The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-02-07
CHAPTER II

As If he had complimented Susie, instead of her waffles, she flushed with pleasure. Dick would always re- member her waffles, that was some thing. She brought his plate, add ing another pat of butter, she drew his coffee as if 1t were rite and filled a glass with ice water, Her hands trembled as she put the cof- fec beside his plate. The brown liquid sloshed over little and she quickly got another saucer, Leaning against the counter she watched him spread the butter and empty the jug of syrup, He said nothing eating.
 In the back of SuSie's mind ran a monotonous dirge, This is the last time-this is the last time-thiS is'. She must talk. Dick would raise his eyes if she talked.
 "I--I saw you graduate this morn- ing" she found voice to say,
 "How'd doP All right9"
 "Oh, yes-".
 "S'pose you'll be getting a sheep- skin one of these days"
 Not for two more years fore ing out the words past the dread- full lump in her throat. Tt takes so long night classes and sum mer short courses. In a mad desire to narrow the distance be- tween Dick and herself she had entered the music college. Her strangely sweet voice had never caused comment, 1t was too incon- gruous coming from Susie, She also studied French and literature, cul- ttiral things, blindly endeavoring to measure up,
 Two years will pass in no time,' he said encouragingly.
 Without you there will be no time, ran the dirge in Susie's heart. Aloud she asked, Are you going away to- day2'
 "Yep-how about another cup of coffee-all packed - bags in the car.
 She brought the coffee. ITO Chicago?" her voice rough with the pain of holding on,
 He nodded. For e week or so to see the family, Then I'm off to California. I've got e job there He was happy.
 1t crossed her mind to wonder why Dick Tremaine should be so pleased over a Job, Were not his people In the social registerp Things like that made Dick so irresistible, his total lack of snobbery. But Cali- fognia so far away,
 Building things9" she asked. Dick was now e full-fiedged architect,
 Building e summer colony on the ocean not far from Laguna Beach. I sent some sketches to the firm and they hired me- he explained with Q hcy!Sh swagger to his voice.
 SThats lovely"
 sYeah, isn't it9" He had fin- ished his waffle and second cup of coffee but made no move to rise, Tossing 30 cents on the counter he waited for his change. That was another thing Susie liked about Dick. He never tipped her. A tip would have placed her deh- nitely beneath him. He'd done so many kind, thoughtful things since that night - he'd left so many things charitably undone. Now, in just Q moment, he would leave.
 Susie reached under the coun- ter, her fingers closed on q small, neatly wrapped package. She had nothing to lose, buying something for Dick had given her pleasure.
 TT have c little graduation gift for you, Dick" she said, abe surd, even to herself, in her quiv- ering eagerness. She pushed the package across the counter.
 "Susie -- that's wonderful of you -- wonderful. Slightly embar- rassed, he united the paper ribbon. The box contained c tic clip. It had cost Susie several dollars. Watching him open the box her palms were damp, her mouth dry. Dick said "Thank you. susie--f like 1t c lot"
 Tears swan in her eyes. I'm glad you like t." she said.
 Dick thoughtfully dropped the case into his pocket. Suddenly he jerked up his head and looked straight into her brimming eyes You know Two always been sorry Susie" he said.
 "Yes."
 He frowned. "sorry - it's . small word-".
 "You've Shown me in c hundred ways-and 1 never blamed you" Il was the nearest Susie had ever come to q romantic conversation, to c dis play of emotion, and she trembled from the top of her bobbed head to the soles Of her sensible shoes. She twisted her homeiy hands nervous ".
 But then susles little moment ended with the opening of the door. A girl came in. She was petite and smart, golden curls framed her lovely face. With c swift, graceful rush she crossed the room md slid to c stool beside Dick. Susie blindly went back to the waffle irons. She was not Jealous, long since had futility and hopelessneas taken the place Of lesser emotions.