The Washington times., 1937-01-12

stone house which was her home
he gave her a quick handclaSp
The taxi waited.
you've been so sweet to me
tonight. my dear. I shall neVel
forget it"
Somehow the words had STRUCK
her with a faint, foreboding chill
"You don't know how I've ap
preciated everything. 1t has beer
a happy EVENING"" he asked her
Happy?
What an inadequate word to de
scribe an emotion-a whole gamut
of emotions that we're like sun
Lit waves of the ocean, waiting her
to the Isles of the BleSt! -.
Why, she had never lived until
this glorious evening! Shed been
like a Door little chyysaliS impriis'
oned-not realizing the wonder
and the glory waiting for her
with Paul Bradley.
And one of these evenings
we'll have to do it again"
It confused her, dashed her. She
longed to hear him say: "Tomor'
row I'll telephone you. Maybe we
could 20 to church together"-or
Maybe we could take a long
walk in the park?" The almond,
blossoms were just breaking into
bloom up by the bridle-path where
Ann had used to ride on horse
back, Sunday mornings. Would
it be unconscionably bold to aask
him? Dare she?
But she was sensitive.
well have to do it again one
evening" he repeated, and looked
up at the windows Of the house as
though to remind her of the late
ness Of their return.
She was ashamed Of the long.
ing that caught her to be in his
arms, just for a farewell moment,
feel his warm kiss on her mouth,
hear him ask for definite ap'
pointment.
None of these things happened.
With a second handclaSp-quick,
conventional-he bade her good
night, walked down the steps to
the waiting taXicab.
NE&
Ann was the first of her staff to
arrive in her department on
Wednesday morning. She was to
have a window display.
That meant Rameses, the clever
dresser, putting his best foot fore,
most, and Ann wanted to be in on
it. seeing that everything was per-
feet, before the great shade on the
window was rolled up.
She revelled in the lingerie de-
partment with it's garments like
exotic flowers.
But a tiny frown puckered her
brow as her gaze lit on the con-
signment Of underwear that was
not selling. Would it have to be
marked dowon?
Like a housewife, she had her
buying allowance from the mer
chandise-manager, Paul Bradley
If she could not dispose Of the
goods, it would be her first humili'
alton since promotion. Yet the
manufacturer had assured her OF
the excellent value Of the goods,
and her own knowledge Of silks
had corroborated it. Besides,
whatever his failings, Tim O'Hal-
lahan was honest in his business
dealings.
What about popping up her
salesgirls by offering them small
commission on this merchandise,
since she did not care to make
a "markdown"?
Putting it out Of her mind for
q moment, she went into the
negligee salon.
Someone was there. A man,
among the boudoir robes, the
charming lounging pajamas and
frail undies-looking huge and
rather helpless in this hot-house
Of femininity, with its gilded
chairs and sofas, its pink velvet
carpet, its window draped with
blue and rose and golden taSsels
in the Du Barry style.
Ann blinked, halted.
It was Paul Bradley, the mer
chandise-manager, rising from
rose velvet couch, coming towards
her.
Waves of lovely color swept into
her face.
He had come here for quick
stolen meeting? The faint aroma
of the dainty garments all about
them gave an added touch o1
femininity. Quiet, secluded, per
fumed. wasn't it an ideal setting
for q kiss :?
"Good morning. This is ar
early meeting" smiled Ann.
But there was no smile on the
lips of the merchandise-manager
His mouth looked tense as, for 9
moment, he stared at her silently
Was he regretting the taxi ride
in the early hours of Sunday
morning? Already, in, sane anc
sober mood, was he regarding i
as an indiScretion?
What did she really know abou
him? Perhaps after a party i
was his habit to make love t.
pretty girls? They'd all drunl
plenty Of champagne at 4 Rocco
Perhaps he only regarded tn
aftermath as an incident? Hat
she cheapened herself? Sh
couldn't bear it if he thought SC
CHAPTER XVIII
"You-you look terribly serious
Is anything the matter?" Anr
stammered.
I'm afraid so. You wer
wanted Yesterday afternoon b