The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-31
CHAPTER XVIII

6Ally GuOuSIlL 1L WdS GdtAAck OAu' the day after that near-accident, that Dan did not telephone. Of course he had sent his excuses for not rejoining the party through Corey. But Sally rather expected him to make them in person.
 She kept listening for the phone, hoping each call would be one from Dan. But the day wore on without this hope being realized. Perhaps he would wait and come out to the house in the evening. But the evening, which seemed longer than usual too, dragged by and Dan did not put in an ap- pearance. Sally still felt de- pressed.
 The following day. somewhat reluctantly, she kept a luncheon appointment in the city with Babe, though only after leaving strict instruction at home to have every telephone call marked down that came in for her. Babe wanted to look at new fall fashions which were being temptingly displayed, even though the Iate August sun was still so persistent, in shops and windows. Sal!y's mind was not on such frivolities. She was anxious, only, to return home for fear Dan might have telephoned during her absence.
 She thought once or twice of calling him, but she did not like to call his office. If there was no message from Dan when she got home she decided she would put pride aside and call him at his cousins.
 Were there any calls for me, Alison?" she asked even before she had pulled of her white hat and shed her gloves and purse.
 The maid replied that there had been two calls for Miss Blair.
 "Yes?" Sally said, her heart lifting eagerly. Was one from MT. Reynolds?" Oh dear! why hadn't she stayed home. instead of going shopping with Babe? Did he leave any message Ali son?"
 I'm sorry, Miss" Alison re- turned, for she knew by this time what young man her young mis- troeS was most interested in. ''BOth calls were fro n MT Porter He said to tell you he would be out this evening right after din- ner. About eight-thirtS I believe he said, Miss Sally"
 
 ~Are you sure there wasn't any other call?" Sally persisted. That lift had let her heart down now completely.
 "Yes, I'm sure, Miss Sally. I took all the calls, myself, just as you asked" Alison's look was faintly reproving. Her young mis- traIs ought to know her orders would be carried out faithfully.
 That's all right, thark you, Alison" Sally made up for that moments doubt by a sweet smile of apology. But she just could not believe that Dan would not have telephoned her. Probably because she did not want to be- heve it. She asked the maid to run her bath, slipped out of her street clothes into cool negligee. She would get freshened up and choose one of her prettiest frocks for this evening. Not because Corey was driving out. But be- cause, even though he had not telephoned, there was still the hope that Dan would come out. too.
 But no, she would not - could not - wait or hope any longer. She would put in call at Dams cou- sins house. She asked Alison to lay cut her things for her, the cobwebby silk and lace under things, the lovely coral organza frock with its rows and rows of tiny ruffles. Once Dan had told her he thought she looked more like a princess than ever in that lovely dress. She wished, though, as she put in her call for Dan, that he would not think of her as a princess. Goodness knows she wasn't; she was only a mortal maid. When love stepped in one girl was much like every other.
 It was a girls voice that an- swered Sally's request to speak with Dan.
 ''T'm sorry. Dan isn't here" this unknown girls voice said. It was pleasant voice, young and gentle
 DO you expect him this even- tng?" Sally inquired. Her heart hammered so loudly that she won- dered if it, too, could be heard ovee the wire.
 "Why, no :" the voice seem- ed to hesitate a moment. Then con- tinued, Dan isn't staying here any longer. He left the city yesterday"
 .
 Left the city!" Sallyis voice was incredulous. Her heart no longer hammered; 1t stood still, seized once