The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-24

How old are you, Ann?"
 "Twenty-one."
 "Just kid," Peter said. adding after a moment, "a sweet kid" His voice sounded tender.
 Ann closed the door to her room. The phone rang just then and she heard Peters deep voice saying, T tell you. Valeria, it's :mpossible!" Ann went to her dressing table and sat down. What was hap pening to her? This storm of emo tion sweeping over her-what did it mean?
 There was a knock at her door and Peter called, "Ann!"
 "Yes, come in." Peter stood i'll the door. He looked tired. worried. Ann. I'm sorry, but something's come up, We'll make it tomorrow
 ''We aren't going then?' Mot tonight. It's urgent. You understand" ''Yes," said Ann slowly. "I do.' Something in her tone caught him. Ann, you don't think want to go"
 "Please. Peter, do just as you wish"
 "If you'll let me explain"
 1T don't want to listen.' Peter was suddenly very angry He didn't like Ann's tone at all He wanted to explain but, in the mood she was in, an explanation might be worse than saying noth- | ing at all. It was unlike Ann tC l look at him angrily, to talk in that curt, had way. Well, all right il she wouldn't listen, if she wanted to doubt him Ann heard his car driving away The sound merged with the sound 1 of the telephone ringing.
 She went out in the hall. "Il take the phone. Susan," she tolt the maid.
 The voice over the wire said "Ann?" "Yes, Tony" | "What are you doing? Now?" "Nothing." The bitterness il her tone was not lost. What's Kendall doing?" Tony asked.
 ''I don't know" You mean he's not there?" No, Peter was not here. He wa! driving out to a country place witt | Valeria. Wouldn't Tony be sur prised to know that? Ann was thinking bitterly, "Firs Tony, then Peter. Something mus be wrong with you, Ann. YOl can't hold your men," Aloud, she said faintly. trying hard to hold on to loyalty. He! l busy. Something important came up." Don't pretend with me, Ann ! You're angry with him, aren't you?"
 "No." "You are lying" She did not reply.
 Do you know what day this is ?''
 What day?"
 "Your birthday"
 Tony had remembered. Tony loved her.
 I'm here alone, celebrating your birthday. There's some beer on ice on the back porch and the makings of some sandwiches in my pantry"
 Sounds nice," Ann said faintly She was thinking of Tony. sitting there alone, celebrating her birth. day.
 NO reason why we couldn't cele- brate together, is there?"
 "We can't, Tony" Ann said breathlessly.
 'If you don't come here, I'm coming out there."
 You can't. You really mustn't!
 Look here, Ann, use your head Is there any reason why you should spend a dull evening or your birthday while Kendall runs about?"
 There was silence. l "Ann?" l "I heard you" | "Well?"
 "I'm coming over. Maybe. well take a drive. I need to get out ot the house."
 You need me-" Tony said. He gave Ann the address of the He was glad he had moved. There for Ann here.
 You're not far from here." Ann said slowly. She hung up the phone and went into her room foi her fur coat and brown beret She put a key in her bag went out in the hall and caught the elevator 1 Tony let her in. He looked happy and excited. He stared at Ann's white. unhappy face. | When he started to take her in his arms Ann said, Please don't touch me, Tony" Good heavens, Ann. Will you ever get over being puritan But he humored her.
 "i'il fix you a cocktail" Tony said. You look all in." Ann nodded. She heard him iT the kitchen moving about. hear him on the porch. cracking ice. Il