The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1939-09-15

touched the release button. Open.
ing the door, she smiled. Queer,
she had the sensation Of spread
ing the smile across her face
It did not seem to come from In
side. Carma appeared at the top
Of the stairs,
Marian's first impression was one
of shock at Carma's supremely
glossy hardness. She was o golden
apparitlon. Marian thought: She
looks as II she'd been dressed In
the mint. Once her hair had been
soft brown, now 1t glittered like
raw gold. Her gown was black.
shot with gold elaborate gold
bracelets jingled at her wrists, a
great topaz hung around her neck
on q gold chain. Over her dress
she wore short jacket OF red
fox. She sparkled, but there was
no warmth In the sparkle.
Hello, Carma. Am In Chicago
or Gay Pareep You look like"
That's right Carma laughed
too gaily. "Name It and you can
have It," Her smile had been
painted on like Marian's own.
Marian called, Dolly - Dan -
Carma Is here. Come Nsee her,
She's simply too divine"
They trooped in from the kitch-
en-. Dan shook Carmas hand,
Dolly kissed her, her admiration
genuine,
Turn around, she begged. II
never saw anything so - so beau
tiful In my life" And, wrinkling
her cute little nose, And I never
smelled anything like that per-
fume."
Dan said, laughing, Smells are
odors In polite society, Dolly"
I don't get around much" she
returned apologetically.
Marian took Carma to the bed
room, brave with taffeta and bou-
doir pillows. Carma turned of the
smile.
II saw them today - Pete and
his wife" Her lips were scornf,il,
did you, Carma? Wherc?"
IN Huylers I dropped in for
cup Of tea and there they were
sitting at our old table, She
turned furious, glittering eyes on
Marian. ."She's common, just q
common little tramp. Cheap clothes,
hair curling down on her shoulders,
rotten paint Job on her face
did Pete see your"
I don't think so. He didn't look
in my direction After a moment,
when naked pain gave expression
to her face, she said, I'm going
to take him away from her, I
won't be kicked around like this
I cant stand it,
Marian put an arm around her,
Lets forget Pete for tonight, shall
we? Let's have good time. You
know the old bromide about just
as good fish being left In the sen
Dan and l asked Randy Means
especially for YOU"
He won't like me--no one likes
me- II was plain to see that
Carma's confidence IN herself had
departed with the loss Of Pete,
Like Dan, he had been O refuge
and q shelter. Carma was buffet
Ing the waves Of loneliness and
regret on an uncharted sea. She'c
find herself, but II would take
time, Marian gave her little
affectionate hug and, for q mo-
ment, Carma leaned against her.
Hang on to Dan" she whis-
pered huskily you've got some-
thing there She Strengthened and
the painted smile flashed back.
Marian said, Eyes, I've got
something there Dan would
never set the world on FIRE, he
would never be able to set o FIRE
by which they could warm their
hands, but he was her man. A
woman needed q man. The people
OF this earth were meant to 80
In pairs. A lone mountaineering
at Carma, Marian's eyes darkened
with pity,
Amy Ellen and Bill Sands ar
rived and the apartment echoed
with gay greetings. Amy Ellen was
small and not too stylish, her hat
was oil wrong and her shoes q bit
on the sensible side. But her face -
Marian could not take her eyes
from Amy Ellen's face. There was
q serenity about II, q young happy
serenity, love shone In her eyes
when she looked at Bill, He wore
an air OF success and prosperity. He
was noisy and genial and sure OF
himself.
Marian remembered the last
time she had seen these two. What