The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-02-25

Y.
 ways l could help them, little things could do.'
 T think that's n great idea. Vickyw
 Do you really? Oh, I'm so glad. Then you will help me with it?"
 "Of course will" Vicky touched his arm. You arc sweet" she said. 1T thought if I could get acquainted with some girls about my own age q. first that would be the easiest way. You must know some of them. don't you? Will you take me to the mill village and introduce me?"
 There's one girl" Brian said slowly. "T might take you to sec her"
 Vicky's eyes were watching him, narrowed, cat-lIkc. "rhcn It's set ted" she said. When can we go --Ato-morrOw?
 "No. not tomorrow. I could take you Tuesday"
 "What time shall we go?"
 Tt will have to be Tuesday even ing. I'm busy all day, you know"
 'I can hardly wait" Vicky told him--and meant every word of 1t. "I can hardly wait until Tuesday,"
 Gale looked at the dresses hang ing Imply in the clothes closet. There was very little choice--thc black dress with the red buttons or the blue with the lighter blue col lar. They were the only two that could be considered. The old brown crepe was hopeless since tho rent had come into the skirt. It had been mended so often there was nothing to be done about 1t any longer.
 Gale took out the blue dress and held 1t up before the mirror. It was older than the black one. but really more becoming. Yes, 1t had better be the blue. She'd rip off that collar and haste In q fresh white one.
 Sho hunted for needle and thread cheeks flushed. eyes shining. There was plenty of time. Brian wouldn't come before eight o'clock-eight- thirty. more likely. And yet her fingers were awkward as she tried to slip the thread into tho needle. She had to do 1t over and over be- IOTt IHc lIlI "hb b't'tS'
 There was n knock on the door and her brother opened 1t.
 Gale" he asked, "could you loan me dOllar?'
 She took her purse from the dressing table and opened 1t. There were three crumpled dollar bills In the purse and some silver. She held out one of the bills.
 Phil took It. "Thanks,' he said "T1l give 1t back to you on pay day"
 That's all right"
 When he was gone the girl sat for moment, staring at the ho0r. oh, well, there was no use worry Ing about Phil. Not tonight, at least. Tonight
 Gale began bastlng the white col lar into place. Even Phlls mystc- rious abscnces, his frequent need or money didn't seem SO alarming to- night. For two days Gale had been living in a dream world. She had gone to work. cooked meals, wash ed dishes, made tho beds. ana measured out her fathers medicine without really knowing she was doing any of those things.
 There were times when she couldn't believe the glorious &C., crct locked away in her heart: There were times when she told herself that was q dream.
 But 1t wasn't--it wasn't! Brian Wcstmore had said, "I love you, Gale. l think I've been in love with you from the very first time, haW you--"
 He had said that and he was coming tonight. "here were so many things Gale should have done. Her father, of course, would have to know. She should have thought how she was to tell him, how she wnB to make him under stand how really fine and sincere Brian was. There were things her father was sure to Bay--obJcctl0ns --and she should have thought how to met them. She hadn't been able to settle any of those things. She hadn't been able 10 plan any thing. Perhaps Brian could help. Of course he could. Brian could do anything!
 The collar was in pIa"e now. Gale laid the dress aside and stood before the mirror. She brushed her hair until the bronze high lights in it fickered like gold. Her cheeks needed no rouge; the ivory skin glowcd with the fire beneath It. She touched her face with q powder puff. studied the effect. She wanted so much to look her best tonight.
 The blue dress went over her head. Yes. the white collar did make 1t look fresher. It was cheap little dress, one Gale had made herself. She thought of the frock she would like to wear to- night, the sort to be seen in shop windows at the other side of town ---gaphire satin or black velvet with silver buttons. slim and so- phisticated.
 She heard a knock on the outer door and for an instant her heart ceased beating. Then she hurried into the living room. She opened the door, said "G0od evening" and then stepped back. Gales eyes, wide, searched the shadows. Vicky Thatcher WAS fac Ing her and behind Vicky, half In darknesg, stood Brian Westmore.