The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-11-10

i DINE. lAlgA
 Some revealing gowns are
 good in spots I wish you could have seen MT Brentford. standing there with his mouth open, like surprised old fish!"
 Gosh, Pat. I'm afraid it will cost you your job"
 Anyway" Pat said, I'm glad l did it." She was slipping out of her clothes. In her sleeveless | gown, her blond curls loosened, she sat on the edge of the bed. What business had the manager to fix a date up for me. anyway? l Why didn't you beg off then? You might have said your fiance was in town. Or that you were sick"
 Tried it," Pat said grimly, but 1t didn't work. I had feeling something was up when I walked into that office and saw this old | fellow waiting in the next room. | So I said to MT Livingston I hope everything was all right this after noon. If anything was wrong. you'll have to excuse me because I've been feeling i'll all day" I call that smooth" Lois said. Well, he just smiled, Lois, and said, I didn't notice anything wrong. I thought you looked swell in the white evening dress. MT Brentford, one or our best cus- toners, thought so too.' Then he went on about how he was sure was going to prove myself 8 val- uable employe and before long he'd have to speak to the cashier | about a little raise. And some more hokum about expecting CO., operation from all the employees and how we were all like one big | family. Then he said this Brent ford wanted to run out for dinner | and a show and he knew he could count on me to entertain such a good friend of the firm for a few hours"
 Smooth, too," said Lois. And then he dated you up with the old gink. Maybe this Brentford's a good scout after all, and won't tell. Maybe he's so vain he'll be ashamed to tell your boss he didn't | make a hit with you" | Maybe" But pats tone was doubtful.
 Nothing unusual happened dur ing the next morning. Pat became more hopeful as the customary routine progressed. Lunch hour came and still there were no signs of a storm brewing. But little later Jane drew Pat tp one side. The look on her face warned that trouble was on the way. What happend last night?" Jane asked.
 T couldn't go through with it."
 There wasn't any reason for you to get the jitters. Lots of girls have let Tony Brentford pay for a swell dinner for them. When he found they weren't ambitious. that was all there was to it. All MT Livingston expects is tact, so 1 therell be no hard felings."
 Break the bad news," Pat said abruptly.
 Well, you cost the firm a nice order. And nice orders aren't picked up very often these days. Brentford cancelled everything. You haven't a chance to stay. Any thing in sight?"
 Pat shook her head. "Only Null ligan stews for awhile" I'm sorry, Pat" Admiration and pity were mingled in Jane's eyes. MT Livingston told me to ask you to stop by the cashiers desk this afternoon"
 Thanks, Jane."
 We'll. that was that. At five Pat got her envelope. Inside were sev- eral crisp bills. her salary to date, and brief memorandum attached. After to-day your services will not be needed"
 Pat read it with a very little smile about her mouth, reached up to pull her small hat to a more nonchalant angle, and bravely walked out of the building. She would have to find a cheaper place to live at once. Lois could get someone else to come in to the apartment. And Pat would have to find job.
 She located the cheaper place without trouble = fairly large room with cubby-hole and gas plate where she could prepare her meals. The two windows would be comfort and compensate for | many other deects and de- ficiencies. Pat decided. There were faded curtains at the windows, faded rug and mismatched furni- ture, but the place was clean and 1t was at the rear of the building. | That was desirable because if made it quieter.
 Not nervous, are you Joan?" | Backstage, Barney was smiling | down at her.
 Just little," Joan confessed. No need. You'll go over all right" He was smiling, pleased with her appearance, confident al- l ready savoring success. He reached forward, caught her hands in his and patted them reassuringly. They were Barney and Joan now. In the week, acquaintance had | ripened into an almost unbelievable | friendship. Barney had taken the initiative, saying simply. "I'm go- | ing to call you Joan. It would be | foolish to call you Miss Waring when feel know you better than any girl I've ever met" And then with the same directness, he had said, You'll call me Barney, too, won't you?" Joan, to her amaze ment, had found it surprisingly easy.
 Barney was simply irresistible. He was genuine, Joan realized. coupled with a strong, personal magnetism, She was more att tracted to him than she had been to any man in long while.
 There had been several dinners at a charming English type inn, tucked away along the country side, not far from Greenwich. And two long drives through green hills with sudden glimpses of blue lakes.