The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-02-13

knew it Dotty said, "she could certainly use Q little beauty"
 "Just trty 1t and see how quick your head comes off," her friend returned. Taking Q compact from her purse she daintily touched her llps with crimson. "Wouldnt it be terrible to be homelyS" she asked, looking complacently Into the mirror.
 "rerriblc," Dottie agreed, with. out the slightest conception of how terrible 1t could be. They wan- dered out of the shop, leaving the paper behind them.
 Straightening the counter Susie picked up the paper, About to toss 1t aside, she hesitated. There 1t was again, the fates at her elbow. 1ndiherently she scanned the DO. per. Several times her eyes passed over the Harker page, always com- ing back. Gradually the import made q dent in her consciousness and she read the notice through.
 'Harkers wants to prove that any woman can be beautiful, alluring, desirable. If you doubt us please write 0 letter telling us why, Tell us what 1t has meant to you to be unattractive, Without obligation or expense the writer of the best letter will be beautified by Harker's."
 Reading the advertisement, Susie's breathing quickened. Silly, of course. No one could make her beautiful, not even Harkers to prove their point. She guessed shed write and tell them so. They didn't want a homely girl, they simply wanted to make Q pretty girl prettier,
 In spite of the argument Susie was little excited. At last some one had noticed the unattractlvc girl. Beauty contests were old, this was, well, this was exciting, All afternoon letter to Harker's ran through her mind, the idea of winning the contest did not oc- cur to her, The letter was to be flat denial of Harker's claims from one who knew,
 Again and again she read the advertisement. The model, they called the girl Q model just as in the beauty contests, was to be given advice and treatment by Harker's experienced cosmeticlans, the gymnasium ana c physical di- rector would be at her disposal, When the miracle was wrought she would be gowned by Harker, hated and booted by Harker. The letters were to be written to John Harker.
 By 10 o'clock, when Susie went home, she had not only mentally written her letter, she mad made up her mind that she must Do the girl,
 No other girl needs 1t like l do," she thought desperately. No other girl has suffered so from be- ing homely"
 She wrote her letter six times before being satisfied, Among other things, she wrote, You have c comforting theory, but it can't be done. If you could but see me you would know. am one of those unfortunate individuals who was born m ugly duekling and must remain so," Then she added the line which was to touch John Harker's heart, T once said that would give my hope of heaven and oil the rest of my life to be beautiful for one year. l meant 1t then and I mean 1t now"
 Susie dispatched her letter. She had wild thoughts of going to Chi. cago, of seeing John Harker per- sonally, begging him to try. One moment she was hopeful, tho next mirthlessly amused at her own i'm. pertinance. She would have worried less had she known that the fates had gone to considerable trouble to bring about this exact state Of af. fairs and that her number was up even before she wrote the letter.
 While Susie waited, thrilled in spite of herself, the letters rolled Into John Harker's office, hundreds of them, thousands Of them. Tho job of sorting and reading was turned over to Jeff Bowman and ten helpers, The letters were readily weeded out, the big majority palp. ably being from young women who saw c chance to secure c free makes up and an outfit of clothes,
 After c strenuous week 100 lets Aa.s ...a.a .aia aaA ,.r yahsa VEa uiK auis