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

ing his brain for O way--any way.
II happened simply.
One Of the group Of girls stand
ing near the stranger called out,
Hello, Martin hello, Fred. Don't
try to high-hat me-"
Marian and Fred, her escorts
name had been Fred Fred
Thompson, stopped dancing and
went over to the rope. They stood
talking, Marian keenly aware Of
the redheaded young man who
moved nearer.
She said, Dance with Margie,
Fred - I'm tired" At which she
dropped to a bench directly In
front Of the young man. When
Fred and Margie had danced
away, he leaned down.
Fun, isn't itp" nodding at the
crowded pavement.
Eyes, but hard going - not like
q polished floor"
II suppose not and hot old
Lake Michigan Is having trouble
with Its cooling system"
They saw Fred and Margie
making the turn at the far end.
Margie was q poor dancer - they
might not 60 around again. No
time for gradual build-up. The
young man leaned closer, he spoke
hurriedly.
MY name Is Dan Hardness, I'm
white, single, and respectable-I'm
salesman 70 the Downing Elec-
trical Equiment Company
don't make q practice Of this sort
Of thing. Please where do you
walk, where do you lunch - what
corner do you pass at what timer"
Fred and Margie had come To
stop, a reluctant stop on the part
of Margie. They were approach
ing slowly.
Without looking at Dan Hark-
ness, Marian said quickly, II lunch
every noon at the Toddle Shop -
LaSalle street--at 1915"
The remainder Of the evening had
been blurred like the faces. Marian's
emotions had been q tumble OF
shamed CONSERVATION at her own
behavior and a bewildering, heart
quickening elation. She had known
that Dan Hardness would be wait
ing at the Toddle Shop the mex,
noon, and he was there, hat In hand
smiling, diffident, and boyish. He
had reserved one Of the leather
covered booths.
Marian could remember what
they had ordered, chicken sand.
wiches, tall glasses Of iced coffee
walnut fudge ice cream, although
at the time she had scarcely no
ticed her food.
They had talked. Dan had
seemed determined to establish his
background and identity. His
family lived In Iowa, he'd had two
years at tn State University
working his way. He'd been In
Chicago six months. He'd Just
happened to 60 out to the pave
ment dance -- just happened. They
gazed into each others eyes, be-
unused by the wonder Of It.
EAuA euAt AiaA bkOuBktb WIG CIkIUIl~
icle Of her life UP TO date. Her
family was a grandmother In In
diana. She shared an apartment
with two other girls. She was q
stenographer In the Grant Fellows
Brokerage. She liked her Job
she'd had two raises In the past
year. She was going 10 be o pri-
vate secretary one OF these days
Dan had asked, Twill you lei
me see you sometimes?"
And she had answered simply
Eyes, Dan"
Within two weeks they were en-
gagged to be married, blissful two
weeks In which Marian forgot her
ambitions In the Grant Fellows
ONCE, when q great new gladness
wiped out the lesser Joys. Dan
was making $35 O week, they'd
start on q small scale and spread
out gradually. It sounded delight
full. Nothing was so important as
making a home for Dan. The loca-
ton or desirability Of he home
did not matter. II she and Dan
were together
ITO BE Continued