The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-01-21


 love you Gale want marry you That's all there is think about You and We've both been working for others thinking about others for long time Aren't titled to happiness? Don't you that keep put ting things owang for times get better for this or that to happen-well always be waiting? Oh Gale"
 His arms were around her now. The girl drew back. "No, Steve" she said.
 "We he said roughly, T guess that's the answer You don't need to try to make it easy for mew
 She turned quickly "steve can't say I'll marry you. do for you You've been the best friend I've had But there's pretending things aren't the they are We couldn't be married"
 "You could say whether not you want to marry me whether you love me-.
 There was an nsants silence then the girl said softly. "Wat few days Steve You'll let me have few days to think about it. won't you? I'll tell you then"
 "Why, sure-if that's what you want" he agreed
 THREE hours later Gale closed the of the house softly behind her and stood for moment on the top step
 The winter moonlight fell the little patch of yard the street with it's rows of boxke houses on either side It almost bright daylight and yet there magic in the night that hid the ugness of the street
 Gale was wearing jacket of leather-a relic of the college daysover her short dark skirt and her head was a scarlet tam She carried a pair of ice skates
 She went down the steps, walking briskly. It alto gether too perfect night remain indoors Phil had left the house immediately after dinner usual Her father reading There reason, Gale told herself, why she should not spend an hour on the river. sEa @
 She turned corner and, ahead could see figures ing the ice The street went down to the old boat house. few yards away near the edge of the ice bon fire burning Half dozen boys and girls stood and Gale recognized among them Joey Dnwddie and one of the OConnor boys She sat down log and began put ting on her skates S44
 A girl in bright red sweater went swinging past Ii Katie Shantz from the m skating hand in hand with Ia boy from the shipping room.
 Where's steve?' Katie called, coming Home guess" aa Someone caught Katie's arm, whirling her around There laughter and Gale swung out the ice heading up the river TIT was glorious with sure swift strokes feeling the wind against her face Silver and black the river faster She wanted to get away from the oesto have the sivery moonlit river to herself Gut here she could think.
 Katies question about Steve It partly because ot Steve that Gale had to the river tonight alone She hadn't wanted Steve to with her. Steve waiting for the to his question Gale didn't know the Sometimes when things went badly they had been lately she thought of marriage refuge Stoves strength to rely Steves kindness Oh yes he kind And strong, too Steve had many fine qualities She recognized them all. she had pictured in romantic dreams We'll what of it? Did any girl ever realize those dreams-really? a
 Steve wasn't asking her to marry him now Of course they couldn't do that would have to be long time in the future. There was her father and Phil
 Gale had been skating swiftly. She had rounded the ben taking her out of sight of the crowd near the boat house. The shimmerng silver river called her and Gaa against the wind skating with longer faster strokes swerved to avoid and suddenly felt the surface beneath her tremble.
 Gale heard the crack, screamed She knew what hal happened. Sheer out again, terrified, helpless. ] (To Be Continued.) N KY {.