The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-03-15
HOLMES
\ Kiss Brings New Hope

liIEe a fiery furnace, the hat shop was little better, Ann grew thin, the roses left her cheeks. She and Paul sat on the bench in the park, occasionally they travelled across the city to the lake.
 A birnished, hay fall was ban ished by an early blizzard and winter was upon the city. Acrid smoke hung in the heavy atmos- phere, the gutters were sltmed with dirty slush. Then Christmas lights turned the city into 8 neon fairyland.
 Paul gave Ann silver bangle for her bracelet as Christmas gift. It was a quaint little bell and tinkled when she moved her hand.
 With the coming of the New Year Ann fretted over the static, changeless quality of her life. With he exception of an occa- sional marriage among the girls whom she had come to know, there was not the slightest diff ference in her surroundings. Ned- dy and Teddy still chattered and danced their way through the days and nights. Florabelle ap- peared in stunning new outfits, was forever going on a party" Clara could talk of nothing but a certain congressman who delivered goods to the store.
 A concurrity of incidents kept the third floor laughing, namely, the regular visits of Florabelle's 1 friend, the postman. The hope lessness of his love was amusing, and really not amusing at all. Once each week he climbed the stairs and knocked on Florabelle's door. He had 8 simple, solemn way about him. Why he con- tinued his regular visits, the girls could not imagine. Neddy and Teddy twitted him unmercifully, Clara openly laughed at him. Still he came, now and then encour- aged when Florabelle allowed him to enter her domain.
 Ann's static mode of living might have gone on indefinitely except for two things. In the first place, she realized that an- other change in rooming houses was imminent. Clara's express man friend, Roy Swenson, was practically living in the apart ment which the girls shared. He sprawled in one of the big chairs night after night, paying court to a most willing Clara. Ann knew that 1t was but question of time until he would move in entirely, in which case, she must get out.
 Secondly, spring rolled around again and Paul kissed Ann. That kiss, in the heady sweetness of spring, had 8 most unforeseen aftermath. Not yet had Ann ad- mitted, even to herself, that her love for Paul had become a mon- strous thing, too rnonstrouS for any sort of peace of mi1ad,. She lay her unrest to the utter lack of progress in her ambitions.
 One night she and Paul were sit- ting in the park. It was one of those humid evenings which some times come early in May. They were eating popcorn, each silently intent
 l The bag was finally empty. Paul gave Ann his handkerchief and she wiped her hands.
 Paul." she said, "It's another year. We've been sitting on this bench and in the movies for a year."
 "Yeah = know. Last year I was making SIS. Now I've shot up to $25. Soon I'll be hiring an investment broker to take charge of my surplus" He spoke bit terly.
 At least you've moved up a nttle," she said. I'm just exact- ly where I was a year ago. Oh Paul - thought if 8 girl had ann bition and was willing to work she could find way"
 He sighed. They were both ill low spirits that night. Paul had come to realize that life without Ann would be. as blank as fresh- ly plastered wall. He loved her he wanted her, more than any thing else he wanted to give hel the beauty she craved. And there he was, helpless, shackled to $2s job.
 Of course, there was a future to his job - buyer. department head, managership of store-but when = when? His soul cried out at the waiting. While he waited she would be lost to him.
 "It's rotten shame, Ann," he said. keeping his voice at casua
 level. Have you tried to get 6 better job?"
 "Oh, yes," But her tone be. trayed her Encouragement. 'T'vt 1, tried everywhere. Fifteen weel z is the best I can do. Fifteen z :, week, she cried furiouslyl. y hate the sound of 1t. A living wage, barely enough to keep sou and body together, no hope, noth'
 ing ahead" Her voice brokt and she stopped. Let me hay, }, your handkerchief again, Paul.