The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-03-22

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 T do thank you. ever so much" Marcia wac saying when McDou- gall became conscious Qf anything except the fact that nc ewas cRnc- ing with her. T have been WAnt- ing to say that to you ln person, for ever sO long," N For the while, at least. Mcpcu- gall was, in obedience to his own command, snappiflg out Of 1t. Some self-asuraIlce returned some cheerfilness.
 "'Don't mention it' and You're quite welcome" he quoted. laugh ing at her. Besides that what else could you have expected from any person who happened on the scene at the moment I did2" A strange young man, thought Marcia - though, indeed, his logic was iinassailable.
 Someone quickly cut in on their dance.
 McDougall, in turn, cut in on Dorothy Osborn's partner. He recalled as they danced. his Ieel- ing of obligation to her for the dinner date broken by Marcia's accident, and he wondered, with some amusement, whether he was now able to repay that debt to a woman who since had found her. self on tt.e threshold of a Broad way career, and who therefore was a different woman than the one who had 50 kindly offered the hospitality of her home to a new conner in the village. He did not know the new Dor othy, any more than he had s,is- pected the old.
 He asked about her fortlncom- ing work on the stage. RehearSalS were to start soon. she told him, for Q new Lloyd Burtis play, in which she was to have better part than she had dared hope. She was, of course. both frightened and thrilled at the prospect. "A good deal she said, Hike the bride in one of your sketches I saw in the newspaper week or SO ago-do you remem- Der the one"
 The idea of a gift occurred to Mo- Dougall, a gift which she might care for as marking her arrival on Broadway.
 Would you," he asked, If you can spare the time, dress as you will appear in the part and let me do a portrait sketch of you? It won't be the worlds greatest art work, but perhaps it will be your first portrait, and you can keep it to laugh at when you can acquired a bigger and better col- lection"
 Dorothy was more genuinely fiattered than he would have be- lieved. Broadway--that was ahead, but the attentions. of friends and neighbors of Bobbs Neck were in the present, and McDougall's offer was far from among the least.
 They arranged to meet on Mon- day afternoon for the sketch.
 Joan, meanwhile, had compelled Mike to dance with her.: aud Mo- Dougall cut in with q sigh of relief" she said, from my darl- ing husband"
 How goes 1t" Joan asked, looking up at McDougall with a glance which he, being inexpe- rienced, sid not know waS .analy-
 Tt goes grand" he replied. Immediately a man cut in. Ignor- ing the fact Joan made ct him over the newcomers shoulder, the artist found his way through the crowd and broke in on Helef1's dance. Thanks, stranger" said Helen. "The man you supplanted was giving me some tough walking And would you do me a further favor As one of the hostesses, there are Q few things I could be seeing to. If you'll drop me off over near the door I'll leave you for just couple of minutes, and when come back I'll bring you something to drink and be ever so sweet to you for your kindness"
 Obediently McDougall pushed to- ward the door she had indicated. In the hall she showed him the lib- rary.
 Make yourself comfortable by the fire in there, if you like" she said. "I'll only be a moment"
 McDougall went into the still, book lined room and stretched luxuriously in e great sofa before the fireplace. The sound of the music was faint. No one else was here. but he heard voices from another room beyond, sunroom