The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1936-08-10
CHAPTER x

0AA WRNg WIN hAghAtSNAA NtAA0
ing seriously. While Ann and jaime
were sailing on the lake he had
climbed q little mountain, being
careful not TO render unused mus.
eles sore. He went ct II with vim.
Then, with Ann, he tackled q stlh
climb In the Cascade Range. After
q week Of this gradual process the
pair Of them felt like seasoned
mountaineers. Their interest In
other activities waned. Each climb
was an adventure.
Late In the afternoons they would
60 down TO the boathouse and take
. swim with Ralph Springs, the
boatman.
Ann was teaching Ralph TO dance,
and, he, In turn, was showing her
the American crawl. Their skill In.
creased day by day, though Ralph
wasn't reconciled 10 Jalme'B monop-
oily Of AIMS evenings. He took
her 10 task one day.
" believe you're like oil the rest"
Ralph said. "All you think about
Ia q good time. The girl marry
will have 10 be made Of sterner stuff
than most Of the girls I see around
here. Silly little empty heads don't
mean anything TO me-"
Ann smiled. After oil, II was
through Ralph that she had met
jaime. She couldn't be angry with
him.
And Ann knew that Ralph was
perfectly happy with his dreams Of
building bridges in South America.
Like the majority OF men preparing
for q career, Ralph wasn't ready TO
take any girl seriously. Ann thought
Idly, wisely, "In vacation time be-
ware Of college boys, working their
Way 10 careers. In spite OF their 70.
mantle proclivitioS, they can't con-
slider marriage for eight or ten
years"
She was nattered that Bill had
changed his vacation plans Just 70
be near her, but she couldn't see
him In . romantic light.
But Bill had found himself now.
He had seen his kid brother through
high school, and his responsibilities
had waned. He had o Job that he
liked, and had earned O raise. Now
lO was willing 10 fall In Lowell He
was looking around for the girl, ana
Ann was the girl.
She saw less Of Jaime now, for
he complained OF his daily losses on
the races. lie stayed In the furtive
iittle betting room oil day long, try.
Ing 10 recuperate. He had seemed
10 change IN his deferential attitude
toward her since the day she had
turned down the idea OF q weekend
trip 10 Canada.
But the mere sound Of JaimeB
voice, at times petulant, At times
gay, brought Ann back 70 him.
"Darllng" he always said 70 her
now, In his sly way. II was q phrase
that disarmed her.
on the tenth day Of her vacation
Ann suggested TO BIZ that they
climb the highest peak, MI. Racine
II was an all-day trip, and was con.
adhered n dangerous climb. One had
10 use crampons and ropes on the
upper reaches OF the mountain
Bill was excited about TINS ad-
venturous undertaking. lie positive"
~ bcamed. ..,..
They were all morning reaching
the foot OF the rocky portion OF the
climb. They lunched from thelr
rucksacks at the last lean-to, ana
after q short rest resumed the ardu-
Gus work among the prccipices'
Above them lay the spiny peak
topped by an ominous black cIoua-
the ridge which led 10 II Ike the
horny ridges OF dinosaurs back.
They we're roped together. Az
times, on the Steepest portions OF
the climb, Bill had 10 help the girl.
She was amazed at his strength ana
agility among the precipiccS.
Toward 3 o'clock they reached the
summit Of the mountain, where q
cold wind from the north whipped
them mercilessly. II was 30 strong
that they had TO cling 10 the rocks
with their hands, lying down Tor Q
view OF the surrounding ranges OF
mountains and hills. The black
clouds we're lowering all about them
now. Intermittent flashes OF light
ming broke the darkness above
them.
After ten minutes at the top they
started down. Once, when the thun-
der crashed loudly In their ears, Ann
drew close to Bill. Her hands shook
y little, and she chung TO his wrists.
II steadied her.
Steady" he said. You're safer