The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-09-11
SYNOPSIS

RUTH WOODsON, 10 years
 old, au orphan, talkes . bus for olze midwest to And Q job. Un- able to pay her fare, she is put oR the bus fin Q small town, just ah . storm is breaking. Ruth
 seeks shelter in an old stone
 house with . blue door, and
 fhinfs from hunger as PENNY, tlie old house-kceper, opens the door.
 Ruth is carried upstairs by the old woman and . young man named JOHN AEcNETLL. The old woman mistakes Ruth for ELAINE CHALMERS, whose grandfather built the house. Elaine, meanwhile at Graycastle College, vows fin sorority meet. ing to win the love of her first sweetheart, John McNeill.
 Ruth resolves to quit the old house next day, but when John McNclll invites himself to dinner she decides to put on her de- pafture.
 CHAPTER x
 It was old Penny's Goodnight to her that made Ruth decide to stay longer, after all. The night was cool and Ruth had just blown out her candle and pulled blanket up to her chin when the door of the room opened and the old woman came in.
 She said, T just came to say goodnight, Miss Elaine, and to tell you something. To-morrow's my birthday"
 "Really, Penny?"
 eyes, Miss Elaine. I'll be 75. That's a kind of milestone in a body's life. It'll be good to have you here with me. wouldn't want to spend day like that alone"
 Ruth stared through the dark ness, and the sound of Penny's words became a wish fulfillment in her mind. She thought, T ought to stay with her, poor thing! Of course ought!" Then her natural honesty asserted itself and, she faced her motives. But I want to stay anyway. I'm happy here. There's comfortable shelter and good food and there's John Mc- Neill next door,"
 Suddenly her decision was made She would stay on-in the vernacu- lar-just as long as "the staying was good" She said, "Well, Penny, it's an occasion, isn't 1t? I'll save the happy birthday till tomorrow and we'll make a day of it."
 "Yes, Miss Elaine" replied Penny, greatly pleased. You're sweeter than you used to be. I like to have you with me. Couldn't you somehow make it longer visit ?"
 How long?" asked Ruth experi- mentally.
 "Your letter said a week, Miss Elaine. Couldn't you double it?"
 Maybe" replied Ruth recklessly. Her eyes looked through the dark ness toward the house next door. "Yes, Penny, we'll call it two weeks" Her mind was saying, It's risk!" Her heart was re- plying, But it's worth it!" She was in love with John McNeill.
 Elaine Chalmers was entertain Ing her best friend, Hortense ssokesbury. They were cutting Eng 3ish, since neither cared for Chau- ser, and were making tea in claine's sitting room at Graycastle.
 The room was not orderly. Hor- fense, wishing to occupy the chaise sounge, had to remove pink satin corset, Hemingway's latest novel, thd a bunch of letters held to- sether with a rubber band.
 Lingering the letters with inter- est before laying them down. Hor- tense remarked, From the Prince of Wales, I suppose. Or Robert Montgomery"
 Elaine remained sweet. "No," she answered. Just from Teddy Van Harrington" Both she and Hortense knew that for their par ticular requirements the Van Har- rington scion was the most desir- able of men. The deb's delight. The deb's mothers ultimate goal. Teddy was just 23 and, thanks to a dozen high powered tutors. now possessed a sheepskin from Har- yard and a reputation for brains in addition to his immense wealth. Within the last five years his fathers trusty checkbook had res- cued Teddy from three scheming actresses and a night club hostess. When Teddy announced himself en- gagged to Elaine Chalmers, Higate Deals domineering, level-headed