The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-02

about skirt lengths and peplums and sleeves.
 "Confound 1t, Judy, it's your fault this happened" Phil talked on, hands in pockets as he tramped the floor. Nobody speaks of you as person. It's your ward- robe that they talk about. You ought to look into that. Do some- thing about it."
 Judith knew that she should arise ''r honest wrath. So he could tss hs. love aside, and then say that 1t was something she had brought on herselfl Only she couldn't be angry. She knew Phil too well-knew that he was like a small boy seeking a reason for an action. She knew too, that he quoted Marta Rogers words for his own, something he himself didn't understand.
 Her mind went back to the small girl she had been, who had worn such ragged things from secondhand stores in Pittsburgh. Even then, though, she had had Q flair for line and color. She had wanted to be a designer so she had come to New York, after high school, had a minor chorus Job while she studied stenography and later became secretary to a capable designer. When the wo- man went to Paris one spring, she took Judith with her. They had gone down to Venice for a weeks rest at the Lido.
 There, Judith had met Phil Seven years before, 1t had been The scene came back now, while the rain beat its monotone against the windows where the golder draperies were drawn. She coule sec 1t all the riotous stripes oi f color in the cabanas, the white sands and blue waters of tho Adriatic. The tinkle of glasses the whisper of music
 T saw you last night" a strange young man, tanned and friendly had said. T liked your frock anc your smile"
 Yes, clothes had started 1t. Odd that never once in all these years had she thought of that.
 It had been wine-red summer crepe - Dubonnet, the stylists called 1t this year. She had a suit of the color, sports frock and a dinner dress, in her wardrobe at the moment.
 Her thoughts went back to Venice white moons on the water, gondoliers whose songs were threaded with eternal beauty and love. They had been married the next year. And now ..
 Realizing thct she must make a gesture at wisdom, she smiled as she answered.: Its only life, Phil We can't control the pattern. And want you to be happy Phil. l will, too. We'll always be- friends?" Friends - 1t was such an unimportant word for two who had been so much more.
 She saw the relief in his eyes because something hard had been dealt with successfully, because she had not been hysterical, be- cause he was free. She held out her hand and his pressure was SC hard, so strong that she could have cried out at the sharp pain Maybe he loved her and didn't know 1t. Maybe he would finc out sometime.
 She was glad when she heard voices in the adjoining room She sat at the head of the long dining room table. where yellow dishes gleamed against green linen for the lodge was simply furnished and kept the conversational ball bouncing gaily from hand to hand Mouth to nouth-she corrected her self. Like trained seals. She almost laughed aloud at that thought. She wondered what would happen il suddenly she should say: My hus- band doesn't love me any more. I'm a clothes horse, drcSs-maker's model. hat and gown and pair oi slippers. Stand up, Marta, and take bow. And please, always wear pink frocks, just like the one you have on, in the country. Phil hates pink dresses"
 Instead she sat still, like a we'll trained ghost, until Marta noticed 1t.
 You're quiet. Judith" she said
 The silence was noticeable.
 I'm sorry. I lost something. was thinking about it."
 She wondered later why sht noticed that Marta's eyes went tc her throat where the pearls lay "A ring or bracelet?" Marta asked
 Even now, Marta dealt in the material, Judith reflected. Sht |