The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-07-02
KEN MAKES PLANS
CHAPTER III

think about him, but she couldn't
 do anything else. For the first time in her life she was ashamed, hiding from Jerry that secret closest to her heart. She had to find an answer before she said anything to him, and as she sat in the lobby of the hotel, waiting for Ken, she tried to think of 8 way of telling Jerry, without hurting him.
 The reflection in the mirror op- poSite the divan on which she sat was perfect. A bit of dark green hat was perched over one eye, her golden hair shone beneath 1t. Her eyes were bright, her lips vivid. The new fall suit was just the color of her hat, and the mink collar was hattering.
 She had dressed with unusual care because she wanted to look her best for Ken. For days he had been calling, begging to see her. Each night he was at the PariSian and at last she had agreed to lunch with him. Outside the October sunshine swept down clear and bright. The air was brisk. She felt exhilarated and eager with a sense of forbidden anticipation.
 Here you are, darling" Ken Richards came swinging up beside her. catching both hands in his, looking down into her face. His glance made her heart race, T couldn't really believe it when you promised to meet me today"
 Inside the dining room at a table for two, over by the window where they could watch the crowd that hurried by, he smiled at her. He gave the order, but she scarcely heard. She only knew that his gray eyes had looked into hers and the world had turned upside down.
 Now what, why all the eager ness to see me?" she asked abruptly, laughing little breath fessly.
 "IVe the plans all made" He leaned little nearer as he spoke. She hardly knew what to say, and his assurance startled her.
 You are very sure, aren't you?"
 Yes, because know what you want. Now let me tell you about Warrington"
 The town where you lve?"
 Yes. It's. small, one of those slow little southern towns that you read about, one good hotel, main street, country club and golf course, white house back in the trees, lots of colored people and . society like you read about. My mother is one of the old timers. Nothing counts with her unless it's old and has a history"
 You mean she doesn't like swing, music, or modern dancing, or, or :" she couldn't find the right words "or people without background. Is that what you're trying to tell me?"
 "Yes, but have it all fixed"
 T don't suppose she would care for a divorce either" Lita inter rupted
 "No, but she won't know, Honey. It's like this. You get a divorce from Jerry. Then you come to Pennington and bring someone with you. Surely you have good friend who could be companion. You rent house for month or so and live there.
 'I'l begin to rush you and everybody will take you up be- cause I'm from one of the old families. beau-about-town and all that. My mother will invite you to tea; you will meet the people you should meet in the proper way, with a house filled with an- tiques as background You can get some and have them shipped down, and you are enough of an actress to put it over"
 She searched vainly for an ans wer. These plans of Kens were so startling that she couldn't quite get them sorted out in her mind.
 "But I'd still be Lita Damson, the dancer" she said at last. "I'd still be Jerry's divorced wife. Where would you put that in the p1cture?"
 Darling, you'll leave that all behind. No one must ever know that you danced. Mother would die if she knew her son was think ing of marrying a dancer. She doesn't approve of people like that. And she doesn't approve of divorce, either. but she doesn't need to know about it.
 You'll use your own name What is it? You aren't really Lita Damson. That's a stage name, isn't tt?"
 s'Yes." She hesitated. My mother left a note beside me at the door of the orphanage saying her name was Jean Ann Marshall and I was to he called that. T.