The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-14
CHAPTER X

After minute or two, Joan's tele- phone ceased to ring She breathed easier in the silence that filled the room. There was still much to do. Plans to make.
 It was fortunate that she had almost $500 in the bank. She would draw it out in the morning It would take care of her until she found another job.
 A few days before, she had planned more pleasant ways of spending it. To buy lingerie - luxurious and Shimmering. Table linens and dish towels the be- ginning of hope chest. And a smart new travelling outfit, the sort that would look well on the Queen of Bermuda"-a honey moon ensemble
 Bobs photograph stood on the bureau. She took it up tenderly, caressingly, and as she looked in- to the clear. smiling gray eyes, her own filled with tears Tonight she was cutting the last tie that bound them. In the morning she would be out of his life forever. Forever. There could be no dream of meeting him again. Not ever, no matter how many long years dragged into the future.
 The same cold Fate which had taken her father from her mother was forcing Bob out of her life now. She, too, must tread life'S path alone, her heart slowly whitening within her breast. Like her mother, she too, would reap her final reward in loney room, deserted and forgotten.
 "Goodby, Bob," she whispered "Goodby, my dearest ."
 She leaned against the wall, the picture clutched to her heart, and tears streamed down her cheeks.
 It was knock on her door, sharp and imperative, which recalled her to the present. First the phone, now the door Who could it be?
 For moment she stood there, thinking of escape But there was no point in pretending to be NAVs NAAC 4A5A4b III HUI 1OOAAl Erightly over the transom. Who ever was outside would know she was at home.
 "Joan!" A voice called brightly. sJoan Barretti" t-4.,'
 Joan opened the door. Dorothy Starke came into her room.
 Joan! You didn't answer the phone, but the room-clerk saw you come in .. Joan, what's the trouble?" '-.'f'-''
 Dorothy looked around the room. at the two bags ready for flight, into the empty closet beyond.
 Joan - you weren't going"
 Slowly Joan sank down on the bed and when she spoke, her voice was hollow "They didn't know about me, Dorothy. I couldn't ever face them now :"
 Dorothy sat down beside her and put an arm about her shoulders. Joan, she said sin cerely, you don't think I'd tell them, do you? Oh, my dear, please don't think that of me-"
 Tt wouldn't be your faullt, Dorothy. Sybil asked"
 "Sybils frost-bitten tabby," ," Dorothy snapped. If you were Bluebeard's sister, I wouldn't give her the pleasure of knowing it Oh, Joan, trust me, please! Don't run away from this!"
 T must, Dorothy. You don't understand ."
 Dorothy reached over and took the picture which Joan still held against her. You love him, don't you Joan?"
 The reply Joan might have given choked in her throat, but Dorothy read the answer in her eyes.
 "You do love him. And you'd walk out like this, without word of explanation?"
 Duly Joan shook her head. T couldn't expect him to feel the same toward me
 "You'd rather have him eat his heart out in uncertainty?" Dorothy persisted, disregarding loans words. You'd rather have him waste his life searching for you, following you over the world in these mad f1ights?"
 "He could forget me-" Joan re- piled weakly.