The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-10-23
searles said as she led the way in.

doors.
 Gail gave a little gasp of delight as she stepped into the guest room, "What a gorgeous viewI" she ex- claimed, looking at the Sound.
 T thought you'd like it, my dear" Mrs. Searles drew the hut- tering net curtains still further aside. Then, glancing around the room, she added, T think you'll find everything you need"
 I'm sure I shall" Gail turned away from the window. I'd bet ter change right away or I'll be late for dinner"
 We're not very formal here Take your time. There's only the family here tonight. Dick told me he didn't want any other guests. Mrs. Searles smiled significantly as she left the room.
 Calls cheeks grew rosy. She knew Mrs. Searles approved o1 her friendship with Dick. That il would ripen into 8 warmer at- tachment was the wish of every member of the family. Hadn't Rosemary urged her to marry hel brother2
 Gail loved the Searles. They were dears every one of them she confessed, slipping on dainty frock of pale green embroidered organdie. Yet though Dick ha6 proposed to her times without number, she had never yet given him her promise.
 Tonight, contrasting her little room in the clubhouse with the luxurious room in which she stood, Gail wondered once again why she always hesitated to say the word that would have spelt for her security. There had never been any other men in her life, for Miss Cranston had as- sured her students that work was their first consideration so long as they were at Merrywood.
 Suddenly, as Gail slipped an antique bracelet on her slender wrist, she recalled pair of twin kling blue eyes and a lock of dark hair that fell carelessly across a wide forehead. Had she lost hel heart to Derek Heargreaves = ar artist who could probably never offer his wife anything more than studio apartment, who'd never know from month to month what his income might be? Yet as Gail walked lightly down the broad, softly -carpeted stairs and past the beautiful antique furni- ture in the hall, she realized that, without love, even a gorgeous home like this would be prison.
 "Ah, here you are!" exclaimed MT. Searles, proffering his arm, as they followed Dick and his mother into the dining room.
 Dinner was gay affair. Gail related some of her experiences at Madame's, yet, as she talked she knew she was wiving only one angle of the picture. She did not mention the little meannesses that. she had discovered were a vital part Madame Lizette's character. She must not let her. self dwell on these unhappy incl dents. c
 Presently they rose from the table and, as it was now too dark to go outdoors, they played bridge - not too seriously, however, for, as MT. Searles said, "When you treat 1t as though it, were life and death af- fair, bridge is no longer 8 relaxa- ton. ,"
 Ten o'clock was striking when Dick laid down his cards, We've made game, Gail. Do you want to play another?"
 Gail smiled, trying to stifie a yawn. What do you say, Mrs. Searles?"
 q think we'd better stop. It looks to me as though you need good rest"
 "Oh, I'm not tired, only the minute I get near the sea I'm al- most overcome with sleep. I'll be all right in 8 second. I'd never dream of going to bed so early!"
 Let's take walk, Gail. It's a fine moonlight night. I know you'll like it."
 "The winds blowing in from the Sound. Better get wrap for her." said MT. Searles, rising from the table and settling him self to read scientific treatise he had been glancing at earlier in the evening.
 "Oh, Dick" whispered Gail as they sauntered slowly toward a rustic summer house where Mrs. Searles often sat and watched the boats going up and down the Sound, T feel as though we're in some enchanted spot. Doesn't the moonlight make everything look differentl"
 Dick drew her close to him, but, quickly slipping from his arms, she stopped down and pressed her lips against the velvety petals of a huge, sweet-scented pansy. q never knew flowers could smell so sweet" she murmured.
 T never pay much attention to flowers. Mother is the gardener in our family, and I guess she keeps old Geddes busy getting all the new varieties she hears about: but, Honey, you were speaking about the moonlight. It hasn't changed you. Don't you love me, sweet-juSt a little?" He caught her hands in his.
 of course I do, Dick. I love all your family. I think your dads adorable and your mothers just too sweet"
 Gail, Gail! That's not what I want to hear. Why must you al- ways bring in the family? When are you going to marry ne9"