Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise., 1938-11-04
bewitched him

!
"Speak to me of Love that l am
longing to hear :" the leader of the
orchestra sang thru his megaphone.
1t brought Brenda back to him. Bren-
da who had obviously wanted re-
sponse that he could never give.
Love was an ignoble thing, making
fools of ordinarily quite sane people,
such as the Gift Shop buyer.
But this adorable child in his arms
(young in years but no child, appar-
emily, in her knowledge of mans vul-
nerability) was certainly no fool. She
was remarkably well poised.
What was going on in her mind as
they danced? he wondered.
Ann was thinking: Tiles the most
fascinating man I've ever known-but
do I know him at all? He likes me
now-perhaps more than likes-but
whenever this divine music ends, he'll
be quite cool and distant. It's mad
dening!"
She gave herself up to the beauti-
full unreality that the waltz engender-
ed.
Closer-he was holding her closer
so that the white orchids on her
right shoulder touched his chin-that
strong chin with the cleft in it.
eff I could only make him fall in
love with mel" she told herself, feel
ing the magnetic current flowing be-
tween them, wrapping them round so
that, as they swayed together in COM
plete unison, they seemed utterly iso-
lated from the other dancers.
Was it only sex-attraction?
The glamour of his high position in
the store as compared with her own
humble one?
Was it his undeniably handsome
looks?
But in her short life, she had known
plenty of good-looking men.
Was it his usually aloof attitude?
That sense of withdrawal about him 2
Oh! that this gorgeous music might
never end!
1t did, however. There was an en-
core. After it was over, Paul said
brusquely: Lets sit out somewhere
and have cigarette, shall WEI"
Nothing could have pleased Ann
better.
Paul found a secluded nook and a
comfortable divan.
Ann sank down on it, curling her
slim legs under her in little-girl fash
ion.
Let him start the conversation, she
decided. He was too accustomed to
women playing up to him.
He leaned back beside her on the
divan that was plentifully supplied
with gay cushions. He puffed his
cigarette, blew ring of smoke into
the air, watched it circle.
The silence was prolonged. 1t be-
came embarrassing to Ann.
"What do you see in the smoke?
You look so absolutely intent" she
smiled at him.
Secrets"
"Ha! That's your long suit, is it
not?"
What do you mean?"
"That you don't want anybody to
know your real mind" she ventured.
He suggested: Getting to know
mems minds is somelhat of hob
by of yours? Not SC?
"What makes you imagine such a
thing?'
Because, firstly, I have eyes in my
head. And secondly, psychology has
always been rather a hobby Of mine"
Puzzled, she caught her underIip
in her teeth.
"You don't mean, do you, that you
consider I'm some sort of a horrible
scalp-hunter?"
lie melted little. lie smiled: LA
Belle Dame Sans Merci," he murmur-
ed.
That's terribly leIt-handed COM
pliment. Doesn't a verse of it run
"A rag and bone and a hank of hair,
they called her The Woman Who
Didn't Care
'But the fool he called her his Lady
Fair!" he supplemented.
There was glow in his eyes, turned
full upon her now, whether with ac-
cusation or ardor she had no notion.
Away this queer clash between
them when they were alone. What
had she done? If he disaproved of
her, why had he sought her as part
ner?
/ With all her heart she wished she
/ had the intuition to time in on his han