The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-03-14

Ann, he whirled on the accommO- dating stranger. His arm shot out and, fortunately, missed its aim Instantly there was a rush of stags and Steve was bundled, protest ing loudly from the floor. Ann found herself dancing with her rescuer. He was very young and fair haired.
 My name is Ray-stan Ray"
 How do you do. I'm Ann Brown"
 "Yes. I know. The Evanston Browns?"
 "No." She was ashamed of what had happened. For @ mo- ment it dampened her joy. twill he be back?" she asked.
 "Steve?" No, he's finished for tonight. The Clapbourne butler and the taxi driver will carry him in"
 Isn't 1t a pity?"
 "Yeah - Steve's swell guy" He changed the subject. Look, Miss Brown - are you dated for the week-end2"
 I'm afraid so." Cinderella must not step out of her glass slippers.
 Too bad. A crowd of us are going to my dads fishing lodge on Lake Michigan. Like to have you come along"
 Tt would be lovely. Another time, perhaps"
 "Right. I'll give you a ring"
 Ann thought of the tinkle of the telephone bell in Mrs. Toilets back hall, of Myrtle's scream. Ann - there's man on the phone" She also thought of Stan Rays dismay when he learned that he had invited Mrs. Pringle's assist ami to a house party on Lake Michigan. He did not ask where he should call, obviously certain that little inquiry would locate the attractive Miss Brown in the social register.
 Paul finally freed himself from Irene Temple and cut in. He took Ann to the supper room. She sat down while he filled her plate from the immense buffet table. It was good to sit down, she hadn't realized that the little gold slippers were tired.
 The plate of food was to be one of her memories. Tiny open-faced sandwiches like flowers, 8 fluted cup of chicken salad, huge black olives, a little boxed ice, salted almonds.
 I'm dreaming, Paul." she said. Tn a minute I'll wake up and 1t will be creamed dried beef"
 He laughed. "As a casual friend, I'm going to tell you something, Ann. You're the loveliest girl here"
 Thank you, Paul."
 And Steve Claybourne is a bum. If Miss Temple hadn't oc- cupied me so thoroughly his face would now be jellied."
 Crazy" Persons in the supper room turned at Ann's tinkle of mirth. 'That was part of the fun having a man fight to dance with me-"
 "A drunken bum."
 She put her pretty head on one side, regarding him seriously. T didn't like it, Paul. I hated it."
 well, that's better"
 A waiter took their plates and Paul pulled 8 box from his pocket Its your favor," he said. "They had different things, but I thought you'd like this best"
 She opened the box reverently "A present - oh, love presents"
 Ans favor was a silver link bracelet. It fastened with an in- f1nitesimal paddock. There was @ tiny key. She was quite breath less while Paul put it on her arm.
 "I'll keep the key" he said. "If you ever want to take it of you'll have to send for me-"
 Who's flirting now?" she asked with a side glance.
 He sighed and put the key in the box.
 It was 2:3O when they left the hotel. Ann had never been so tired. nor so completely happy. Many tLAAIlSS 1ldu 1ldppeAlcu, LIllIlSS WHICH she had tucked away in her mem- ory to take out later and savor to the full.
 In the taxi, she said, "Tell him to drive slowly, Paul. I don't want it to be memory quite yet" /"
 "Take your time, fella," he called through the glass. AS they left the quiet city, he said, I'd like to do the craziest thing"
 "What?"
 "I'd like to walk in the park"
 "Let's".
 They left the cab at the corner of Garfield park. The driver stared after them as they went into a shrubbery lined path. He shrugged. It was no concern of his if a couple went completely whacky. He drove away. Ann and Paul found their bench near the lagoon and sat down. The night was warm and hushed. The city slept, even the park seemed to