The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-08
CHAPTER w

The girl sat down on the near est chair, as though her knees would have given way beneath her if she had not.
 "What do you meanP" she asked. Like like The Prince and The Pauper?"
 "Yes and mo-" Connie returned. Agaln she nodded with satisfac- ton. We look almost enough alike, at that blue eyes, hair the same shade, weight and height At least enough for any one who did not know us. Reporters and photographers, for instance" The light in her eyes glowed even more brightly than before. Did you really mean it when you sad you'd like to me me?" she de- manded.
 Did I mean itl"
 "Then get out of your clothes" '" Connie commanded. She crossed the room; bolted the door. "Hurryl" she said impatiently, when she saw that the girl had not moved. We can work out the details when we change. I'll leave note for Uncle Tippy, he's my guardian, perfect dear; he'll understood, do as I tell him. I can slip out, carrying that box, i'll your things, and no one will stop me. Here!" She yanked of her negligee, tossed it toward her visi- tor, who still sat as if in a trance.
 "Why don't you get started?" Connie scolded. Someone will be sure to come. You don't know this place, no privacy never let you alone. There isn't anyone who'll care if you send word you had chance to go away, is there? No one who would interfere?"
 "No, there's no one" the girl said. Mechanically, as though moved by the inward fire that drove Connie, she had begun to unlace her shoes, peel down her hose.
 "Good!" Connie said. We can tell the papers I've had nervous breakdown - Lord knows would have had if I'd had to spend an- other hour in this prison - and Uncle Tippy can hustle you out, in my clothes Would you like a trip on a yacht?" By this time Connie was hooking the girls plain worn skirt about her own slim waist.
 Like it?" the girl said. She still moved as a Somnambulist might, half awake, half dreaming. T never was on a yacht in all my life. I never dared even hope I might ever be-"
 "It's a very nice yacht" Connie murmured. Why, even the shoes fit perfectly! This was the craz- jest, the most daring, the most ex- citing idea she had ever had. And Connie had had plenty of ideas. Its 264 feet long, has a crew of q men, and cost $1,250,0O0."
 The girl sat down again.
 Don't do that!" Connie repri- Pull on my negngee, climb into my bed - and stay in it as long as you like - and dash of that letter for me to drop in 8 box to your family"
 My family won't worry about me-" the girl said briefly. Besides I told them just last night I was moving out on my own. There's only one person But mo-" she drew her finely arched dark brows together in a little frown not unlike the one that often Comics smooth brow, q won't send him word, either" Her blue eyes blazed with 8 hidden fire not unlike the one that often smoldered behind Comics.
 we quarreled last night" she My steady and I. Every one thought we'd get married some day. But I told him I was sick of being courted with my whole family looking on-there are eight of us, you know, besides Grandma WertZ, who's come to live with us now. That was the trouble, as told Tom, we never had any freedom, any privacy. Why, would you believe it, when Tom stole a kiss last night, a cop came along and ordered us to move off his old park bench, said he'd have to lock US up if we didn't, as it was after II. That was when I broke it all off" she finished, some of the fire dying down in her now. q told Tom it wasn't any use. Ro- nance should be secret. I told him I never wanted to see him again. And I meant it."
 Romance should be secret. The phrase vibrated within Connie, seemed to strike some responsive