The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-03-02
|%1I]1llll] gaIIilll[l[Il

"Well---''
 Steve said, "I'li get your coat, Gale. Be with you in a minute. i" Before he knew quite what had happened the two of them were hustling Phil through the doorway, out into the night air. Morning sunshine fell on the pile of letters on Robert Thatcher's desk. It fell on a silver ash tray, too, turning 1t into binding bril- liance. The glitter annoyed Thatcher and he pushed the tray to one side. He went on reading the letter before him and did not look up, though he heard the door of the office open. After mos ment he raised his head. Ills sec retary was standing just inside the room, waiting hesitantly.
 "Well?" There was no reason why Thatcher should be annoyed, but his voice sounded. grating, harsh.
 The sallow-faced secretar moved step forward. ''The gate keeper is outside" she said.t Ed Vogel. He says he has a report to make"
 Thatcher's eyes narrowed. He said, without waiting, "Tell him to come in.'
 "Yes, MT Thatcher" The secre. tary disappeared discreetly.
 A moment later there was a knock at the door. Thatcher called out, Come in!"
 Ed Vogel entered, hat in hand. TIA n e1 rly 1, Q knitted band drawing 1t. in nt hung in oily wisps at either side of were fawring, servile.
 "Yes, Mir Thatcher" he said, stepping across the threshold briskly. Thank you, MT Thatch- er."
 What's on your mind?"
 Vogel came forward. He saii, speaking cautiously, "There something l thought you'd like to know. Something that happened last night at the dance at Park. 'ers'. thought you'd want to hear about it--"
 He went on, his voice rising and falling as he talked. Thatcher lis- tened, cunning light in his eyes. Now and then he asked questions, nodded.
 The telephone rang and Thatch- CT picked it up. They'll have 10 wait" he said impatiently and put the telephone down again. Turning to Ed Vogel, he said, "Just q min ute. want to write that name down."
 "Here it is, Mir Thatcher. ] wrote 1t for you" Vogel laid scrawled memorandum on the desk. For five minutes more he re- mained in the general managers office. Then he emerged, closing the door behind him. In the cor ridor he met a girl wearing all orange sweater and brown skirt. She was a pretty girl and she was carrying bundle of letters.
 Vogel said, "H'lo, sweetheart How about date to-night?"
 The girl loked at him disdain- fully. Think I'd go out with you? You certainly do hate yourself, don't you?'
 Vogel smirked and went on his way, whistling.
 Mrs O'Connor let the gray shawl fall back from around her shoul- ders. 1T can't stay but minute," she said. There's, no tellin' what those young'un of mine'll be up to when they're alone. You're sure you're not robbin' yourself?"
 Gale, cutting slice of butter substitute and placing it on a saul Ger, said, "oh, no. We have plenty"
 Mrs o'Connor settled herself more comfortably. Tt certainly is a blessing to have neighbors. Someone you can borrow from when you run short. Tim has hts breakfast so early-before the store opens. He'd have had to eat dry bread tomorrow, l guess, if it wasn't for you"
 i've borrowed from you So many times," Gale told her, "I'm glad of the chance to pay you back"
 The older woman's hands went up, palms forward. "As though you didn't always pay everything back--and more than that! Any time you want anything we've got in the house just you say sol" Mrs O'Connor nodded her head sidewise as though that settled the matter.
 She went, on moment later. "Did you go to the dance last night?"
 "Yes."
 "How was it."
 Everyone had a good time, l