The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1933-11-02
SYNOPSIS

has come TO memphis IN cOnnec.
zion with new textile plant owned
BARBARA COURTNEY, society
girl, Is schemlng TO win him away
nom Joan.
Barbara, IN order to show Joan
at = disadvantage, invites her TO a
q guest. Bnrbara's plans are suc-
cessful, Joan Is III at ease among
no many strangers. Misadventures
nile nm and finally, when she hears
several girls openly critlcixing her,
she decides 60 leave. the. house
party and drive home with JIM
WARFTEED, who admires her.
A month passes with no word
from Bob. Then one day on the
street Joan meets Bob with Bar
bara and an older man.
CHAPTER XVI
Joan fumbled blindly with the
lock of the car, frightened by
the tumult of her emotions.
A voice called, Here, Joan-let
mel"
She turned quickly and faced
Bob. He helped her into the car,
then stood by the still open door.
Joan wished unhappily that she
had listened to her mothers
warning, Better change into
something else before you go. You
might meet some Of your friends"
Haven't time" Joan had an
swered. whom would l meet,
breezlng around department
stores and browsing around IL
brAries?" She was wearing q
plain, dark dress that had seen
its best days. The dark beret had
seemed suitable when she left the
house on her round of tutoring.
The gray day had turned bright
and sunny with the capriciousness
Of spring weather, and the sun
had brought warmth. The dark
crepe had seemed hot and heavy
before she had reached the busi-
ness section.
Now she was acutely conscious
that she was unbecomingly
dressed, that she looked hot and
tired. She was aware at the same
time of Bob's careful grooming,
aware too that just in the back
ground was Barbara, as exquisite
" fresh In her spring suit as the
flowers she was wearing.
After all those weeks Of long
ing here was Bob standing close
beside her and Joan wishing Wild
ly that the earth would open sud
denly and swallow her.
How have you been, Joan 7"
"Flne. How have you been?"
Gan right. Busy. I'll be buster
now that Dad Is here" SO the dis
tinguished, elderly man was his
father.
Its nice for you to have your
father with you"
Eyes, It's great. But he's a
hard taskmaster. Believes in
keeping everlastingly at it." Then,
irrelevantly, There's smut on
your cheek, JOAN"
Joan brought out her vanity
case and carefully wiped off the
little dark smudge, adding an ex-
ira touch Of powder to her nose.
Bob was smiling little.
Chin high, unhappy eyes turned
from him, Joan's slim, tanned
hand moved toward the gears
"Goodby. Glad l saw YOU"
"'Goodby, Bob"
He closed the car door. 1t was
like q period, concluding the
brief conversation.
Joan backed the shabby old car
into the street, conscious OF
every rattle, and turned its nose
toward Union, glad to become a
part OF moving traffic. She was
glad TO put distance between her
and the place that had witnessed
her humiliation. She drove blind
iy, almost without seeing the
lights of cars that flashed past or
hearing the familiar creaks and
groans of the four-year-old car.
Il wasn't fair to have been
caught like that when she was
looking her worst, tired, wearing
q wintry frock, her hair slipping
carelessly out from under the
dark beret. 1t wasn't fair for
Barbara to have bene with Bob,
a picture of spring freshness and
wearing his flowers Evidently
they were going to the Carlton for
dinner, A family affair - Bob
and Barbara and his father.
Joan was on the familiar old
street now, grown dear through
long association. A moment later
she was out OF the car and flying
up the walk. Once inside the
gloomy hall, she leaned against
the door, fighting tears, getting
command of herself before enter
ing the living room.
The door opened and Mrs
waring came into the hall :.
"Joan, dear. Is that you?
thought heard someone come
In" Her hands moved over the
wall. The light switch clicked.
Joan, is anything wrong|
"Tm Just little tired, mother"
.t.A,,IANbk hnUn Onna
down town. You drive yourself
40. Joan. Gracious, your hands
are like ice! 1t is turning colder
isn't It? Darling, come in to the
fire. I've just built 1t up: Did
YOU see anyone you know"
Nobody especially" &
pats in, dressing to go out
again." So,
left the Office"
Mrs Waring bent to the fire
stirring 1t with the old brass
poker. With her head back
against the cushioned chair, eyes
closed, Joan heard the affection.
ate voice rambling on. She felt
the warmth Of the fire gratefully
After a while words pricked
through her detachment. 'I'n
worried about Pat,"> her mother
was saying. II didn't mention II
before because you seemed sc
troubled yourself, dear. But Pats
not happy"
"Not happy" Joan's eyes flew
open. why, mother. hadn't
noticed"
Joan, it's these parties she
AppER FANNY SAYS.