The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-01-26
BY HELEN WCRDEN

with connicting em0tionS. MrS Donovan would have been proud of Dams acquaintarces. Mir. Donovan would have sputtered because Dan was not downtown at Donovan and Company.
 Look around you," Dan could hear his father say. DO you see real man among these wasters, except perhaps yourself, and only because you're my son"
 Dan glanced in the mirror op- posite his chair and wondered if he looked like a waster. Try as ne would, he could never brush bis red hair so it would stay Hat. For another thing, his face was too freckled. He didn't have the sort of complexion that tanned smooth y. A weekend on his fathers houseboat, of South Carolina, hadn't helped. Besides, there was carelessness in his demeanor, a gaiety about nothing in particular in his green eyes which none of these birds around him had.
 isT self-analysis was interrupted by Mrs. William Martin, Lynda's aunt. 1<l
 Mrs. Martin was woman of authoritative presence. She car ried her weight gallantly and she had nose like parrots beak Whatever her clothes, they always suggested arrnor. Today the re- semblance was more pronounced. Her gray dress and coat had bits of steel trimming.
 She tapped Dan on the arm My dear boy. hear Lynda's bringing you to my little. party Saturday. I'm so happy"
 Her manner was arch. It im- piled more than her words.
 :, Mrs. Donovan, had she been present, would have beamed. Mrs. Martin had a definite place in society. If anything, it had been better before she married James Martins brother, Will. But it might have been worse, her friends said, for will did have money and he never forced himself on anyone.
 "Yes, I'm meeting Lynda here for lunch," answered Dan, 8 bit self consciously.
 Mrs. Martin nodded, pride in her bright black eyes, and moved on at a gesture from the headwaiter.
 "Oh, Dan," Lynda's soft, childish voice sounded in his ear. T am SO sorry. but you know what the telephone is, or don't you. I simply couldn't get away sooner"
 Dan squeezed her arm and guided her into lunch. "Never mind. You're here now"
 At half-past three, Varnet him. self was lowing the pair to the main salon.
 Lynda settled back in her chair and puffed on the cigaret Dan had lighted for her. "Varnet,, I thought MT. Donovan might get kick out of seeing your place. He tells me he's never been here be- fore"
 Dan dropped his coat and hat on nearby settee. I'm not en- tirely without experience" he laughed, glancing toward the models. T have been backstage at couple of plays"
 He drew his chair up beside Lynda. We're ready. Where's the Show?"
 varnet clapped his hands. The customers on the opposite side of the room to whom the models were showing the collection had gone. For the moment, no sales woman was in sight.
 At the sound of Varnet's signal, the enormous white velvet curtain at the far end of the room parted and Marie La Porte stepped slowly forward. She was wearing the gown Lynda had chosen. Her young body moved with passionate grace beneath sleek, shining black folds. .,s
 Lynda gave Dan a bird-hke glance, her face paling. T wanted to try 1t on myself, Varnet," she said sharply. "The girl isn't ex- actly the type"
 Marie paused, Perhaps Miss Martin would like to put on the gown now" she suggested to Varnet Entirely self-possessed, she had not looked at Dan once, except for the first casual glance when she entered the room, and yet she was acutely aware of his eyes. E.r
 Dan leaned forward. Don't change it. I have good idea of the dress"
 That night when Marie left work, Dan was waiting for her.
 (T0 Be Continued)