The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-01-14

the legs.
 artists love differently - and not constantly, Allan"
 "If had Ann I could get back my faith in things"
 'T'm afraid there's no hope"
 "Go ahead"
 "I think she's married" "Married?" "Yes. l went to her door one night and opened it without knock ing. She was sitting on the bed turning little ring, a platinum wedding band, in her hand. When she saw me she closed her hand over it."
 He gave 8 short, derisive laugh ''Marrled Not such an innocent as I thought"
 After moment he, asked. "Where is she now?" II left her at place called the l Evans house quite inexpensive. ! She said she would stay there un- til she decides what to do. Don't I bother her right now. She's ter- ribly upset about something" | T have a little pride. She didn't even say goodby." oHS uiou want tO Bo py youA office.'
 "Leave any message?' Just goodby."
 He was furious. All the fun they had had together, the days of com panionship had counted for noth- ing. That was the way with women. His rage smoldered all evenng. He was sure Ann would not call his sister. He suspected she was relieved to get away.
 But Ann did call. A month later Mrs Tracy reported to her brother, Ann telephoned and I went to see her. She has job in a funny little bookstore in part of town you've probably never ben in in your life. You have sen strets like it, though where most of the goods is dis played on the outside. Think of Ann working in a dingy shop. Right next door there are trousers, shirts and what not hanging from the awning. And across the street an Italian vegetable and fruit stand. I can't see whatever possess ed her."
 Tt probably was all she could get right now. Jobs aren't picked up every day."
 But she had good place here. And to leave it to go to a book store!"
 "Evidently she didn't like us," Allan said darkly. "Could you blame herr"
 Mrs Tracy thought her brother was looking thinner. He missed Ann. She did, too, for that mat ter, and the children for few days could not be comforted. Even now they were leading Miss Spencer a dance, forever talking of their be- loved "Ann."
 "Where's this bookstore?"
 Mrs Tracy told him.
 1T might decide to buy book some day. Not for g. long time. Not ever if I can stay away"
 Ann said there are some rare old books there. She was quite en- thusiastic when I saw her. She was painting widnow signs. Said she had persuaded the owner it would be good business to adver- tise. He's a broken-down professor I gathered, and he and his wife live in the rear of the store."
 She and girl she met some- 6 III W llO "ol ho ih eL uC@ partment store - have small apartment together. Ann didn't say where"
 What a 1ife!"
 That's what I tried to tell her. She said she wasn't worried about the future. If she could only get over the present she would be all right"
 Getting over the present was proving fearfully hard for Ann. It meants a continual battle with her thoughts, concentrating on her duties. ....
 Another day." she thought each morning, as the drear procession of days went by. Another an- other.
 And then it was fall and she was hurrying into the shop out of the raw, Wind-swept streets. warming her hands at the big stove in the back of the shop.
 Professor Barber - he still used the title he had acquired in hap pier days-was pleased over Ann's interest in her work and gratified over results. The shelves had never before ben so clean. The books had never before been so neatly and atractively arranged. Fiction. non-fiction, the new and the old. Early editions for those who were searching for the rare and unusual. All in their respective place. All carefully catalogued by Ann.
 Business was picking up, too.
 Tt was good day for us when she came here, eh, mother" the old man said to his wife one night. '"The customers like her fine."
 So pretty and kind" MrsB ar- Der said. "So interested in helping people find what they want, Fa- ther. The young men all come back to buy more books. Maybe if business keps up, we can give her a raise by Christmas. What do you say. Father?"
 Maybe by the first of the year." the old German said cautiously. Ann's salary was only SIS g week. By practicing rigid economy she was able to live within it. From the $40 a week she had earned as governess to the Tracy children sch had a small nest ege saved-close to $150. She was hold ing This intact. Her emergency fund. she called it. Sr3 might gel sick. might lose her job. Anything might happen. She. was trying tt kep her courage. But 1t was hard struggling for a place in tn