The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-08-23

been laid out for her was. Tn this day and age!"
 Gwen created a divxersion at the moment by falling down and bark ing one plump knee. By the time colored Louise had brought the mercurochrome and peace had been established Boots discovered it was three o'clock and time to see to her marketing.
 "I must go. You were grand to ask me and l feel better already" She meant it. The older woman's matter-of- acceptance of her situation had helped her to see 1t more clearly.
 "I wish 1 could do something, really" Frances George told her sincerely. When your mother gets back perhaps we can cook up something for you to do. 1 could give you a letter to some friends on 'Womanhood.'- the magazine, you know"
 "Oh, would you, honestly? I'd never be able to thank you,' Boots was almost incoherent
 Well, We might see what could be done, anyhow" said Frances judicially. She had Gwen on her lap now and was tousling the browns curls absently It was just shame, she told herself. after Boots had gone, that those terrible women were ahle to do such a thing to a child like that. Why, that morning Boots had had a wounded look in her eyes. She was like some wild creature stalk ed from ambush.
 When you grow up, lamb-pie," she muttered into the ear of the small one in her arms, we're go- ing to manage differently for you"
 Boots went back to her tasks in more cheerful frame of mind. But it was lonely the next few days. The telephone rang only once or twice and then it was the cash fer at the market, asking for an order. Johnny went to the noun tains and Hardy called to say he would be at the family's Maine camp until August.
 "Oh, we'll" Boots said, hanging up, T wouldn't have seen him much anyway. That was just a flash in the pan."
 When she went to the club she avoided "the gang" coolly. Pride held her back and she imagined sights where sights were not. Isabel wanted to talk to her one day but she brushed by with such a strained and artificial smile that her friend withdrew. feeling ineX- plicably hurt. She fell into the way of choosing odd hours to swim, times when only the kids" with their nusres were on the sand or old ladies, mapping with their cro- cheting, under awnings.
 In this way she came to see rather q lot of Russ. He was al- ways there, big, square-shouldered smiling. He didn t bother her. He talked a little. fragmentary bits of idle conversation which didn't re- Quire an answer. and Boots found him oddly rcstful, sympathetic. His mood fitted hers. She did no treal- iZe that the man was watching her keenly. measuring her moods, adapt ing his stride to hers. Thus she fell into the way of accepting him as friend, telling him little amus- ing things, watching for his big smile and his hearty laugh.
 And it was summer-warm, glo- rious, impetuous summer when young things grew and tiourished under the Aun and of nights the white moon shone down on world embroidered with tapestry of beauty. The blue stalks of del phinium in the garden were ghost ly in the moonlight the roses had never seemed so luxuriant. There was scent everywhere-the good smell of earth under swift summer rains, the perfume of moontlowers in the dusk. Boots felt it--the spell of summer was on the land. Every open car. brimmirg with light frocks and lighter laughter. had a touch of magic. Every radio played love songs and the summer nights were longely as one drowsed in the porch swing. .
 Her father had gone to the Hartses for game of bridge one evening an1> she was half-sitting. half-lying :n deep chair when she heard car stop at the hedge, heard hard. masculine steps on the walk. She sat up suddenly.
 "Oh. you"
 It was Russ, brave in new white fiannels and d dark blue coat. He looked big, masculine, dominating.
 Hello. Thought you might be around. Want to so down on the rocks for whilc?'
 She hesitated. Now was the time, if ever, to snub him. to make him realize the difference in their re- spectivc positions. But why should she? She was young, pulsing with life; she WIS lonely. He had been kind to her.
 All right" she said impulsively. Just wait until powder my nose"
 She wondered, as she hastily ran comb through her gilt curls and tiuffcd q bit of scented powder on her face, why her heart was beat ing so fast "nd furiously. Why. it was only Russ Lund! Surely she couldn't be excited about the prospect of going out with him.
 She came to the screen door and something blocked it. His big shadow. looming almost mcnacing- ly. shut out the moonlight. I'm ready" she said, confused.
 He was at her side and, almost before she knew what was happen ing, his arms were around her, crushing her in grip at once ten NSi anu tiluhipIuuti HIS ldCe was very close to hers
 Don't. Don't" Her tone was almost pettish.
 In an instant he released her. Painting, not knowing whether to laugh or to cry, she stared at him. Oh. she had been kissed, inexpertly enough, before. But this was diff l ferent. Russ wasn't one of the crowd He wa4 man grown. Everything about him was differ ent. She--she almost liked 1t, but of course he mustn't know that. I'm sorry" he said, but his tone didn't sound in the least bit regret full. You're so--so darned cute."
 She laughed hysterically. Promise to behave or l shan't go down on the rocks with you." The rocks formed sort of prom ontory on the shore. All young Larchneck gathered there on these | warm, moonlit nights She woi,Id