The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-03-12
Steve Gets a Surprise

filled with packages, came hurrying from the elevator. She was going straight to the Center. An evening gown was under construction and her excitement knew no bounds. She would have passed Steve with out seeing him had he not hailed her.
 Speak to me-" he commanded. Must hang around this musty place for an hour and then be snubbed?"
 She laughed. I'm sorry, Steve. My mind was ten miles west"
 Bring it back and put 1t firmly on me-"
 She described an arc with her hand. Here 1t comes. Look out"
 Had dinner?" he asked.
 Not yet"
 Come with me"
 I'm in a dreadful rush, Steve" Cant you spare an hour for an Old friend?"
 Not an hour" She thought moment. "Tell you what I'll do I'll eat a sandwich with you in the candy kitchen here"
 He grimaced. He argued. They ended up in booth in the candy kitchen. He ordered chicken sand wiches and coffee and French pas- try.
 What's the rush2" he inquired.
 "I'm making 8 dress"
 Making Q dress" he repeated in as astounded tone. T thought they grew in windows"
 Mine don't"
 Speaking of dresses" he went on, that was a stunning model you wore the other night. I saw Irene Temple in one exactly like 1t and-this is meant to be tlattery she didn't carry it of like you did"
 i T made mine," she teld him. T brazenly copied 1t from a news paper picture of Irene Temple. Mine cost something under $4."
 "Well, I'll be-" he calculated. You're kidding"
 She thrust pink finger across the table. See? Needle bricks"
 He pinched the finger. You're the cutest kid I ever met" He stared at her, frowning. By the way--you look like Irene Temple. Did anyone ever tell you SOP"
 "Well--yeS--"
 "1rene is dark, but enough like you to be your sister"
 Ann shrugged. "Just one of natures tricks. She runs out of ideas now and then"
 The sandwiches were slapped down in front of them. Ann's coffee sloshed over in her saucer and Steve sent 1t back. He was quite lordly with the waiter and got exactly nowhere with his tactics.
 "Some dive" he rnuttered.
 "Nice food" Ann returned.
 T had 0 reason for seeing you tonight" he said. 'The Athens Club is pulling party next Wednesday night. I'm taking you. Thought you might be interested"
 Steve had been much amused by his decision to take the little working girl to the Athens Club dance. It was his idea of lafk to appear with a nobody and put the nobody over. The Athens parties were attended by a mixed crowd, ex-football stars, lawyers, filling station service men, busi- ness executives and their clerks. When Steve received the an- nouncement of the ball, it had CO., cured to him that Ann would be much impressed, that she would | think he was really taking her | somewhere, that she was meeting | society.
 I'm sorry" she said: i've al- | ready accepted an invitation to the Athens Club party"
 Steve suffered a severe shock. Look" he said. you don't have to lie to me. If you haven't got the clothes to wear I'll see that you get them.'
 Thank you I buy my own clothes"
 Say - this on the level - are you going to the hop?"
 "Yes. Will you call the waiter and ask for an other saucer of cof- fee?"
 Steve insisted on driving her to the Center. He promised to keep well within the law. He offered to return for her at any stated hour. She declined. explaining that creative zeal might keep her there indefinitely, that the dawn might find her still bent over the sewing machine.
 She went to the sewing room and instantly forgot Steve. Making an evening gown, an evening gown that would pass muster at the { Athens Club party, one that would make Paul proud, was an absorbing task. Ann unfolded the material breathlessly. It was white, a Shim- mering gold thread woven in and
 SIDE CHANGES