The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-02-09
sERIAL STORY

AAAs--~l--~-a~-~A - ment. Waiting m the lower hall tense with anticipation, she had opened the door for him. Had hs | looked mortified for a split second Surely not. Smiling, he removed hil hat. Oh, the cleanness of him, the breathtaking sInoothness of his hair the splendor of his evening clothes the whole perfection of him.
 Susie always remembered what he said. Lady, the carriage waits. She had giggled hystefically.
 The carriage was . roadster, long and low and swanly. Susie tripped on her long dress and literally fell Into the seat. The top was down and the night air blew some of the frisz out of her hair, leaving dismally unmanageable strands. On the drive to the fraternity house she laughed too much, talked too much, was iumpy as a toy balloon. All at once Susie was stricken with fear. What went on at @ fraternity dancer She hadn't an idea. Exhilaration dis solved and with 1t went confidence
 i've never been to . nice party she said to Dick. Maybe I shouldn't have come"
 "YouIl get along all right" he as- sured her. "I'll see that you do." He sounded a bit grim.
 He took her to the dressing room and, as she entered, the chatter ceased. Girls everywhere in slim satins, soft chiffons, their heads coiffed smoothly, their eyebrows daintily arched, Some of the girls turned their backs as Susie uncer- tainly took of the spring coat. She heard suppressed snicker. Several of the more kindly inclined said Hello, Susie,' and she stammered an answer. Then the girls left Susie alone, she heard the ripple of their laughter on the stairs.
 Nervously powdering her nose she stopped, aghast at what she saw in the long mirror, squat bulk, overhanging eyebrows, the bulging fatness of her back, Frantically she fused with her hair while pan ic seized her. She couldn't go dowi, she couldn't.
 Then came Dicks voice from somewhere beyond the door. "'Bout ready, Susiea"
 After that the party was Q series of vague impressions, young mer whom she had served with waffles being ostentatiously polite, girls who ignored her, dress too tight shoes too tight, Dick always there From 9.S0 until one Susie danced with Dick, stumbling, losing the step, coming up with e Jolt against his smoothly moving feet.
 At twelve she had said, "Take me home, Dick"
 He looked at his wrist watch Just Q little longer, susie." There was q white line of fatigue around Dicks young mouth. He smiled gallantly. At one they were servee with tiny sandwiches and huge black olives, sherbet and coffee The girls were presented with fa' vors, little silver compacts with thu Delta Phi emblem embossed on on' side. Susie was delighted with thu trinket.
 At two, descending the stairs again enfolded in the spring coat she saw one of tho older boys talk. ing to Dick in . low tone. Distinctl, she heard the words, "kiss her" art Dicks angry exclamation. Bewilder' cd. she saw Dick tear the pledge pir from his vest. The older boy backed away, refusing the pin, laughing saying, "okay--ycu don't need | get sore" None of 1t made sense t' Susie.
 sitting comfortably in the road ster beside c strangely preoccupie, escort, Susie pondeded over tn incident in the hall. Obviously tn upper classmai had not wantet Dick to kiss her. Her blood pounded furiously ct the thought. And Diol had been angry ct the interference Tremblingiy. Susie waited.