The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-09

name of that sta
 "Why nol?"
 T just can't, Bob. Truly can't There's so much to do ."
 "What?'
 "Oh, just everything" she said, namely, trying to itemize the many details in her own mind. T have no clothes ."
 You have plenty of clothes" he contradicted. And we can get sum- mer things in Bermuda"
 There's the office. I can't just run off and leave my work"
 You can arrange to leave it for a week or two" he insisted his voice deep with persuasion. Then you can come back and Straighten everything out before leaving per manently. Joan, darling, there's nothing to wait for. Why, when go out to the Inn every night and sit in my little cubby-hole of room, knowing you're all alone in your old maids roost here in town well, it all seems so SenSeleSS that I swear I'll carry you off by force the next day Joan, will you marry me next week?''
 Next week?" she repeated weak ly. But MT. Hendry will be away for three weeks. He'll need me here while he's gone.'
 NO, he won't. Miss Meade can take care of anything special. We can get married Saturday morning, Joan. That gives you a whole week to buy clothes"
 1 But"
 The inter-Cffic phone on loans desk gave sudden click.
 MT. Hendry's just hung up, Bob He'll be waiting for you"
 All right. But I'm going to tell him we're both taking a week of :" He disappeared into the other office.
 Joan remained at the window, her heart beating with a wild, sweet excitement. For over two weeks now, ever since the Frolic, Bob had been continually urging her to set a definite date for their wedding. She had begged for time to make some sort of preparation, yet now she asked herself what all this preparation meant, anyway.
 A few new dresses-lingerie III luxurious abundance - a hope chest filled to overflowing with linens and embroideries .. were those things, after all, so altogether important?
 People did get married on the spur of the moment, In the news papers. it always sounded delight fully dramatic, yet it would not be her way. She would want to be sure of the road ahead. There was so much that was terrible on the road backward.
 She wondered if it were that thought which still stood between them, if it was that which made her hesitate at the thought of mar riage. But no. Sc had put the past out of her mind forever. She would never look back again-not ever.
 She turned and looked down the river again. The Queen was well under way, her colors flying gall lantly in the breeze as she steamed out in the mighty end less Atlantic. Today the sky was clear and cloudless, but if storms lay over the horizon, it made no difference. The ship would sail on, valiant and courageous, because her course was set straight. There was no wavering once mariner set his course.
 q have set my course, too, " Joan told herself. There's only one way for me to sail now-and that is straight ahead"
 For the first time she realized how simple it all was. A quiet we'd ding, a quick taxi trip to the ship, and within a few minutes Joan Barrett would be lost in the past, forever, as Mrs. Robert Andrews sailed off into a new world Of her own making.
 Suddenly she knew that the mo- ment Bob came out of MT. Hen drys office, she would agree to his
  plan. The things she had thought important - the bridal finery and embroideries - these were but the details of marriage. They would all come in time. The real joy was the continuation of this happiness they had found together.
 The buzzer over her desk sounded indicating that she was wanted ln MT. Hendry's office. She picked up her notebook and went in,, wonder ing whether Bob had spoken ot their plans as yet.
 They were both watching the door as she entered. MT. Hendry smiled brightly.
 T tell you, Bob" he leased, she's a new girl since she took an option on you. Look at her eyes sparkle - there now, don't blush. It's the truth. I swear, it makes me feel like a young fellow again, just to see the two of you in love-"
 Bob grinned foolishly. Would it break your heart young lady" MT. Hendry went on,