The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-09-24
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sured him. '.But there's a couple of good yarns about her that I've never told you"
 Let's have them," John urged.
 Ruth said, wiping a smudge of dirt from her wrist, "She swiped A set of stevenson from library and stuck some other boo:is in their place. was reading one of the Steyensons at the time and 1t made me wild. I've not seen them since. When I asked her about them she pretended not to know what I was talking about. She can't read, of course, on account of her sight" 'Um-m," said John, drawing on his pipe, "Go on."
 "Well, the other incident is louder and funnier. It's about a cake made for her. The day aft CT her birthday she got her quar- terly check from New York. She went down town to bank 1t and to lay in 8 supply of staple gro- ceries. When l saw all the outlay she'd had sent home, I offered to bake her a day-late birthday cake. She was as thrilled as child and asked me if I could manage to make the icing pink! I did, by us- ing beet water as coloring. If do say so, 1t was a beautiful cake." And then she forgot to thank youY John guessed. Mercy, no! She was terribly grateful and showed 1t. Came din-
 ner, then, and I cut the gorgeous thing"
 "Is this story intended to praise your cooking?" asked John, grin ing, Cor just to make me hungry?" Ruth wrinkled her nose at him. I'm not interested in your reac- | ton to the cake--it's Penny's that | has me guessing. Well, she began to eat 0 piece of 1t with the most heavenly expression on her face. | About that time there came a knock on the front door and she | went to answer 1t. She fooled around so long that I cleared the table and began to wash the dishes. Finally she came back, but she'd lost her appetite and all interest in tilO SdhCs oAe 6hAu 5iC II ioO U ICsC- gram that upset her"
 'Is that the end Of the story?" asked John. Ut sounds like one of those pointless yarns in the At lantic Monthly"
 "No," answered Ruth, that's merely the curtain on the second act. The third acts the thriller. I'd been in the library and on my way upstairs stood before the big pier glass in the hall to admire myself. I may as well admit it. that's what I was doing. was carrying lighted candle and a book and the light was dim and esthetic and I'd never seen myself look 50 nice before."
 You ought to see yourself now," John said.
 Don't s interrupt. While I was looking in the glass noticed some thing that was going on in the dining room. Penny was cutting away half the cake and wrapping 1t in 8 napkin. She was doing 1t like a burglar in the movies. Her caution was positively exaggerated now what have you to say?" I've already solved number one," he said. "She took the books, of course, because there was mo- body else to take them. She's us- ing them for door stop. We used to do 1t at college "Marvelous!" Ruth exclaimed, almost seriously. And what about the cake episode?"
 He said, If the Secret Service hears of this they'll hire me, whether or not. Penny eats in bed!"
 They both laughed until they were weak.
 Gan we go into the library?" John asked. I'm tired of leaning against this tree. Besides, I al- ways liked that old room" "Of course we can go in," Ruth answered. "I cleaned it thoroughly | a few days. ago. Careful as you go in! You'll have to duck the win dow sash"
 She entered by one window and he by another. AS they met inside he pretended to be surprised to see her, took both her hands and kissed her boldly and effectively on the lips.
 After she had caught her breath Ruth surprised and delighted him by saying, "Wrong Cue! We've got to make another entrance, MT. Mo Neill!'
 So they solemnly went out and came in and did 1t all over again, this time almost daring to be tender.
 John complained, we haven't gotten the thing right yet, Miss Chalmers. There's still too much levity on your part. Let's cut out entering and concentrate on the finale."
 Ruth shook her head and drew away from him. That's the Little Theater movement for you! You get worn out with rehearsals." Actually her heart was pounding to her frivolous words. Have you ever noticed this old globe, John?" Have T." he exclaimed. whirl- ing 1t rapidly. "I used to pore over 1t. It's several sizes larger than ours. Wait! Whats wrong?" The two sections of the globe had become loosened at his hand ling and showed signs of separat- ing at the equator. He lifted off the top section and held it up. Well, I've half the world at least"
 whats this?" Ruth asked.
 In the smooth concavity of the lower hemisphere there was a bit of gaudy ribbon, surmounted by a 8 bronze bar. She picked 1t up and examined 1t curiously.
 John carefully put the globe to gether again. Then he said, May I see it, Elaine?"
 She gave 1t to him and he looked at 1t for a long time. Its my Scout badge" he stated, quite as If he had been looking for it the day before. Imagine finding it in