The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-03-26

gone away to I'D himself Of her.
Paul InvolumtArily her hands
went out for the letters
Clara was scrambling through
an untidy dresserd drawer. 7 put
them here somewhere - It's been
so long - where In the dickens -
Oh" Triunlphantly she pro-
duced them.
AIMS eager fingers closed on
the envelopes. They were post
marked. "Molin." One was dated
June 2, tibet other June IS. Almost
four months since Paul had writ
ten them.
Ann was wild to be OF. II must
run along" she said. Tell Roy
that I'm sorry to have missed
him." She kissed Clara warmly.
"Goodby, DEAR" she said.
"Goodby, Ann. Come again
when you get Sunday off,"
The autumn dusk was falling and
Ann drove swiftly home. The let
tiers were like living things beside
her. She turned the car over to the
chauffeur and ran to her room. Her
heart duttered and sang. What had
Paul written so long ago? She sat
down under a lamp, not stopping to
remove her hat and jacket. With
trembling fingers she opened the
first letter.
"Ann darling" it began and she
caught her breath. II thought I
could run away from you but it's
no good. Maybe I'm wrong, but I
got the idea that you cared for me
a little when you kissed me. Or,
Ann, do you know how sweet you
are? Do you know how I take
that kiss out of my heart every
other minute and remember the
ecstacy Of it," Ann closed her
eyes, pressing her cheek to the
page.
Darling" the letter went on,
1--WE had to break. Because Of a
shakeup here and q fine recon-
mendation from my Chicago boss,
I'm in charge Of a number Of de-
partments, do the buying and all.
This means $40 a week, not much,
but perhaps enough. Do you think
1t enough?"
Moline is different. There are
little houses for rent. They have
gardens and little front porches.
Will you take a chance with me,
Ann dearest? Will you? I'll hold
my breath every time the postman
comes. Oh, Ann, love you So"
Ann dropped the letter. II didn't
answer" she moaned. paul, my
dearest-I didn't answer your let
ter" It was a calamity of the
most gigantic magnitude. Paul
had waited for the postman II
waited and hoped Tear ran
down AIMS cheeks. She opened
the second letter.
Dear Ann," Paul had written.
let me apologize for my impul-
stve letter Of three weeks ago. You
were right to ignore it, absolutely
right. 1t was presumptous of me
to write such q letter. You had
always been frank with me and
Ishould have known better. Good
luck, Ann. I hope you find all the
lovely things you want, Paul"
A maid tapped at the door Of
AIMS bedroom. Dinner Is served,
Miss Ann. Mr.. Temple and Miss
Irene are waiting"
Thank you, Lefty - I'll be right
down." Ann spoke automatically
in a strangled voice. She wiped
her eyes and crossed the hall to
the sitting room telephone. Paul'S
letters had been written on Y M.
G. A. stationery. She put in call
for the Moline Y. M. G. A. "Oh,
God," she whispered, holding the
instrument with both hands, "let
me reach him."
Then the clipped voice Of the
operator. "You are connected with
the Y. M G. A. in Moline, Miss
Temple. They are paging Mr..
And, after a heart
breaking wait, "He isn't In, Miss
Temple. I'll keep trying"
Ann stood up, she paced back
and forth. IT can't watt she
nlurmured frantically. 1T may be
hours II can't wait" She ran
down the stairs. Mr.. Temple and
Irene met her In the lower hall.
Irene came to meet her.
els something wrong, darling?"
she asked.
Ann burst into tears and Mr..
Temple put his arm around her.
whats all this?" he asked wor-
riedly.
"It's Paul." Ann sobbed. "He
wrote me four months ago-I just
got the letters to-day" She cried
stormily. HE asked me to marry
him-the sweetest letter - he said
he'd hold his breath till the post
man brought letter and I didn't
answer didn't answer"
Call him - right now" Irene