The Washington times., 1935-11-11

living. I had expected to go to
Paris and study DIR % design but
certain things happened which
made that impossible so I came
to New York and got a job sell
ing hats on Fifth Avenue.
"It was comparatively easy to get
Jobs selling hats then and I knew
a man who knew a girl who was
head of the Personnel Depart
ment. He's the man I'm having
dinner with tonight. His name
is Steve Cluett and he's book
columniSt on the Herald Tribune
Maybe you know him?"
Kipp shook his head. The name
sounded vaguely familiar but he
wasn't interested in man named
Steve who was a book columnist
on the Herald Tribune. But he
was tremendously interested in a
small girl named Ann. He said:
"And do you still sell hats?"
She shook her head. "No
About four years ago I had rel
ative die and leave me a little
money. I opened a small dress
shop on Fifty-eighth Street just
off the Avenue. I design my own
models and I have a very clever
Frenchwoman who makes them
up for me. work very hard,
she added seriously, "at a job ]
like very much"
Kipp said: "You don't look like
a person who works very hard at
anything .. you look like some
nice college kids younger sister,
Nevertheless" said Ann, II dc
work very hard and have for some
time, now. I even save money
I hope" she added wistfully, that
you aren't completely disillu
stoned"
Kipp said he wasn't. He said
It was just hard to believe, that
was all. But If she said it was
so. 1t must be so.
"And what" he inquired grave
", 'do you do in your spare time?
That is, when you're not saving
money or designing clotheS?"
She did, Ann supposed, just
about what other girls did. The
usual thing . an occasional
dinner, or theater, or she went
"And what" persisted Kipp,
lighting fresh cigarettes. "about
the men in your nfe?",s
Must ~" She was laughing
at him. the freight soft on her
lips and throat. the dark bang
pushed carelesSly out Of our eyes.
Certainly not," agreed Kip.
promptly, unless you want to.
Tell me-" he demanded then,
shave you ever been in love? Seri.
ously. I mean?"
"Once. A long time ago when
I was very young. With a man
named Alan. He went abroad to
live. Permanently. I was quite
q long time getting over it but
eventually I did"
"And since them"
"Sipce then I've been careful
70 have a pleasant but nicely
casual time. You know, occa-
sional high moments but nothing
important" ..,.~.- .
'Then you're not in love with
anyone at the present moment?"
Ann shook her head. mot in
the least"
"That's swell" said Kipp slow.
ly, that's perfectly swell. And
now," he concluded briefly. you'd
better get into that fur coat and
let me take you home.
Or wherever you're going. It's
10 minutes past g."
Good heavens" said Ann, ut
can't be-"
But it is" Kipp showed her
his watch.
But all we've DONE" walled
An: softly, "is talk about me :.
We haven't talked about you at
all"
Tomorrow night" Kipp as
Gured her, 1--WE will talk about me-"
But" said Ann, IT don't even
know your name"
That's right. you don't" He
told her what it was. He said,
''Say it over slowly and see how
YOU like it,"
Ann said it slowly. "Kipp suy-
den. I like it but it sounds odd"
Kipp said: "It's Dutch: But I'm
glad you like it. Because it's going
to be important that you do.
Darned important"
Ann walked over to wall mir
ror and put on her little red hat.
She pulled it carefully over one
Emoke-gray eye and said quite
steadily: "Is it? I don't see why
1t should be. After all, we're prac-
ideally complete strangers.
Kipp said: "Are we?" and walk
ed over to her and stood in front
Of her. his eyes levelly on her.
For the space of perhaps five
slow heartbeatS they stood and
stared at each other this tall,
dark youg man with his frowning
black eyes and this small girl in
gray woolen dress and bright red
hat. Then Kipp 0aM, mo, Ann,
whether we want to admit it
straight off or keep on pretending
&aN a Wvhi1A 0uAAssA mt aV4d V1axJays