Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1939-01-06
CHAPTER IS

~O~~~~S -
refinement that was Ann. For her
loyalty to her job, for the capacity
she had of never tattling, of soft
pedaling or overlooking the defects Of
her fellow-workers, even when they
were catty to her, and sought to harm
her, through jealousy. She was a
bove UGH pettiness. From his own
observation he had seen it, and
Though he did not tell her), he'd had
a long talk with Renita Parrish, who
had corroborated it, and Renita had
assured him that it was Ann who had
weaned her away from drinking.
For her dignity too, he loved her.
For her sweetness of nature that had
been severely tested. For the sheer
femininity of the young girl that was
Ann.
"Brains and beauty are a wonder
full combination" he had told her in
the taxi, "but there are still better
things, and you have got them, dear"
Would he ask her to marry hin?
OF course, if he really loved her, he
would!
"Are you happy, ANN"
There was strain of the old-fash-
toned in Paul Bradley, Ann had seen
it. He would want to meet her par
ents, visit her home, do things conven-
tionally. He was no Freddie Brandon
nor Captain de Freyn.
He would want to claim her proud
", before everybody. 1t would all be
above-board, and clear sailing. She
trusted him.
But they could not ride forever in
Central Park. Dawn started to streak
the sky over towards the East River.
On the doorsteps of the brownstone
house which was her home, he gave
her a a quick handclasp. The taxi
waited.
you've been. so sweet to me to-
night, my dear. shall never forget
it."
Somehow the words had struck her
with a faint, foreboding chill.
"You don't know how I've apprec-
lated everything. 1t has been a happy
evening 2" he asked her.
Happy?
What an inadequate word to de-
scribe an EMOTION whole gamut OF
emotions were like sunlit waves
of the ocean, waiting her to the Isles
of the Blest!
Why, she had never lived until this
glorious evening! She'd been like
Door little chrysalis imprisoned-not
realizing the wonder and the glory
waiting for herewith Paul Bradley.
"And one of these evenings, we'll
have to do it again."
1t confused her, dashed her. She
longed to hear him say: Tomorrow
I'll telephone you. Maybe we could
go to church together?"- -"May-
be we could take long walk in the
Park?" The almond-blossoms were
just breaking into bloom up by the
bridle-path where Ann had used to
ride on horseback, Sunday mornings.
Would it be unconsciously bold to ask
him? Dare she?
But she was sensitive.
well have to do it again one
evening"" he repeated, and looked up
at the windows of the house as though
to remind her of the lateness of their
return.
She was ashamed of the longing
that caught her to be in his arms, just
for for a farewell moment, feel his
warm kiss on her mouth, hear him
ask her for a definite appointment.
None of these things happened.
With second handclasp-quick, con-
ventional- babe her goodnight,
walked down the steps to the waiting
taxicab.
Ann was the first of her staff to
arrive in her department on We'd
nesday morning. She was to have a
window display.
That meant Rameses, the clever
dresser, putting his best foot fore
most, and Ann wanted to be in on it,
seeing that everything was perfect,
before the great shade on the window
was rolled up.
She revelled in the Lingerie depart
ment with it's garments like exotic
flowers.
But tiny frown puckered her brow
as her gaze lit on the consignment
of underwear chat was. not selling.
Would it have to be marked down?
Like housewife, she had her buy
ing allowance from the merchandise
manager, Paul Bradley. If she could
not dispose of the goods, it would be