The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-02-13
sho can't stand cold

Mary does. She can't stand cold weather"
 "I'Il come over and get the coat as soon as we're through with din. ner Sunday" Gale promised. "I guess I'd better .un along now. DO you know. Mrs O'Connor. we had vegetable soup for dinner and father eaid, Well, this is good soup but if isn't up to that Mrs O'Con. nor makes" with you" ,,, guess I'll have to get you to teach me to cook"
 "It's not much could be teachin' you" Mrs O'Connor meas ured a length of thread critically. broke 1t off, and moistened the end with her lips. But if there's ever anything you want and we've got 1t you know where to come
 "I certainly dol"
 "And if you find you can't get out to Mary's on Sunday it'll be all right. I'll find some other way
 "But I'm sure you won't need to: Well. this time I'm really goins! She went through the door and closed 1t behind her. Mrs OCon" nor held the brown button on the coat and drew the needle through. "She's q good girl, Gale Hender. son is." Mrs O'Connor announced to the empty room. "she's one m a million"
 Early February brought a change in weather. When GaIe stepped out of the house Saturday morning the sun was shining anu the air was almost Epring-like. By evening there were little pools or water along the sidewalk where the ice had melted and the ground was wet.
 Next morning the sky was cloudy hut the air was still warm. Gale had dinner on the table half an hour earlier than usual Later, uniting dishes into the hot. sudsy water. rubbing them with the dish mon. she hummed d little tune. She was glad she was going to Mary Kiloran's this afternoon. It would he q 30-minute ride into the coun- fry. She was glad she could do something, too, to help repay Mrs O'Connor for all her kindnesses.
 When Gale came into the living room presently. wearing her coat and hat, rom Henderson was sit- fling ln his favorite chair, looking out on the street.
 Gale said, Tm going to take the bus out to Gates Center now. I'm sure I'll be back by 5, at latest.
 Tom Henderson leaned forward
 Ln ak get started" he advised. LOOKS like there might be storm alter while." like this all day" al
 Might be a storm just the same her father insisted. Better take | your umbrella"
 Gale meant to. She went back to her room to get the umbrella and then thought of the kitchen door and went to see if 1t was fastened. I was not until she was on the bus 20 minutes later, riding along Center Road, that she remembered the umbrella again. Gale didn't think 1t mattered much that shed left 1t. The sky looked clearer than it had when she left the house. A window up in front of the bus was lowered and the fresh air swept Gales cheeks. The bus was rolling past row of one and two story buildings now - brick ana | frame--that housed restaurants, q pool room, q deserted dry cleaning establishment and a plumbing shop. Then q row of billboards. These were the outskirts of the town. Another block and the build. ings gave way to open country. Here and there were houses, wide. ly scattered, far apart. The land. scape was one that Gale had seen over and over again, but 1t was pleasant to ride along, breathing the fresh air. her mind at rest.
 Presently the driver called out, "Oates Center" and Gale stepped down to the street. There was no pavement, only beaten path. Gates Center was nothing more than a collection of a dozen houses, two stores and a garage at the crossing of Center Road and tho state highway.
 Gale found the Kiloran's tiny home and Mary came to the door.
 "Why, Gale Hendcrson!' she ex- claimed. Where ever did you come from?"
 Happy birthday! I've brongh! you something from your mother. This big box. She wanted to come but her rheumatisme been trou- bling her lately go she couldn't. And here nre some molasscs cook les l baked this morning. l thought maybe you'd like them"
 Nothing would do but Gale must come in the house and have a cup Of tea. Mary slipped into the new coat and was delighted. The two girls hnd known each other for years, though they had had never ben close friends. Mary was four years younger than Gale--G small girl with dark red hair and blue eyes. She had been married for il year and half now. All that time had been spent away from home and she was anxious for news of her family and of tho vil- lagc.
 It was later. when Gale arose to 20, than she had thought. The sky was darker now and a sharp wind had risen. Mary came to the door and called after her,