The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-09-13

said, You recall that place, of course. The Phillipses still live, there. Lucy's at Vassar now. l guess you see her sometimes in New York;"
 'It's funny" Ruth answered, "I never do. Has she changed much ?"
 Mot as much as you have" John McNeill said.
 He offered her a cigaret which she took, hoping she was not too awkward at catching the light he offered her. Elaine, she felt, would smoke under the circumstances.
 He said, looking at her until the match burned his fingers, You look lovely today. Mind my telling you?"
 | Mind? like it. But we'll have to give credit to my clothes. I've always liked this suit. It's more flattering than the little rag ar- rived in."
 "When I first saw you," John remarked, you were the limpest little piece of wreckage I ever laid eyes on. It was a first-class faint, if ever saw one."
 What a way to enter your life after an eight-year absence!" Ruth mourned. "At my very worst"
 At your very most impressive, ' he disagreed. I've met several hundred perfectly turned out girls in my day. and promptly forgot 'em. never before picked up one that looked like wet dish-rag fal- len off the line, and, five minutes later, saw her turn into thing o1 beauty right under my nose.'
 Did you realize who I wasp Ruth asked curiousiy.
 He said, Until Penny started calling you Miss Elaine 1t never entered my head that you were anything but little nobody try. ing to find a dry spot"
 "Oh-" said Ruth. These elms are gorgeous. Like-like New Eng. land, aren't they?"
 Have you forgotten this is the Western Reserve?" John asked Your ancestors and mine who helped settle it came from those states. Got their land grants foi being good Revolutionary soldiers They held on to the old New Eng. land customs-white frame houses elm lined roads, maple sugar groves. All that sort of thing"
 "I'd forgotten" Ruth replied.
 The car sped through the rair like a smooth, purring animal that delighted to transport them. Dark. ness had fallen and the headlights outlined a road that was level and faintly curving. Ruth thought Heaven must be like this. I'd like to crystalline this hour and keep it always, shining like the headlights and the rain on the wet leaves Only I cant. I think I want us to hit a tree and crack up and end it all before stop being Elaine to him. Before he finds me out for a cheat and liar"
 But they didn't crack up. John was an excellent driver, and pres ently he turned the car around and drove home. AS they turned into the driveway he said, "I guess old Bertha's going to ask few dozen questions about this ride" ''Who?" asked Ruth blankly. Bertha Gibbs" he said. Pen n.y." "Oh!" laughed Ruth. Imagine me not recognizing her name!" She's & funny old creature" John remarked, not noticing. Sometimes I think she's gone a little potty. In the last few years she's taken to lodging everybody. Even my mother"
 People often seem queer as they get old." Ruth offered. Its usually just because their facul- ties aren't keen and they don't keep up with the times. Whatever make. people think Penny's crazy?"
 Well" answered John. ''she's got the dam'dest habit of painting the front door a bright blue! She does 1t at night-every few weeks,