Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise., 1938-10-14
CHAPTER VI

still at MS desk. III Was SpdTkllilS
morning in the third week of Novem-
Der. A tang was in the air to fire
ones blood and ones imagination. The
discussion anent masks and dominoeS
brought recollection of his witty little
partner at the Carnival. Who was
she? Was it possible that it was Ann
Delafield herself?
For one who was confirmed bach
elor, his life dedicated to his business,
it had been disconcerting that during
the weekend intervening between
now and the Ice Carnival, thoughts
of the unknown girl, as lovely as a
flight of bluebirds, had fitted con-
tinuously through his mind.
He had driven to Sleepy Hollow for
air and exercise and golf. He had
played badly on Sunday morning
his game, he was-and ridden horse
back during the afternoon through
woodland glades that were like fairy
land. Autumn leaves fingered on the
trees. The sense of fleeting beauty
filled him with bitter-sweet nostalgia.
For what?
For happiness in life! For some
thing in this world of change, that one
could cling to.
After dinner at the club that night,
sitting before log fire, pipe in hand,
a highball at his elbow, it was curious
that q girls face rose in the blue
smoke, nebulously.
But romantic love was a flop these
days. It didn't last. Witness the
marriages of everyone about him!
Even outside of marriage it didn't
mean anything for long. Who, in the
impermanent atmosphere of today had
a claim on the affection of anybody?
Work was the one solidity in life.
1t never failed one.
Big obstacles to overcome were
grand, whetting ones zeal.
If it weren't for the petty annoy
ances.
Like Brenda Selz, who had always
seemed charming woman, he had
thought, having it in for the little
comparison-shopper
And Renita Paris, Head of Stock
in the Dress Department, who had
been extremely competent until she
saw Ann with Gordon Gavin. Since
which time it was only too obvious she
had been drinking too much.
The Dress department was tagging
in figures, getting behind. He must
call the Dress Buyer, and Renita, and
plan a promotion campaign to bring
figures up to par, to show the neces-
sary increase expected.
Changing the window might do the
trick. Putting brighter dresses in. He
would hold meeting of the girls in
the dress department, popping them
up, perhaps giving them prizes for
doing a certain amount of business?
And definitely he must have a SER
los talk with Renita, cautioning her
about drinking.
Concerning the Dress department,
too, it would be good idea to have
newspaper campaign. Should he fire
Gordon Gavin for incompetency in
copywriting? No, the lad wasn't dull,
it was just that his work was unequal
due to his moodiness. The kid had had
tough luck in the crash of his father.
fortune, and the suicide of his father.
Not that that must be permitted to
influence one in business.
Renita, normally, was bright, and
perhaps might work alongside young
Gavin in the big advertising layout
for the Dress department That
would give them a chance to get to-
gether and, maybe patch up their diff
ferences?
For the Merchandise-Manag as
will be seen, had soft spot for ro-
nance, though he would be the last
person to admit it.
He remembered seeing Ann Della
field, lunching with Gordon Gavin in
the store restaurant the very day he
had engaged her. Did the wind lie
in that quarter? Was that why Re-
nita had been drinking lately?
No time to dawdle. He pulled out
his watch.
Dangling close to it on the thin
chain was the absurd black onyx cat
that the masked and hooded girl had
given him at the Carnival!
"Mr. Bradley, may l speak to you
minute?" Ann Delafield stood be-
fore him, her slim hands clasped in
front of her.
Light from the window caught a
bracelet on her wrist that was strung
with tiny toy animals.