The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-02-05
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 SPINDLES
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 They had come to the corner where Josie took one street and Gale another. Gale said, Maybe you're right, Josie. When are you going 10 be married7"
 "Just as soon as can get that dumb-headed Bill Klein to think he's. asked me-"
 Gale laughed. "Well--see you to- morrow" she called, as she went on alone.
 There was no use being annoyed merely being herself. She was good hearted, too. Generous. Yes, Josie was certainly one of those who
 But the conversation had it's dis turbing effects. As Gale moved about the kitchen, as she peeled potatoes and put them on to boil and sliced cold meat left from the night before Josie's words can.e back to her. "Everybody'ss gotta take chances. If you don't, where'lI you be? All by yourself - that's where"
 Suddenly Gale visioned the years ahead. What did they hold for her? What could they hold [? The break with Steve was complete she could never forgive the things he had said or the fact that he had not trusted her. Oh, yes, every thing was over between them. She had thought that he loved her. but of course he hadn't. She hadn loved him either. and it was a good thing to know 1t. Now, be- fore it was too late /,
 Love was something Gale had scarcely thought of during the past two years. She'd been too busy. Her days were crowded with work and worry and the struggle to keep their home going. Gale had thought of little else. Never of gay times and admirers and romance, as most girls her age do.
 Other girls in the mill village thought of those things. There was social life--of q kind--among the mill workers. There were dances in the square. barn-like structure known as "Dreamland." half Il mile out of town where mu- sic was furnished by q player piano and where boys and girls from the mill often gathered on Saturday nights. There were movies and there were parties sometimes. Par ties with beer and cheese sand wiches and q secondhand radio out discordant tunes. Other parties at which stronger drinks were served and after which, more than likely, one or two of the guests would appear with blackencd eyes and bandaRes.
 rA ah a,.kI though she didn't attend. There She and Steve had had good times, though-long walks on Sunday af- ternoons, picnics in summer and skating or coasting with the in winter. Movies occa- slonally. Games of checkers and rummy in the warm, spic-and -span kitchen while the cold wind ragged outside.
 Those good times were over now. Even the friendship with Steve that had helped 50 much when times were hardest was gone. Steve was no longer her friend. He had said cruel, unforgetable things. Un- things. Steve had turned against her. ..-.
 She saw the days stretching ahead endlessly--days of work at the mill. of cooking, cleaning, wash ing dishes: rushing, always rush. ing to keep up with the clock: go- ing to bed aching in every muscle and rising again to face 1t all once more. She would spend those days and nights slaving--and for what?
 She placed the food on the table and called her father and Phil. The meal was soon over: none of the three, apparently, were in the mood for conversation. Phil left the house while Gale was stacking the dishes and her father returned to his reading.
 Gale finished the work in the kitchen and went into the living room. Her father looked up from his book inquiringly, then went on reading. A dog parked outside and Gale realized suddenly how still the house was. There was not Il sound except the tick-tick of the clock on the table = an old clock that was always too fast or too slow, but had stood on that table ever since Gale was a little girl.
 She sank into chair and traced the pattern of the carpet with her toe. There were dozeLs of things she should be doing
 Gale sat up very straight. "Father." she said, "do you mind if leave you for a little while? I'd like to go skating"
 "Alone?"
 "There'll be others there I just feel I'd like to get out for a little while. won't he gone long"
 "Ill be all right" her father as- sured her. but wrap up well. You don't want to catch cnId.'
 Gale hurried into her leather jacket and cap, went to the kitchen for her skates. Five minutes later she was on her way to the river.
 There was no moonlight tonight but q fire was blazing on the river bank near the boat house. Gale was surprised to zee how. few were skat ing. Mostly youngsters. Katie Shantz was there in ner red sweater, and that young man who was always with Katie. Two other couples Gale did not know.
 She sat down on log and strapped on her skates. She'd have a good half hour of Aknting--not getting too Tar rom the others tniB time--and go home.
 She cut off across the Zee with long, graceful strokes. A minute before she had been tired but now the tiredness was forgotten. Faster and faster she went. The blood tingled in her fingertips and in her cheeks. Gale leaned against the wind, laughing. She glided on with swifter, longer strokes. Ahead the gleaming sheet of Zee stretched like challenge. Faster, faster!
 A figure skating ahead Of her suddenly turned. Gale did not re- cogniZe the young man until he saw that 1t was Brian Westmorc said, "Im in luck at last! was l. An An. L. L..Il