted. well. so has mine for me!
| Her tone matched his for indif
| ference but she was furious.
That's easy enough to see.' h
laughed. Remember that time sh
put me out of your apartment? Sh
hates me. doesn't she?"
"She doesn't think you worl
enough" said Ellen pointedly.
Besides that you've probably
dozen other charming sweethearts.
he said easily, seeming to lose in
| terest.
"only one she assured hin
coolly.
/ He leaned over and caught he
| hands, laughed and accused her o
trying to make him jealous. AS tn
girl laughed with him she wonder
| ed forlornly II anything. anythin
| would ever make him serious.
! Ito BE COntinucd)
|