The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-30

8no was onSuEoeu m nog tnUuBHtA when she noticed Q man smiling and nodding to her across the aisle. I' was the funny foreign looking little man who had talked Co her about her singing. Now, catching her eye he leaned over, his round face erinkllng like . wlstful little boys.
 "ooing home for Christmas din' nerP" he asked with that strange twist to the words that was moi quite on accent
 "No," said Linda after . moment during which she remembered duly that today was indeed Christmas "Just--to the city"
 "Ah" he said. Me, too, worse luckl I was lucky to have even Christmas Eve with my mother Christmas is Q big day in my busi- ness. And when you got Q business of your own, 1t seems nothing goes right unless you are there."
 "No. l suppose not" murmured Linda, wondering without interest what his business was.
 "You have friends in the city, mebbie2" he persisted.
 Linda wished he would leave her alone; but his bright dark eyes were SO full of inoffensive friendlincss that she answered, "No, I'm going on--on business. I wonder if you can tell me something about the hotels2"
 "Of course. On business" He nodded as if 1t were the most nat. ural thing in the world to plan c business trip for Christmas day; but he shot her c shrewd, apprais- ing glance.
 "You 20 to the Somerset" he ad- vised her. "That's Q nice quiet place for ladies alone"
 When they parted ct the depot, he slipped Q card into her hand.
 "Weil. c happy ChristmaS" he said with his puckered, wstful smile. Maybe you look me up sometime. If there is something l can do, I shall Do very happy"
 Linda paid for her room ct the hotel for two days in advance. That, ct least, was secure. But the "nice quiet hotel for ladies alone" proved unexpectedly expensive, and she had forgotten that taxicabs were not within the limits of her budget. She would need to cash c check; but over the hotel desk she had seen the notice. No Checks Cashed."
 Perhaps the little man or the train--his eyes had been very kind. She hunted out Of her purse the card he had given her.
 Irony Abruzzi," sine read on t. "Villa AbruzN Floor Show :. Fine Wines end Liquors ... Select Parties c Speciality"
 Well, she might as well eat her dinner ct Tony's since she was to ask c favor Of him For suddenly she realized that she had not eaten that day, and that sine was faint with hunger.
 It had not occurred to her that Tonys place could be go pretenti0ts. Tn itS luxurious, sophisticated get- ting, his round. .black.clad figure seemed drolI and Insignificant. Yet Linda, watching from her table. saw that many Of the guests seemed pleased and even hatteFed when he noticed them personally.
 He discovered Linda just aS her order was put before her-a modest one, for T0ny'S prices were iSI the upper brackets.
 "What7" he cried, glancing st her slip. "ealad-for Christmas din. nerl That viii never do. =. PietFop he summoned c waiter. There B . mistake here" He gcribbIed atl order. And this lady jS my guest, tonight, Pictro," he added. See that she has every attention"
 When Linda, afln0yad and ei1baY. raSged, tried to protest, his round face was droIl with disappointment
 "Ah, I StaIl be biTt-but huftr he cried, If you % sway without tasting the best we have. If you do, you teli aIi your friends b0W super colossal the Vijia Abruzzi js, And ase we not sii friends on ChristmaS?"
 Linda was too numb to object further, She thanked him jn her sweet, low voice, and let them place the food before her,
 It aji made the matter q cash ing the check . little eFnbaSYaGS- ing, But Tony made t very easy, He brought the money for her, hirI- self, Wthout question CT comment as if t were aII quite tn the days routine.
 
 When ne had put t On tire tsbIe before her, he drew ttD q chair OD- Vs6.EitN fa1V and SAt AAUfa.