The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-02-04
SLKEN SPINlLES A1@s4A @oakmaS
Q nss sGA ssnvIcs. NC

and you don't or you wouldn't say the things you've been saying. I didn't know you could be so unjust and cruel and hateful"
 And 1 didn't know you were the kind of girl to fall for a rich guy with a line a guy who doesn't thin k you're any better than the dirt under his feet!"
 With blazing eyes the girl faced him. will you please leave me-" she said. "I don't care to hear the think you're any better than the want to be seen with you. Not ever again. wouldn't have believed you could talk the way you have if hadn't heard it with my own ears. Now I've heard 1t and l hope you'll leave" x
 q certainly will, if you feel that way"
 "It's exactly the way I feel"
 Their eyes met and held. Steve said in voice suddenly lower pitched, You're sure you mean that?'
 Every word of it!"
 He hesitated an instant. Then he said, "All right--Tm going" and turned and walked back toward the mill.
 Gale went on rapidly, her head held high. She was angry at Steve and angry at herself because she knew some of the things Steve had said were true. People would talk about her conversation with Brian Westmore. The girls would be sure to ask questions. She must think of something, to tell them.
 Tun nf fhn n'cnnnnr children were playing in the yard as Gale passed-a little girl and a boy q few years younger. Gale was a favorite with the children because sometimes she told them stories. They saw her now and came run ming.
 "Hlo, Gale!"
 Come n play with us-!"
 She shook her head. I'm sorry, honey. l cant tonight"
 "Aw, please"
 "No, I have work to do.'
 The little girl caught her arm. "Why, you're crying!" she said, startled. "There are tears in your eyes. Did someone hurt Nou?"
 Gale shook her head, forcing a smile. No" she said, I'm not crying. Katie. It's just that I've got d cold. Oh, dear, I'm going to sneeZe!"
 She dried her eyes with the hand kerchief. w'd love to play with you" she went on, but I have dozens of things to do. Some other time, though
 They walked with her. chatter ing, until they reached the Hender- son house. Dusk had fallen but there was blight in the house. Gale let herself in and called Father"
 "Yes."
 He was sitting in his favorite chair before window looking out on the street. "I saw you coming" he said. "Who were the children with you?'
 "rwo of the little O'Connors."
 "rim O'Connor's youngsters? ?'
 "Yes."
 Gale was putting away her hat and coat. She said, Its so dark in here. Father, you can't see any thing. You ought to have light
 "I like it better this way" he told her. "Cold out, isn't it?"
 "Yes, pretty cold"
 There must be quite a wind. noticed the way the trees are bend ing" He paused and then went on, Steve didn't walk home with you?"
 "No."
 "Steve's q good boy, Gale. A fine boy" He paused as though there were something more he wanted to say, but evidently changed his mind.
 Later. over the evening meal, Gale thought her father looked tired but he denied it. He'd been feling unusually well all day. he said. Put on his coat at noon ana took few steps outdoors to gel a breath of air. He'd passed the time of day with Old Dan Geddls from across the street.
 Tom Henderson's big frame was stopped and his clothes hung about him loosely. There were littie pouches beneath his eyes and his cheeks had an unhealthy unge. Gale, facing him, thought it was really shocking how he had changed in two years.
 "Iow about game of cribbage to-nieht?" Tom Henderson asked his son.
 "I'H take you on.' Phil told him.
 Gale, clearing the table and heat ing dish water, was pleased. She was glad to have Phil at home, glad to have him entertaining their father. She had heard Phifs ex- plantation of his bruised eye-some thing about mishap with box of tools. Well, that was better than for their father to know the truth.
 She heard the criDbagc players keeping score as she hung away the damp tea towels and put the dish pan on its hook. Neither her fahter or Phil looked up as she slipped from the room.
 She went into her bedroom and closed the door. There was no moon tonight, but Gale went to the window and pressed her face against the pane. The darkness was comforting. A big star, hang ing just over the roof tops, blinked at her. Millions of miles away. that star was. Millions and billions or mics away
 The star shimmered enticingly and suddenly it's hard light seemed cruel. Cruel and unjust as Steve had been. How could Steve have said the things he had to her Steve who had told her he loved her, Steve on whom she had always counted?
 Hot tears fell on Gales cheek and she brushed them aside. She stared out at the star and the black sky. She was angry at Steve but that wasn't why she was cry ing.
 Gale thought. I wonder why Brian Westmore wanted to walk