The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-04-13

she won't because know. The peo pie you know will call me a taxi dancer. I heard Lona Clendenning that night, you remember-that night at your studio. But all that just doesn't seem important! The important thing is that love you. Larry"
 After that they talked and talk ed. Dancers. chattering and laugh ing, drifted past the little table but to Ellen the others were only dim shapes, vague as the music which seemed to come from so far away. Only Larry was real. Only Larry and the fact that he loved her and the swift plans they were making.
 They arranged their own future and Molly's and Mikes. Ellen laughed at Larry's desire to adopt a ready-made family but she was touched by it, too. It would be the best thing in the world for him declared irresponsible Larry. He really meant it. They talked of his work and of how Ellen would help him. Mentally they hung his pictures on the walls of the Metropolitan and on the walls of the Louvre. They selected a place to live and furnished it com pletely. They talked of the years to come.
 Afterward they stepped out on the balcony to watch the rosy fiaring lights of Broadway and Larry laughed excitedly because the glow turned Ellen's hair to a deep sullen red. As she leaned dreamily against him, Ellen thought that tomorrow she would tell him of the one thing which had not been mentioned.
 They met, as arranged, next morning, on Fifth Avenue. He was late and as Ellen sat waiting in the lobby of a smart hotel she grew absurdly nervous. What had delayed him? What could have delayed him? She tried to .ap- pear easy and as much at home as the others about her. She kept her small hands folded and her small feet quiet and averted her eyes from the clock.
 All at once she saw Larry swing through the revolving doors. Again the day was glorious! He glanced hurriedly about and caught her eyes. Both smiled with infinite content and Larry moved swiftly across the room.
 Were starting out with the biggest chrysanthemum you ever saw" he said, tucking her hand under his arm. Its in a window around the corner. An exact match Ellen, for your hair!"
 A moment later they were point ing out to an interested florist the bloom in question. The great, shaggy, russet flower was pinned firmly to Ellen's coat collar.
 She was in ecstacy on the trip down the avenue. To have Larry here. to know that he was proud of her and that he loved her was incredible. The air was cool and sweet, and the sky bright, electric blue and the sun So brilliant that all the busses seemed freshly paint ed. The shop window had never dis played merchandise more enticing, more tempting, more desirable. El- len wanted to dance and sing. h. stead she sedately matched her pace to his and felt the petals of the shaggy mum against her cheek with every step.
 They reach Tkirty-fourth street and a small select jewelry shop, shop so aristocratic that for de- cades it had carried no sign to guide the shopper. As she walked down long, silken rug into an at- mosphere of almost cathedral-like austerity, Ellen tried to look cas- ual and dfgnified but did not suc- ceed. She looked exactly what she was-a rapturous. half embarrassed d young girl with flushed cheeks and brilliant eyes.
 Larry was as absorbed in the purchase as she was. The two bent their elbows on the shining counter and pondered over dozens of rings while the watching clerk suppressed amused smiles. The engagement ring was an easy choice, clear blue diamond guard ed by emeralds. Both exclaimed at once over it. Larry said they did not need box. Ellen trembled, blushed, agreed. Glory flashed on her finger and glory flashed in her heart.
 Selecting the wedding ring was more difficult. The clerk brought out second tray and then a third. All the rings were dignified and simple, so similar that to any ex- cept lovers there would seem to be no choice.
 Here it is!'' Larry cried out suddenly.
 He held up slim platinum cir clet set with diamonds. It might have been twin of the ring at home that was locked in Ellen's dressing table. Her face paled with the memory.
 Don't you like it?" Larry asked surprised. "Try it on.I
 Ellen's hands were clasped be- hind her back.
 ''Why I = don't you think it would be better to have the we'd ding ring more simpler" she ap- pealed, confused and horribly frightened.
 "The young lady is right broke in the clerk.
 Ellen sent him misty. grate- full smile. After a moment of dis appointment Larry agreed that perhaps they should chose some thing plainer. The something plainer'' was not platinum at all but white gold carved with minute orange blossoms. They left the ripp to he enpraved