The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-09-20
cHAprER XVIII

In the Week IHdG IOhUWeup 1butA and John McNeill were together more than anyone realized-except Bertha Gibbs. She encouraged the drives they took either before or after the. evening meal. One time, bidding Ruth goodby, she said, "If you're late for supper. it's all right, Miss EIaine.p Another time, Just so you're in before midnight. it's proper. Your mother'd trust MT. John to look after you."
 Finally Ruth suggested, If you'd give me door key, Bertha I wouldn't have to disturb you every time I come in.
 But Penny seemed to freeze at the idea. "I'd rather not" she replied emphatically. You just use the door-knocker. I'm always up late anyway"
 On the day after Johns return they went to Cleveland to see the opening of a New York play, star ring the Lunts. Ruth wore the she'll pink velvet dress beneath the fox-trimrned evening coat ana wondered if she were overly dress ed or rushing the season. It ap- oeared that she was not. Her clothes seemed appropriate in the smart place where they dined.
 John was satisfyingly impressed. "You're stunning!" he told her, looking across the table in frank apnraisal. "Did you send for all these clothes you've been wearing lately? You came without bag gage, if remember rightly. All you had was bunch of parcels.
 Ruth said steadily, T didn't have to send for anything. And for the funniest reason! Last spring my---my family sent a box for Saint Stephens rummage sale ana it got here too late. Penny dragged 1t up to the store room and it's been there ever since. we opened 1t after came and 1t was stocked with fall and winter clothes from last season."
 John said, "A girl who's crazy enough to come off without her clothes doesn't deserve a break like that"
 '.No," answered Ruth humbly, "she doesn't. I haven't deserved any of the breaks of this visit, John. Finding you next door, for instance. Liking you-
 'Just--liking me, Elaine"
 She replied, making patterns on the table cloth with one finger, Sometime I write things I'm too inhibited to say. When go away maybe I'll leave letter for you.
 wI don't like the sound or that" he replied, shaking his head and staring at the glowing tip of his cigaret. "It sounds like you're planning a dismissal Tor me. When is this to happen? Any definite time set?"
 ''No definite time," she an- swered. not looking at him. When in Cleveland that other time she had managed to locate the Salva- ton Army headquarters. She sup posed they would take her in un- til she could find work. Sitting here in this restaurant, in velvet evening gown and gold slippers facing a young man in 8 dinner jacket who was looking at her tenderIy and solicitously, 1t seemed preposterous to think of herself applying for a corner in a Salva- tion Army barrack. Applying TOT it hopefully, accepting 1t gratefully.
 Her face must have registered some of the turmoil of her thoughts, for John said quickly, NO serious thinking permitted toniehtl wonder if you like plain beefsteak as well as do?"
 "Order it." Ruth told him. "and I'll show you. Do you happen to notice how I've put on weight sine. I've been here?"
 "I'ye notice," he replied. You look a hundred per cent better. Don't ever carry dieting to that extreme again. Elaine! Will you promise me that?"
 She saw that he was in earnest. She wanted. to promise him. but how could she know what the future might hold for her in the shape of meal tickets? She com uronaised by saying, T believe I've learned my lesson. can see what rest and regular meals have done for me. l believe I'm ht for any thing that's ahead of me now" A waiter, bringing hors d'oeuvres. interrupted the personal trend and after that 1t was merely social evening.
 Ruth had never seen a play by famous professionals, but no one would have suspected 1t as she sat beside John McNeill and studi- ed her program with quiet boise. HA liked her siiences. He had al- ways hated chattering girls who talked nervously with q horror of pause. In Ruth's company the siiences were comfortable, a part of their compauiOnship. Even when they conversed 1t was generally ne who talked, she who listened.
 However, on the ride home after tho play, not even John talked. Ruth. exhausted by excitement and by the strain of being q fairy princess for an entire evening, slept soundIy. her head against his shoulder, her breathing as soft and regular as a child's. She did not Know that he kissed her hair and called her "Darling!" every time he changed gears.
 When she accepted Johns in- yitation to go dancing with him, Ruth knew she had added one more reckless link to the chain of folly she was forging. She also knew that sine was glad.
 It was two days after the the-