Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1941-01-24

handiwork. "YouIl do. If I can
have enough time with you, I can
make you beautiful. Now, don't be
self-conscious. Just be yourself. Then
everything will come out all right.
With that Julia left her alone. The
maids advice was excellent, but Son.
ny was totally unable to take it. She
was in complete funk. She teeter-
ed around the room on the unstable
heels of the too-large slippers and
decided she could not go down to
dinner. The frock, which was too
large, kept slipping off her shout
ders. Her hair was uncomfortable
and she was self-conscious about her
rough hands and broken nails. If
Tom only would come back but he did
not. ~ don't belong here!" she said,
forcing back the tears.
Then some chimes sounded and
Julia put her head in the door to an
nounce: THAT'S for dinner. Go down
the main staircase
Slowly and painfully Sonny began
descent of the long, winding stair
case, terrified lest she lose one or
both of her shoes. She negotiated
it, however, and found everybody
waiting for her on the terrace.
When she appeared in the door
way, Tom calculated: "Well, aren't
you dressed up! What on earth is
Julia trying to do?"
Sonny's face and throat flushed
scarlet. Kirk came to the rescue
Leave her alone, Tom. She looks
finew
The dinner was q nightmare. Mrs
HOLSTER, trying to be kind, had kept
it as simple as possible, but the ar
ray of silver, the faultless service
the parade of dishes all confused Son.
ny. She found it almost impossible
to eat. Kirk tried to help and kept
an eye on her, but even he could not
understand what an ordeal it was fol
the girl from the little roadside res.
taurant.
Sonny did look pretty, thought
Mrs. HOLSTER, as she watched hel
covertly. But the older woman was
appalled, and heartsick for the flu.
ture. Tom would get tired of hel
by the end of summer. The dowagel
was kindly and understanding per.
son. She knew that this elopement
would not hurt Tom much. But with
the girl, it was different.
Holilster oblivious to the undertones
thought Leslie was nice child. Shed
learn, the banker decided, and she'd
learn quickly.
Tom seemed oblivious to all such
serious consideration. It was anus
ing to be home, the center of excite
ment and attention. He'd got off
easy. Like his father, he felt Sonny
would be all right within a week.
Tom was quite content.
Sonny could feel the buffers opaq-
ue eyes avoiding her nervous hands
as she tried to serve herself from
the dishes he offered.
During dinner there was a tele-
phone call for Tom. When he came
back, he was beaming. "The gangs
over at Ralph's. Wen go over for
few minutes after dinner. They're
crazy to see Leslie"
His mother, seeing Sonny's dis
traught face, protested: "Not tonight
Tom. Leslie's tired"
"All right" he said promptly, "she
doesn't have to go. I'll be back in
an hour. You don't mind, Sonny, do
your"
The girls lips were stiff. "No Il
don't mind"
1t ended by Mrs. Hollister and her
younger son having a heated argu-
ment. Toms father listened with a
heavy heart.
Finally Mrs. Hollister rose from
the table. The rest of them started
to follow-all except Sonny. atom
I've lost my slipper" Her face was
crimson as the butler got down on
his hands and knees to retrieve the
lost shoe. Everybody laughed.
We'll have properly fitted shoes
tomorrow, Leslie" Mrs. HOLSTER said
kindly and escorted Sonny to the
terrace where coffee was waiting.
Even before they'd finished their
coffee, Tom was off. When he had
gone, the four sat in painful silence.
Finally Kirk suggested that he and
Sonny go for walk. They started
down a tagged pathway toward the
Sound. A new moon was rising. It