The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-08-20

away from the beach if you want me to-" said Boots alphabetically.
 Why, Baby, wouldn't think of it! Of course you must have a good time. 1 only wish you could get away to the mountains this year. The change would do you good. You've been looking-I don't know-kind of washed out" said the older woman.
 At long last Boots waved good by to her as the eastbound train moved out. She turned back to the battered sedan. The thoughts Which all afternoon she had been keeping at bay swooped about her now like so many birds of i'll omen. They frightened her. What was she to do? It seemed to her that the shadow of disgrace hung over her blackly. And she had done nothing to deserve it. That was the cruelest thought of all.
 The day grew hotter, grew broathless. Curtains hung limp in the lifeless air, lawn sprays played everywhere, shades were drawn against the pitiless. batering sum- | shine. In the silence of the dark ened house the phone rang shrilly. Boots, emerging from the shower with yellow head still damp, her thin dressing gown clutched around her, went to answer it.
 "Yes. Yes. Who?" Her face | altered imperceptibly, as did her voice. Hardy? Why, yes, yes, I guess so. No-not right away. Half an hour."
 She flew to the closet, snatched fresh print from it's hanger, be- gan hurriedly to dress: It seemed to her that her fingers were all thumbs to-day. Her hair, usually so tractable, refused at first to as- sume it's usual gentle waves. Then she broke a fingernail and jagged a stocking, causing her to aban- don the only decent pair she own- eq. Oh. well. why dress up fol Hardy? She compromised on white sockets which everyone wore, any how. Her slim furnished legs were like copper.
 She wondered vaguely why she wasn't more excited. Hardy Whit | more was making a formal call upon her-the first he had ever made. And she couldn't, somehow | feel that it meant very much. She | had bene stunned by the blow of the morning. Mrs Fernell, she told herself, had killed something in her. Sh~ would never really | trust anyone again.
 
 When Hardy's long, low, sleek black car drove up she was on the porch, apparently deep in the nzs, | managed the most casual greeting. She lifted her hand and let it fall. She said, "I1i.' in a matter of fact tone.
 Hardy was palpably embarrassed. /. Why, Boots wondered idly, had she been so thrilled last year and the year before that to have even a smile from him? True, he was eX- ceedingly looking. He had a charming manner. But to-day she was idle as we'll as charming and that already there were lines of dissipation in that smooth. hand some face.
 To-day he was immaculate in white fiannels. His crest of fair hair gleamed from valiant and re- cent brushing. His preposterously long dashed eyes were fixed upon her. almost appealing.
 "Gosh, but I'm sorry about the other night" he began without pre- amblc. Boots lifted her eyebrows with an air of nonchalance. Her attitude seemed to say. The other night? But what about it? simply can't recall ."
 T met Isabel to-day" blundered the impeccable Hardy, feeling at a loss. "She said I'd made a bloom ing fool of myself and hauled you into it. If there's anything can do
 Boots laughed, not altogether agreebly. "I think perhaps Isabel has been using her imagination" /" she said lightly. If they thought if any of them thought she was going to cry around, ask for their sympathy they were greatly mis- taken.
 Hardy looked relieved. "Swell-o". (She did wish he wouldn't say "swell-oD, "So what do I do now?"
 50 you do nothing at all" Boots told him, as though already bored with the subject.
 But Isabel was yammering about how all the old witches in town were after your skin. all be- cause you waltzed on the veranda with a hellion."
 Boots shrugged her shapely shoulders. She could make this young man squirm, she reminded herself. The thought was pleas ant in itself. but she wasn't going to pursue it further.
 Sure there's nothing I can do?" Hardy was seated on the topmost step now. Quite casually. his lean brown fingers played with the tas- seled lace of her buckskin ties. A year ago - week ago - Boots would have been thrilled at the very thought of such nearness and intimacy. Now she loked down at his bright head coldly, feeling in- sulated against his charm for the moment, at least.
 Nothing at all!" Tomorrow. she told herself. she would be re- mem bering all this, wondering why she hadn't smiled at him. hadn't made herself q delightful. amusing companion. Why, shed been mad about Hardy in secret for years! Why couldn't she respond to him now? Maybe her whole future hsr chance of getting away from Larchheck-depended on this half hour. M Just then something happened to rouse her from her apathy.
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