The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-09-17

McNeilPs face, she let it pass. At least there was no heroine in the story who looked like herself.
 She drew hot water and washed the dishes. It was not until she heard Pennys returning footsteps in the big buffers pantry that Ruth realized how long the old woman had bee ngone. During the past half hour she had all but for gotten Penny's persistence.
 q saved your cake for you. Pen n.y." she said. It's there on the plate. Whatever kept you so long,"
 Bertha Gibbs made no answer. She looked blankly at the plate which Ruth held out to her. It was as if she had never seen the cake before, the beautiful cake with the pink icing, made especial ly for her.
 Ruth felt surge of irritation. you'd only taken a couple of bites, Penny she reminded her. Do finish 1t and cut yourself some more. It's on the dining table. with the knife beside it."
 "Oh yes" replied Bertha and she took the plate and sat down at the kitchen table. Her hands were trembling. All color was drained from her face. She stared at the cake unseeingly. and then she be- gan to crumble it in her fingers.
 Ruth finished tidying the kitchen and watched her in puzzled silence. Presently she asked gently, Has something happened to shock you, Penny! Was that q telegram at the door?'
 Thet old woman looked at her ip- tently and then lowered her eyes. Yes she said, "a telegram. A body never knows what to expect these days" ,...
 Was it bad news?' asked Ruth anxlously. Was it about your job here?"
 Not thatF' replied the old wo- man harshly. Something else. Something I've hoped for for a long time. And-and dreaded"
 "Ohw said Ruth. She wondered where the telegram was. In Pen ny's apron pocket perhaps. She asked, Would it help you any to share the news with me-"
 Bertha Gibbs shook her head, seemed to draw within herself. "I'll share the news with nobody" she said defantly. Don't keep at mel" She was changed person. Before the knock on the door she had been merely a pathetic, dingy little old woman, eagerly happy over cake with pink icing. She had returned from the summons like a weird old witch, suspicious. ba1eful. remote.
 Ruth shivered Q little. Darkness had fallen outside and drizzling rain had set in. Sudden gusts of wind sent the leaves scurrying. The McNeill house was dark across the lawn. John had told Ruth that he would spend the day in Akron and that he was having dinner tonight with one of the men in his firm, q man named Bonnet. Mrs. Bennet's niece was visiting them and John had been asked to make a fourth at dinner and bridge.
 Ruth thought, looking across at the dark house, "I guess he's terribly in demand because he's so terribly eligible" She wondered if Mrs. Bennet's niece was attractive and tried not to hate her. She turned from the window and lighted another candle, q thick one that stood in a heavy holder and gave off light that was strong t1O into the library, she decided and choose a book to read In her room. Something heavy. Something that would make her sleepy, SO she wouldn't lie awake through the long evening, waiting for John Me- Neil1 to leave Mrs. Bennet's niece. Ignoring Penny because of her strange rudeness, she left the room. went to the library and carefully selected her book. It was flaw thorne's "Mosses From an old Manse." certainly sleepy title. She came out into the hall again and as sine was going toward the stairs she was arrested by her own re- fiection in the tall pier glass that stood against the wall.
 T make a pretty picturew she thought in surprise. She was aes- thetic enough to appreciate 1t ob- jectively, and honest enough to ad- init it. The mirror reflected n lovely young girl frdfned in flick ering light, holding candle and q book, and about to ascend q winding stair.
 But suddenly the mirror showed