Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1933-10-19

a fire in your house that night Of all
nights" laughed Jane Burke.
"It's not laughing matter" replied
Alice pertly.
"Why noti You must have looked
like the first lady of Mars or some
thing ten times worse"
you're about right. Honestly, when
mother and father were calling to me
frantically to get out. could think of
nothing but what slight looked.
And to appear that way before half
the town and all the 6remenw
"What was this marvellous new
beauty treatment you were trying outf
A new mud pack. or whatT" asked
Jane. still highly amused.
Alice pretended to shudder. ooh
I'd rather you wouldn't ask. There I
stood on the balcony in front Of my
room-the very spot had so often pic
tured myself in! And in what pre-
dicament! But far from looking love
ly and romantic like Juliet addressing
Romeo. was something out Of the
comic page. My hair was done up In
those metal waivers and they stuck out
all over my head. had a heavy cream
plastered over most Of my face about
an inch thick. And had a couple of
pieces Of adhesive pasted in various
attractive spots just to complete the
picture There was nothing worth
anything omitted"
II can imagine. But why all the
beauty preparationsr
"Wen, l want to look as youthful
and beautiful az possible at the dance
at the country club tomorrow night,
and I was following advice from q
beauty expert for several nights 90
that I'd surely be a knockout. You
see, Brad Conklln is In town visiting
his cousin and l haven't seen him to
speak Of for three years. And you
know how feel about Brad"
"Well. did Brad turn out to see you
In your choice make-upF'
'T'n say he did. His cousin, Jack
Langstaff, 10 q volunteer fireman and
dragged Brad along to help the boys
out. There the two Of them stood
with the ladder leaning against my
bedroom balcony. Both Of them wait
ing to make sure that got out safely.
Il makes me shudder to think about
It.
II had to climb down the ladder,
and there the family and the flremen
gathered to grab me when was in
reaching distance. Years ago I had
determined never to be caught in such
q predicament. And just when re-
Tented once, there had to be a fire.
You're right. It must have been fate. I"
swell. cheer up, II you're sure Brad
is In love with you. he won't even re-
fer to the subject. II he doesn't turn
up within six months, you can be sure
he saw all and decided the best way
out was a prolonged and eternal si-
lence."
Maybe you're right. But after all,
stin feel q little mortified. But at
least, he might have sensed humor in
the occasion, don't you think?" asked
Alice.
But. before Alice could reply the
sound Of an automobile turning in the
driveway, attracted Alice's and James
attention. 1t was Brad Conklin.
swell. cheerio." he said, smiling, II
hope the excitement last night didn't
have any bad effects ON anybody. It
was a big night for all concerned, and
the first fire i've participated in for
q good many moons"
Jane regarded her friend Alice and
then looked at Brad. She realized
that II he had noticed the extensive
beauty preparations the night before.
he wouldn't divulge the fact Az Alice
didn't attempt any reply. Jane said.
1T must have been q eorker. I'm GER
tainly peeved that missed It."
"Then AMce has been telling you all
about itT' ventured Brad. 1T hope she
told you all the lives that were at
stake and the thrilling bravery Of the
volunteer fire department"
Jane laughed. "Well, she told me
all about It from her side, as one Of
those who had to be rescued"
"And I've been telling her all about
my extraordinary appearance on the
balcony--as / emerged from q beauty
treatment which thought was going
70 have wonderful results instead Of
creating q riot among the natives"
whats this? I may be dumb. but
I'm afraid I can't quite follow your
trend Of conversation. Enlighten me,
young lady" Brad demanded.
Then the whole story was told once
more with added enthusiasm By Alice
and side remarks by Jane. But as she
prattled on about the trials Of the pro-
vious night, Alice could not help feel
ing relieved, that at least Brad pre-
tended not to have noticed her strange
appearance.
After the story was fully told, all
three had q good time laughing The
damage the fire had done was little
and the insurance inspector had al
ready promised to make proper
/ amends.
"Well, may ask what was the rea-
SON for this extensive beauty treat
mentr' asked Brad
Alice once again seemed tongue-tied
To save the situation Jane once again
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