The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-07-06

&S
 "I'n wait for you at five o'clock a
 have was a peach for looks but lemon for disposition and there was no use trying to get next to her or put anything over on her. Also that she wasn't even ordinarily friendly. This was not quite fair. Jane had taken to heart Miss Jar dimes precepts and tried hard to be cooperative and polite and all the rest of polite office behavior. But 1t was too superficial to de- ceive her fellow-workers. They left her alone unless they had business in her province. Even Allen Calvert, woh looked after the Handel special development projects, and who was large, loud and happy with a laugh and jollying joking way which got him out of many a bad spot With the Board of Estimate and Bu- reau of Inspection, even Allen was cautious when he approached oHly 1No6Sh LhOhPNi she had met on her first day with Handel, tried to keep little warmer current going between them, because in the realm of off, flee intrigue 1t would be to his ad- vantage to have Kanders secre- tary on his side.
 There was a pretty definite, though concealed rivalry between himself and Calvert, which kandel used calculatingly, keeping both men uncertain as to which he taV- ored, and therefore always extra active to please him. Roger Thorpe was calculating, too. Jane could II she would, give him news Of Kan dcl's moves and changes available through no other channel. But Jane had not bothered to respond to Thorpe's small attentions, and he was astute enough not to press them. He could play Q long game with admirable patience.
 He was rewarded by being the one to come in to kandeIs office and find Jane alone. idly standing by the window, her shining young ness dropping and face sharp With suppressed tears. At sight of Thorpe she shrugged herself straight with an effort: Can l do something for you? MT Handel won't be in until four.'
 But what's the matter - you look sick?"
 Janes defense was down for moment before his Kindness. II don't know what's the matter ex- actly. I'm sort of stopped! l was standing here wondering what it's all about, why were alive, and why we go on living. I'm so tired of everything, tired of myself, tired of"
 You've got spring fever, that's what 1t is. Maybe your family's got on your nerves"
 My family, what there is of them, lives miles from here"
 "Then maybe you're homesick."
 That's the last thing I'm like. ly to me. "I care nothing about my family and they care nothing about me. I'm the most alone person in the world. Usually l don't mind. But to-day-I don't know, l felt it.
 Good Lord, I should think you would. Where do you live with friends?"
 "No, in a hotel. and hate it. haven't had time for people since I came. There was the school first and then here there's so much to get hold of"
 Thorpe began to re-value Jane. She wasn't just the boss's secre- 4 la fnY I,t interests. she was an extraordi- narily handsome young woman who for the first time was letting ficiency and competence which lonely and unhappy and ap- pealing, all of which made him feel large and protecting. Pm going to prescribe for you" he said. "Ill wait for you at five o'clock and we'll drive down to Henri's and have dinner. Now don't look doubtful. It's all set tied. You and must get ac- quainted." Then Thorpe himself had a moment of doubt. 1T for got, I have little errand for the boss right after five. II call for you at your hotel at half-past Where is it!" That would pre- vent any office snoopers from see- ing them start off. He certainly didn't want Calvert to know that he'd struck up a friendship with Jane.
 She kept his waiting little that evening, for she had stopped on her way home to buy new hat and that tonic act and the excite ment of going out with the good looking, agreeable Thorpe turned her dull mood into one so elated and gay that Thorpe stared when he saw her. And pretty darned clever of me to pick her out" he thought complacently. "even if she doesn't help me a bit with the boss"
 That seems good little hotel. v he began as they started off, even" if you are tired or 1t. I've never actually been in it before."
 "I want an apartment for my own." said Jane. five never had time to hunt one, and my aunt and other people know think it's frightful for me to live alone. But good heavens. why not ? Women who earn their own money certainly ought to live as they like.
 "Ought to! They do! Packs of 'em. What amazes me is that you say you want an apartment. and you're in the Handel organ Ization. and this Is the first word that the head of Kandel's Rental land Management has heard of It."