The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-02-18

DaLLcQ llliilSCll OkA JALC bnCh. At handling women he was wizard, positively a wizard. Parking the car in the company's garage, he ushered Susie through the store to an elevator. A buzz followed them, subdued laughter brought the purplish bush to Susies round face. Once before shed heard a buzz like that, laughter like that. It was in a fraternity house dress ing room.
 After four years the old wound had still not healed. What had she let herself in for? Oh, to be out of tito be back at the waffle irons. She set her teeth and mentally prepared speech of courteous withdrawal for MT. Hark- CT. She'd bet her best hat, thing she did not own, that MT. Harker was one of those wolves they had been talking about, nice like a sheep on the outside, cold and crafty un- derneath.
 At the door of his office, with the switchboard girl staring, round- eyed, after her, Susie almost turned and bolted. She did half turn and Jeff's big arm shot out to stop her, In that split second before she faced voice came to Susie. It was her own voice. "I'd give my hope of heaven, I'd give the rest of my life"
 She dropped her head in shame. It was a humble, disciplined Susie who walked into MT. Harker's office. Rising, he came around the desk, holding out his hand.
 Jeff said, This is Susie Lam bert, MT. Harker." He knew, from the Chiefs controlled expression that he hadn't expected anything quite so bad as Susie. And Susie was at her very worst, brows drawn, eyes defiant, desperately afraid that she was about to meet unkind laughter again.
 MT. Harker shook her hand and led her to a chair Close to his desk. Jeff, his mission accom- plished, went to the outer office and MT. Harker followed him.
 She's pretty bad" he said thoughtfully. Then he brightened. But that's what I wanted"
 Jeff said, Be little cagey with her, Chief. She bolted onre, said she wouldn't be a guinea pig"
 John Harker's eyes lighted with a laugh. That's good - swell. I was afraid she didn't have spirit. Anything else I would know? What did your mother say?"
 Edna likes her, she sees pos abilities. Susie has nice sense of humor, she's repressed and in- hibited - it'll take a lot of doing" Jeff felt very proud to have the Chief ask his advice. But that was like the Chief. The swellest man a guy ever worked for.
 MT. Harker went back to Susie. He met her hurrying toward the door and pretended not to notice the flight.
 "Sit down. Susie" he said. "I'll call you Susie because we're go- ing to see lot of each other in the next several months. Let's talk things over a little."
 She sat down, nervously smooth ing her gloves. TT don't think I can do it Mir. Harker." s he spoke as one who was about to have her tonsils removed.
 "Tell me why" he said gently In truth MT. Harker was of the same opinion at the moment.
 Susie bit her lip to curb the threatening tears. "Be-because I won't be a success, because I'm impossible" she said chokingly. Because you are doing it for publicity and failure would be bad for your business" Saying this Susie raised her eyes and MT. Harker's doubts vanished. Her eyes were misted, they were the most desperately unhappy eyes he had ever seen. He leaned across the desk.
 You want us to try, don't you, Susie?"
 "Oh, yes. It's been so - awful" What had been so awful she left to his imagination and he nodded understandingly.
 Perhaps we can't make a rav- ing beauty of you; to tell the truth, there are very few raving beauties in the world. But you can have charm, Susie, you can attract without startling beauty. we can help you make the most of yourself"
 Can you?" she inquired, lean- ing toward him wistfully.
 "Yes, indeed we can." Harker assured. Then, remembering the guinea pig complex, he added. You'll have to understand that our criticism Is no more personal than your doctors would be if he said you had bad appendix or if your French teacher complained of your accent in trying to help you. See what I mean?"
 T think so." After a hesitation she said, "The picture in the paper, MT. Harker - I don't like 1t. People don't seem to realize that all girls are the same inside they'll laugh at me-"
 SIDE CHANGES