The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-09-06

| age.
 NEXT: Powder for your guests. of warnings and whispered affec- tion, Boots as drowning man who sees his proyerbial last straw fast disappearing.
 We must see each other soon again." was the burden of IsabePs song. Boots, agreeing, still felt the barrier between them. The old foothold could not be regained, however strong the bond was. Her new life was too confused and too uncertain for plans. At length she promised to telephone, to write. Her own address she did not give. They were moving any day now, she said.
 It was difficult. after all this to go back to the shabby fiat. Some how it had never seemed so sordid, so definitely rundown at the heel, before. Gloria was at home, spread ing pattern papers and gaudy purple and red silk remnant of printed silk all over the living room floor.
 
 Russ called" Gloria looked up to say abstractedly He said to tell you he thought he had something lined up and he wouldn't be home for supper"
 Boots sat down in the tufted plush chair, the springs of which were already sagging. The collector had not received the full amount for this chair up to date. She took off her hat and ran her fingers nervously through her hair. If Russ weren't home until late it meant an entire evening in Gloria's company. The prospect. especially after Isa- bePs amusing chatter, was well night unbearable. Fuss made this life tolerable for her. Without him there was simply nothing. ...
 She hung up her things neatly and began to mend her other pair of stockings. If there were only some books about, she thought wildly. finishing that task. If there were piano. .. But only the shipping sounds of her sister-in- laws scissors met her ears. No won- der people in these little boxes of flats sought the movies as means of escape. There was nothing else to do, nothing else to look forward to.
 Shall fix things for dinner?"
 Gloria shrugged. Well, got some sausage and there's a can of corn"
 Somehow Boots got through the rest of the afternoon; the early fall evening closed in. Lights wink ed on in all the square windows. Children huddled around bonfire in a vacant lot at the end of the block. The prospect was dull and uninteresting, but Boots from her porch envied the small struggling figures milling about the scarlet flare. tasting the good smell of wood smoke and burning fingers in their attempts to take toasted marshmallows from the end of the stick.
 Up in Larchneck. at this time of year. leaves were heaped in great piles for burning. Her mother, in her old gray sweater and a we'll worn tweed skirt, would be raking, too, in the lower garden, setting a match to the neat piles. Boots felt lump in her throat at the thought. Isabers words had tugged at her heartstrings. Her mother did miss her. fretted over her. Why, some times at night she woke up in a cold fright. shivering at the thought that perhaps she would never see her mother again.
 She shook off the sick fancy, Russ would do fine things. make something big of himself. Then she wouldn't be ashamed to go back home, face everybody. She had been foolish, hadn't given her mar riage sufficient consideration be- forehand. But she would show them some time that it had all been for the best.
 Lou came in and lights went on garishly, brilliantly all over the small square rooms. The smell of frying meat and bubbling corn permeated .he apartment. "Arent you hungry?" NO. Not very. r." Boots hesi- tated over the words-"I met an old friend. She ook me to lunch. !" Gloria's eyes lighted avidly. "The Ritz, huh? Guess VOL can't see our eats" Her face looked mean, looked curious in the bright glare of the overhead fixture. "No." Boots said quietly. Just a tearoom. Lou ate quickly noisily, not joining in the conversation. He did not believe in 'jawing" at meal time, he often said Eating was a serious business.
 Boots offered to wash the dishes and Gloria, anxious to get back to her basting did not protest. At nine o'clock when she was hang ing the last pan on it's hooks she heard Russ at the door. He came In briskly. bringing breath of cold fresh air with him. "The boy wonder"' He thumped himself on the chest. Boots ran into his arms. You've got something?"
 "Yep!" He held her off at arms length. "A club at Miami. Better than the one last year." Boots danced in sheer excite ment. Miami! I've never been there."
 Hold on minute, kiddy. I can't take you with me. You'll have to stay behind-for while at least"