The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-02-25


 asked. The heads Of departments crowded around, buzzing, compli- menting, exclaiming.
 Fascinated, Susie stared into the mirror. shining hair, pale brown with golden high lights, framed an oval face. Dizzily bright eyes spark led between curling lashes. Slim, straight brows gave e slightly orien- tai touch to the provocative eyes, faint, blue green shadows added un- believable depth and allure. Susie saw a pert little nose, cunningly applied lip gloss made her mouth a delicious temptation. Natural color came and went in her cheeks. Tears filled 5usie's eyes.
 Look --. out" Emily exclaimed, rushing forward with a soft tissue.
 Look out" Pierre repeated. Dry those tears, girl, or you will spoil everything"
 Susie laughed shakily and the tears were gone. The clock said $50 and she was to be presented to Mir. Harker at 4. The linen apron disap- peared, hat was deftly fitted to her head. And such @ hat. It shaped tightly to one side, coming down ale most to an eyebrow, smuggling into the curls. A fragile veil came just over Susie's nose, making dusky cloud around the little hat.
 "Ah-," sighed the milliner, T knew 1t -- perfection" She was crowded aside by young woman with knee length coat that matched Susies dress. The soft elegance of imported wool, Q fiar- ing collar of exquisite fur, huge fur sleeves. The coat fastened at the neck with c dull gold clasp, 1t fell gracefully over the short narrow skirt. The head of suits and coats smoothed Susie's shoul- ders and stood back in rapt Satis- faction.
 Gloves, finest suede, hand stitch- cd, were slipped on 5usie's hands, softly crushed at the wrists. some- one handed her e purse, suede again, like the shoes and gloves, with . huge, fanciful "s' in furnished gold, The clock said 3;45.
 With every passing second Susie's nerves grew tenser. It was becoming difficult to swallow. her eyes felt stiff, too wide open. The girl in the mirror was a stranger, she had lost herself, her spirit foundered fog- gily in e daZe.
 Someone said, "Mr. Kane Is waiting" Someone opened the door Then Susie, the prima donna, the debutante. Harker's sensation turn. cd on c temperamental fit, Susie had never indulged in temperament, but she was feminine, she knew how. Her behavior was the outgrowth Of terror and rising hysteria.
 T want to sec Jeff Bowman" she said,
 "Piease, Miss Suzanne" said the head Of the glove department. "fts almost l. MT, Kane is waiting to take you to Mir, Harker."
 But remonstrance only added to susie's nervous tension. MT. Harker, too. was c stranger. She hadn't seen him for six weeks, she didn't want to see him. And why should Cliff ford Kane be the one to escort her to his ofiice7
 Firmly she said again; T want to see Jeff Bowman" Tn truth she had to sec Jeff Bowman. Her feet wouldn't walk, her knees would only shake, she had c crazy i'm. pulse to throw her purse at the head of the glove department, She couldn't and wouldn't, go on without Jeff,
 Clifford Kane called from be. yond the door. "What's the matter in there7 We're due at the Chiefs office in three minutes"
 Hands patted Susie, they pushed and prodded. She stamped her sim, arched foot. "Find jeff Bowman or-or I'll throw things" sine threatened. frantically.
 Someone located Jeff He was lettering near the desk in the beauty salon. He'd said he would De hanging around. He came With q rush when pefemptorily called, The heads Of departments, the fit- ters with pineushions fastened to their bosoms, faded relieyedly through tho door. clifford Kane fumed, watch in hand. jeff walked close to Susie. sensing her hys. teria, understanding her terrible need Of him
 I'm frightened, Jeff,' she quay. cred. "ft isn't mo -f can't find mo. I want them to stop looking at mo, My knees are going to
 Jefi did not laugh. He took Susie carefully in his arms. She elung to the amazing comfort Of him. Putting 6 finger under her chin he raised her distraught face and smiled confidently Into her eyes.
 You're swell, Susie," he said, ft was the best possible line. sym- pathy would have reduced her to tears, bullying would have an. tagonised her. jeff's remark made her laugh.
 "Weli, that's something" she managed Co say.
 Boy how you've turned the