The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-07
CHAPTER xxvI

CHAPTER XXVI
 Susie decided to take chance. In Rivertown she might pass unnoticed or, if discovered, acclaimed for her amazing prowess. If she treated the matter casually Dick would natiur- ally see it in the same light. He had liked her in the older day, he had been sorry for her. That might prove the perfect background for his pres ent love. At any rate she would chance it, trusting to her wits to rull her through any awkward situ- ations.
 Dick inadvertently made her plan feasible at dinner that night. He was talking of the intended jaunt.
 "It'll be fun to get back to the campus again." he said. "See everyone used to know. My class is gone, of course, but I know plenty of fellows and girls"
 "Lots of fun," she agreed ner- vously.
 Were you ever at Rivertown, Suzanne?" he asked.
 "Oh, yes. I learned to sing at the University"
 He looked at her speculatively. Funny that I never saw you there"
 I worked my way through. Went to night and summer classes"
 "What about your family? Could n't they help you?" He appeared to think nothing of her having been 8 toiler. It was encouraging.
 My father is a farmer up state. He had plenty before the depres- sion, but" She shrugged ex- pressively. T want you to meet my father He's one of the best"
 I'd like to meet him." He smiled at her. Judging from his daughter he must be rather won- derful."
 "I think so," she finished de- murely. Dick wouldn't care for Martha, but he couldn't help lik- ing her fortnight, ruddy father. Dan Lambert was smart, he'd been 8 power before the depression.
 Lets start early tomorrow" Dick was saying. T want to barge into the Waffle Shoppe about four. Re- member it?"
 Did she remember the Waffle Sh0ppe? "Yes," she said, T re- niember 1t" Should she tell him? Now was the time if ever.
 There's a girl who makes waf- fles, guess you'd call her a woman.' Dick went on thoughtfully. She's huge and terrible looking, but her waffles are something to write home about. Do you remember her?"
 "Yes." She must tell him. If, and when, he learned the truth he would have a right to think that she had been deceitful. She opened her lips to speak.
 "Her name is Susie," Dick ru- minated, half smile on his lips. "She certainly had a crush on yours truly. I did her a nasty trick once, was always ashamed of l myself. Used to drop in every afternoon at four so she'd know I | liked her" Throwing back his 1 head he laughed. "She used to | get positively purple, waiting on | me-"
 Susie could feel the old inferior ity returning to her. Color flooded | her face and she felt sure it must | be of purplish hue. Fumbling in her purse she brought out the silver compact which had been a favor at that party long ago when Dick had let her down.
 "Dick," she began, her tongue paralyzed with dread, "did you ever see this before?"
 He examined the compact. Sure hundreds of them. Not being very original we used them for party favors year on end. Whered you get it?"
 Susie swallowed painfully. Dick"
 At that moment he jumped to his feet as Hester, his sister, and a group of friends bore down upon them.
 There was an exchange of con- verSat1on, Hester a bit snooty, ob- viously disappearing the tete-a- tete dinner.
 Dick urged them to attend Su- zanne's broadcast and they accepted. Susie was not alone with Dick again until he took her home. When she left him at the elevator, promising to be ready at 10 in the morning the confession had not been made Guiltily, with apprehension growing momentarily, Susie went to bed. The trip to Rivertown now appeared in the light of a calamity, the setting for her downfall.
 The next morning, carrying A small, fitted case, she almost bumped into Jeff as she stepped from the elevator. With a ioyous greeting he caught her hand and pulled her out of the confused
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