The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-11-03

been designed by Laurence COlWelI and has been seen th5 fall in sev- eral attractive gardens from whence 1t will no doubt be removed to sun room or other informal in- doro place for the winter months
 The table, chairs and settee are made of twisted wire, white paint ed, and showing amusing scrolls and laceries somewhat in the Vic. torian spirit. Fabrikoid in red IS ly about the tables. The room seemed to be swimming in color. It was dazzling, glamorous.
 Jim, leaning across the table, said, "You don't know how sweet you look in that black dress. Joan. Like a little nun in a room full of nymphs and driads."
 He added, "There comes Wes- ton and the dazzling Barbara, spreading disaster in the guise of sweetness and light. What fool Weston is!"
 Joan looked toward the door. Barbara, just 0 little in front of her party, was standing in the doorway. There was always some thing dramatic, spectacular about Barbara's entrances and exits.
 Joan tried to keep her eyes away from the fiower-decked table where the group was seated. In spite of her brave resolution she found that watching them hurt too much.
 Jim had begun drinking al- ready, teasing Joan because she refused the highball he mixed for her. But 1t was only teasing. He did not urge her to accept the drink.
 They had circled the room twice during the second dance when Bob cut in. With her heart beating furiously, Joan met Bob's eyes coolly, proudly.
 Well, how are you Joan?"
 She managed her brightest smile. Splendid"
 "so you are here with the in- comparable Jim!"
 "Yes," said Joan, "I am"
 "Do you really like that fel. low?"
 "Of course I like him." Joan answered, hoping her voice seemed sincere. T like him tremendous ly."
 "In that easel Bob said, "per- haps 1t would be better not to tell you what I think of him."
 Tt would certainly be better" Joan agreed. She was silent after that, afraid to trust her voice. Voices have a way of betraying one. Hers might have told Bob so much that she must keep hid- den from him If she were to cling to the last bit of pride left to her.
 The music stopped and Joan aAd Bob moved to her table, star ing coolly at each other, smiling politely into each others eyes.
 Another dance. A waltz this time. It was exciting. sweet. Joan was shaken to find that she could enjoy the dance so in spite of the pain and humiliation she had know. Bob's face was grim, loans a calm mask. A faint smile curved her lips.
 At tho end of the third dance Jim was still missing. Joan said stiffly, "1'm terribly sorry. You must be wanting to return to your friends. Don't you think you should take me to my table and join them?"
 Bob answered. Don't be a fool, Joan" He added. There's your friend now wobbly as usual. If you like I'll drive you home"
 "No thanks" Joan told him. "It was nice of you to pay rcs- cuer." She gave him q wan little smile. Bob stared at her, unsmil- ing. Then. with q curt nod to Jim, he walked away. Jim's unframed eyes pied for lenience. Joan. I'm a souse. Go ahead and say it! I forgot you, Joan -- ran into some fellows" let's start now and quarrel afterward," Joan said. r Guess we'd better Jim said , quickly. wen take a taxi"
 But Joan didn't quarrel She sat in the corner of the cab while Jim. slumped in the other side, explained. growing voluble under the mellow influence of liquor. About some fellows he had gone to school with. They had mot to. Drink while ye may. Who knows If in the next world there'll be taverns?" Explaining, ex- plaining.
 | While Joan was dancing in the bright and beautiful Italian. room Pat was in vastly different sur roundings. Slightly uneasy, asham- ed yet curious, she looked about and found the general appearance of the interior of the roadhouse less disturbing than she had im- agined. Shaded colored lights on me walls mirror panels |. flowers on the tables.
 But closer inspection of the men and women about those tables was alarming. Eyes were red-lined or coldly hard. Each table had its supply of bottles and glasses. Sometimes mans arm was thrown familiarly about his feminine companion. Some of them were sprawling in their chairs, other leaning on tho tables. All of them looked un- kempt, mannerless. Their laugh- ter was shrill and unpleasant.
 Jerry produced q flask from a pocket. "What'li you have?" he asked.
 "Nothing for me-" Then, as Pat met his dark gaze, Well, a small highball."
 Jerry ordered ice, ginger ale and lemons.
 I'm really not drinking much. ' Pat thought. I'm just slipping. 2 Jerry had refilied her glass.
 Once during dinner he leaned forward 10 whisper, Now, you rt being real sport. I'm proud oi you. Pat. You're wonderful, sim.