The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-05-04
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she said calmly. It's going good"
 Miserable. Susan stared at her.
 "Sky" Webb laughed foolishly. Lets move along, anyhow" he said. Lot O riff-raff here. We can go to Tony's Like Tony's bet ter. anyhow"
 What followed was to be a night mare in Susan's memory forever. The rocketing ride in the car to another noisy scene of hilarity, the band whose unrelenting music seemed never to come to an end, and wild bursts of laughter from the crowd at the next table. White faced, her eyes ringed fin shadows as the night unwound itself, Susan surveyed the scene. If this were pleasure, she'd be glad to take her share of misery.
 "I want to go home. .....I want to go home" she walled in her in- most heart, although outwardly she appeared contained and calm. How blessed, from this vantage. was the thought of the white haven of her narrow room, how marvel ously same the tiny house on the shabby street!
 And what would Rose think ? She would be frantic!
 Susan's head began to ache. A steady, deep throb of pain, 1t was. She smiled with difficulty and when she danced her feet were no longer light.
 What a little fool she had been! Why had she come?
 It was one o'clock. It was two. Through 1t all Ray remained pert, fresh and composed. She drank lit- tie. Ray didn't believe" in it. But the shifting scene did not shock or startle her. Ray was a true child of the pavements. Nothing both- cred her except the menace of fAun- popularity. It was enough to have "a date" for the evening. Where she might go or who her escort might be did not seem greatly to matter. Ray said she knew how to take care of herself" and Susan, glancing at her, decided that prob- ably she did.
 "But 1 don't belong here," Susan decided. This isn't what I want Somewhere there must be the things I've dreamed of--glamorous, romantic, places with music and gaiety that aren't cheap. This isn't it"
 At half past two they departed. In the car Waring tried to put his arm around her but Susan shrank away.
 "Don't like me, eh?" His laugh sounded foolish.
 She forced Il smile to her stiff lips She must not offend this man
 "Of course, I.do. But I'm nerv- ous about your driving. And It's so dark out here"
 Ray called, Don't worry about that. Jacks used to One-arm driV- ing, aren't you?"
 Alta girl. Alta baby!" That was Sky. Sky was almost nsleep on Rays shoulder. Warnings arm remained where 1t was though. Su- san shrank from 1t. They were on the outskirts of the city now. The little, mushroom houses of the truck gardeners huddled together. They passed a cemetery, the white stones arising up eerily in the gloom.
 "Tired, sweets?"
 Susan shook her head. The mans fingers gripped her slender arm. You're q nice kid and like you but you're only half alive. Come to and enjoy yourself. Don't be a crepe hanger"
 She said, "Pm sorry you think I spoiled everything"
 That's all right" Ills voice thicken, blurred again. Well paint the town some time. You'd be grand If you'd just let yourself go."
 Susan scarcely heard him. She was counting the blocks now. Eight ---six-four--they were almost home.
 "The next corner" she mur. mured, turning to Waring. Now that the dreadful evening was end ed she was almost effusive. TO be home, safo and sound, seemed too good to be true!
 Don't bother to get out with me-" she said hurriedly. She could see Roses figure n mere blur, on the porch. Poor Rose! There would have to be q great deal of explaining.
 Before Susan could open the car door and slip away she felt strong arms around her, n mouth pressed to hers.
 Waring murmured.
 Susan tore herself away, shaking in every limb.
 Oh, she hated him, she hated him for doing that!
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