The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-04-19

[ something in my eye"
 Well, now, let's see!" Mrs Mill | ton Tipped a big white handker- chief out of the top drawer and made a funnel or one corner. "Let | me at it. I'm great at getting those things out. Once Papa got a piece in his eye so big he made a joke out of it. He says, I bet if I called the Consumers company they'd sent out a truck for that lead of coal Let me see, Su- san."
 The girl winked her eyes rapid | fly, regaining her composure. l "It's all right now. honestly. l believe I've got rid of it.
 That's good" Mrs Milton beamed at her. You look very pretty tonight. I must say. ,Pink's your color. The boy'll be after you, Susan Carey. What say is what's the use of you bothering your head with all this business | course nonsense when you'll soon be stepping out and getting mar ried." Her laugh wheezed ont suddenly, disconcertingly. Susan smiled. In some obscure way the outlook had been light ened.
 I'm going to have to earn my living in the meantime" she said. Flows your aunt?'' Mrs Milton wanted to know.
 "Oh, Aunt Jessie's fine" Susan drowned little as she said it. Mrs Miltons' sharp eyes caught the frown.
 "As strict as ever?" she wanted to know.
 Susan flushed and nodded. Mrs 1 Milton clucked sympathetically ''Well, as I always say, I don't believe in bringing up girls too stiff-necked," she observed com. fortably. Mine always had a good time. There's Veronica who's got herself a good husband and a nice home out in Oak Park. And Grace out in Pasadena. My girls had lots of beaux and I encouraged 'em. believe in it. If you don't see they have a good time some body else will. And that may not be so good. Your Aunt Jessie's old style like my mother. My mother thought we ought to sit on the front steps, all in a row, until we were 3O." She laughed wheez- fly. Well, none of us did. Both myself and Lide-that's my young CT sister-eloped."
 Susan smiled in sympathy. But I don't particularly want to marry young," she. xplained. "I've got to work and help Aunt Jessie be- ooi ,ch ch ,.oiccd rd yxyo 1,nVs a lot. I just want little freedom and some fun.''
 That's right. That's right" Mrs Milton patted her on the shoulder. Now you run along back and start having some. There are some boys there who won't want to miss you in your pink dress"
 A bit reluctantly Susan obeyed. Rose Milton, a tall blond girl wear ing many blue ruffles. rushed up to her. The rugs in the big front room had been rolled back and four or five couples were dancing Not, to the music of the radio. A dark-haired young man was pound ing out "St Louis Blues at the pi- ano in the corner. He played with his whole body. Hands, feet. even his head moved to the rhythm. Su- san stared at him, fascinated. Rose led her toward the pianist Ben Lampman, here's the girl I told you about. Susan Carey. She's not nitwit like the rest of | us. She has brains. Talk to her" The young man stopped playing "St Louis Blues" in the very mid dle of a mournful phrase and jumped up. He was tall and lean and vaguely rumpled looking. Su- san put her slim hand into the crushing grip he offered her. Some one turned on the radio after mo- ment or two of grumbling on the part of the interrupted dancers and young Lampman murmured. "Want to dancer"
 Susan did. Although she had so few opportunities she danced well. Even this indifferent part nef could not spoil her pleasure in rhythm. The young man was the rangy sort who bumped into things and murmured Sorry every so often. Mrs Milton's front parlor, after all, was no ballroom. Chairs and tables leaned out from corners to trip the unwary passer- by. After a bit, rather flushed. Susan flopped into a chair and Ben Lampman famed her awkwardly.
 "Did-did anybody ever tell you that you looked like Joan Craw- ford?" he asked.
 Susan smiled and fluttered a glance upward from beneath long lashes. Yes" she murmured. 'I suppose like all the girls you want to go into the movies" he muttered, trying to make converse tion.
 "I hadn't thought about it," said Susan. I'm learning to be a big business girl"
 "That's terrible" parked Ben Lampman. "I think the men in the gay nincties were right. Wo- mans place is in the home." Susan stared. She thought he must be joking. But the young man was In deadly earnest.
 Makes me sick, seeing these swarms of young girls all over down town, morning and night" he said. "They ought to be Ia nice kitchens or taking care of | kids"
 aHIow sIi.iyv' drilled Rose Milton. overhearing this last. "Raily round. girls and boys, and listen to Ben rave. He's on the stump
 The young man rsddsnsd. Rose
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