The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-01-13

bills were still to come; and asidt from the fact that she would need a great deal of ready money dur ing the next few days, there was Lance had told her, an immediate payment due upon the house.
 She must make sure, when she talked to MT. Bryant tomorrow to arrange for those payments And perhaps, after al, there might be enough margin to take care of the difference between the rent on this apartment and that of the smaller one Aunt Mary talked ot taking at the Avalon
 Janet had just thrown the last envelope into the wastebasket when Aunt Mary opened the door.
 Janet Dwight" she cried, sweeping down upon her niece with all the indignant authority of her five feet two. Do you mean to tell me that you haven't taken off those wet things yet? Get them off this minute, and yourself into a hot tub of water. After that, you're going to bed"
 But Aunt Mary" Janet pro- tested, I'm not ready to go to bed Besides, I want my dinner. This business of rushing around get ting ready to be married burns up the calories."
 T did not ask you whether or not you were ready. Aunt Mary placidly folded hands which, not so many years ago, had so capably yielded switch. When Aunt Mary spoke in that tone, Janet almost forgot for the moment that the switch was not still at hand "Margy will bring you a tray m due time."
 So Janet soaked in fragrant warm suds for luxurious half hour; then she slipped into soft green negligee, and after the hot soup omelet, and salad which Margy brought her, snapped on her bed lamp and stretched out with a new book.
 It really was blissful to have an idle evening alone after the last few weeks mad round of fittings and showers and late parties.
 She had read a chapter or two when knock sounded at her door and Cynthia slipped into the room u was worthy of note that Gym thia had bothered to knock at all; but it was not that which made Janet put down her book and give her undivided attention to her cousin.
 There was in Cynthias manner as she poised there, a slim, black gowned silhouette leaning againN the creamy panel of the door, strange, almost breathless excite ment. It dilated the pupils of her violet eyes, and lent 8 new trans parency to the pallor of her skin against the dark cloud of hair that hung to her shoulders.
 She was wearing black dinner frock with a long full skirt that rippled about her silver sandals in lustrous folds. The slim tight basque had silver buttons up the front and slashes of silver at the wrists. It was a dress which Janet did not recognize.
 Cynthia's eyes followed her own as they swept over it.
 ''No, you've never seen 1t before, Cynthia said. I'm sorry about It. Jan. I should have asked you first; but after I'd seen it, just couldn't risk having somebody beat me tc it."
 Ut does suit you marvellously, Jan said.
 of course you know I shouldn't have bought it if I'd known-about Aunt Mary's money. I tried to return it today, but the store had made a lot of alterations on it."
 Tt would have been a pity to send it back. It does things for you, Cyn. It makes you look like a princess out of a story book"
 T know it's knockout. That's why I'm wearing it tonight. have an idea - Cynthia went even paler and broke of on a caught breath - T have an idea I'm going to make it pay for it. self"
 Janet exclaimed, Cynthia - but you can't mean that you're going to sell it?"
 Sell it?" Cynthia's smile twist ed little. Perhaps that's not such a bad way to put it But not in the way you mean, Jan."
 Jan opened her lips to ask, Cynthia, what on earth are you talking about?" Then her mem- cry echoed Aunt Mary's words of the afternoon, Just as much as Cynthia usually means when she's feeling dramatic" and she laughed softly.
 well, have yourself a good time," she said. And, Gym, don't worry about the dress. We just won't tell Aunt Mary
 She took up her book again. But Cynthia fingered, her glance bent as if in complete concentration up-