The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-01-27
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chapter VII

Chapter VII
 Kay's resolution to return to Car vel, Co take up the responsibility that waited for her there, held firm till two days before her last exarni- nation. Then another letters came from her mother. Mrs. BTaiinan wrote:
 'Dear Kay:
 I think 1t best to telf you, before you come home, that Emily and George are going to Dc married. know this will not seem like good news to you; but when you are older, your viewpoint will be dif- fereTt. George is good boy, and he works har1, and hc is sober and steady and very much in love with Emily. They will be happy together. Emily is fond of him, and grows fonder, now that she has made up her mind. I thought best to write you, SO that you can be careful, when you come, not to do or say anything to make Emily unhappy.
 It is possible you may be able to get her job ct school. You can talk to MT. Hodges about 1t when you come home '"
 This letter was waiting for Kay in her room, Q little before supper time. She read 1t twice, very slow 1y; and then she went downstairs and out of doors, neglecting supper, forgetting everything. She walked for hours, without knowing where or why: till suddenly she found herself in Q lighted square, and saw Q drug store, and the blue bell that marks . public telephone.
 Kay stared at this emblem as though 1t were Q thing she had never seen before: and then she went in and with Q steady resolu- ton called Chick Rantoul. When he answered, she said:
 "Chickp"
 "Yes. Who's this?"
 Kay Brannan, Chick"
 "Oh, hullo, Kay. What in the world are you doing up at this time of night?"
 T don't know what time it is," she said and her voice shook Q little, 50 that he heard 1t.
 Anything the Inatter?" he asked . quickly.
 And Kay wet her lips. You said once If I ever wanted to 90 to work, I might get e job in your offlce," she reminded him.
 He protested: "A job?" She did not speak, and he laughed, in an uncertain amusement. Trying to kid me, Kay?"
 No" she said, She hesitated, told him then steadily: No, Chick I'm fin deadly earnest. May I come in aind sec you in the morning?"
 Why Kay. if there's anything wrong. I'll come out" he offered. "In the morning, or tonight, if you want me-"
 "fJo," she said. "No, I'll come in. This is business, Chick. To your ofiius. May IF"
 "why--yes, guess so," he as- sented doubtfully. But I'm not sure we can find place for you"
 'I'm going to make you find a place for me-" Kay told him des- perntely. She tried to laugh. man. aged 6 mirthless sound. If you don't" she said, "I'll have to go home to Carvel, so you just have to. Good night, Chick! I'll be In at ten."
 Rantoul, when Kay appeared at his of1ice in the morning, heard her with sympathy; but he tried to dis- suade her from her design. "You've no experience" he pointed out You're not even Q plain steno- grapher. And-Carveis your home, and your people need you there!"
 She insisted desperately: T know it's selfish and hideous of me; but l can't go back. I simply can'tl I've seen to many girls do 1t. Girls like Emily, lovely and intelli- gent and-they go away to college md then come home and wait and wait and by and by they marry grocers. If you don't hire me. I'll be 0 waitress. or q clerk, or any, thingl But won't go home!"
 You're an idiot, you know" he said almost angrily.
 T know 1t. But you've told me I've sometimes helped you. Try me, Chick. I'll be good!"
 She persuaded him at last to speak to his superiors; and once committed, he pleaded her cause with sufficient conviction so that she was given chance.
 So Kay wrote home that she was going to work In Boston: and Mrs. Grammar accepted the news without protest. Kay had Q noncommittal letter from her and wrote in reply:
 "You sound as doubtful as MT. Rantoul did: but in spite of you both, I'm a working woman now. l wish I knew stenography and typ ing; but so far I've just been study ing things that MT. Rantoul is working on. For instance. the Ori- ental Silk Company wants to adver- tise their stockings, and I'm sup- posed to find out why women buy