The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-03-16
A Color Scheme
BY NORA LYBEcK SPENCER
@ Mcclure Newspaper Syncicata.
WNU Service.

couldn't just live in this, she
thought, as she surveyed her trim
figure in it's black bathing suit.
She showed her mousy hair I'M
der blue-green cap, and breath
less Transformation took place. She
did look nice. She wished she could
get John to come with her to the
baths, just once. He would see
that she was woman and not Just
"such restful company"
She came in from the water, blue
eyes sparkling. She looked, thought
the handsome young man who lay
half concealed under a huge UNI
brella, about twenty-five, and inter
esting.
"Ouch!" Mary's foot hit a sharp
stone and she went into the soft
sand, sending the umbrella spin
ming.
The young man grinned and rolled
over beside her, meeting her eyes
with daring friendliness. "Tm so
glad you dropped in" he said.
Mary sat up quickly. Heavens,
a young creature like this trying
to make up to an old maidl "I'm
sorry" she managed to say, ''hope
l didn't break your umbrella" She
started to rise, but he put out a
restraining hand. please stay"
he begged.
Might be fun to stay awhile, for
| get she was thirty-three and had
waited six years for dawdling John
Drake to pop the question. John,
who came to see her, to get rest
ed in her cozy little home after
hard days work, who even had
his favorite chair in the living-room.
"There," said the young man,
surveying her, that will keep you
from getting burned. A fair skin
like yours should be protected"
my skin doesn't TAM" said Mary,
thrilling to his praise.
'It's lovely. Who are your" he
asked. "No, don't tell me. You're
mysterious adventures. Your
sweetheart has just run away with
another girl, and you came out
alone to forget" He smiled. "Am
I right?"
Mary laughed. Perhaps. Go on,
tell me more about myself"
"You can't understand why he
prefers the other girl. She's Just
an ordinary creature-doesn't even
dress we'll" Mary drew in a quick
breath. He went on, not noticing,
while you are dazzling in blacks
and" he paused.
GO on. What other colors do
wear?
What's the color of your hair?"
He reached up to remove her cap,
but Mary quickly clapped her hands
over it. "No, that isn't fair. This
is make-believe," she reminded
him.
Gan right. It has a tinge of
red in it. That's why you wear
that blue-green cap and black suit.
I'd like to see you in an evening
gown of either shade"
Mary rose, said quickly, 81 must
be going"
Mary stood before the mirror in
Madame Sonia's exclusive dress
| shop. isn't it bit young?" she
asked, as she breathlessly surveyed
the blue-green gown molding itself
to her slim figure.
Madame needs bit of eyebrow
pencil, a lipstick, no rouge, but
yes-a light henna for the hair"
eff only dared!" breathed Mary.
The young man had said, "a CLINT
of red in your hair"
But that evening Mary wondered
how blue-green gown, a light hen
ma pack, lipstick and an eyebrow
pencil could perform such a miracle.
Tonight when John came, she
thought recklessly, she wouldn't be
"restful company" There came
another daring thought. If John
didn't come to life, there were other
, men.
Her heart skipped beat when
she heard Johns CHEEKY Hello An
ME-" as the maid let him in. She
heard the squeak of his favorite
| chair as it received his bulk.
!
Mary tiptoed in, the palms of her
hands wet with nervousness. Johns
chair faced the window. His head
was tilted back on the cushions, his
eyes closed. He seemed perfectly
content. Mary passed a hand over
his eyelids. He captured it, blinked,
stifed yawn and got to his feet.
Hello, Mary" he said. "I was
almost asleep" He was looking
straight at her, apparently seeing
I nothing unusual.
GIVE been wondering about things
lot lately" he was actually stam-
mering. He mopped his forehead
with big handkerchief. I'm not
good at this business" he blurted
out
"What are you trying to tell me,
John?" asked Mary.
"You know, you must know, I've
been wanting to marry you. Would
you, dear?"
"Why John, hadn't thought about
it," lied Mary, "but after all, why
not? I'm terribly fond of you"
He kissed her a bit awkwardly.