The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-14
CHAPTER V


 were other ways of being drafted besides for the army. You could be drafted for peace work, for service - why even for love. Drafted for love! April said the words aloud and couldn't help laughing at how they sounded.
 Her laugh echoed in the ramb- ling house to arouse Nip, the wire hailed, who poked his head from the hallway door, gave a small yip and promptly retreated. Oc- tavia, dozing until the young mis- tress arrived, was almost as brief.
 Going upstairs to her room, April Burnett made another im- pulsive decision. Ann was away. Kent was home on leave, eyes blinded, life at standStill until his sight returned. Why shouldn't she be drafted for love for one day?
 In the dark, middle-night hours, it seemed very simple and smooth When she finally slept, her con- science slept with her. The next morning, she fairly flew to answer the telephone, reaching it just before Octavia came numbering i through the kitchen door. Hello" she said.
 "Oh. Ann, you're all right?" Rents words were eager. happy. Fine, she said, and then in whisper, "everybody's asleep, eX- cept me. I'll meet you in about half an hour in front of your house."
 Hardly waiting to hear his ans wer, she hung up. Nip, aroused by the jangle of the telephone bell, pranced at her heels. Seizing Octavia in the kitchen, April demanded, What can you root out of the ice box? I'm go- ing on a camp fire jaunt today" Octavia, sad-eyed, reproachful because thered been no free bar becue last night, pondered this. Camp fire? Why, Miss April, you hasn't been on no outdoor cooking trip since you was in your lolly- pop days. How come you larking out today?"
 Well, it's a swell day, isn't it, and why should I sit in Stuffy house when all outdoors is call ing?"
 Tt done never call you before" Octavia brooded. "Now, you take that dear sister of yours, my own little lamb, Miss Ann. Many a time she's gone out on a day like this for one of them steak fries" Exactly! Steak fry. That's what it's going to be. Fill the thermos bottle, pack the steaks, toss in the salt and plenty of whatever else we need. Octavia .blinked, then cast a sus- picious look at April. Who else is goin' on this here outing?" "The whole town, the whole world, maybe" AS April started for the staris she heard Octavia grumbling something aloud how lucky she was that she had a prime roast on hand from which a few choice slabs could be cut for steaks.
 !, Nip, torn between a raid on the ice box and tagging April, chose the latter.
 l One thought intruded as April dressed. She would give Ann plenty of time to arrive home if she had taken the midnight train from New York.
 i Now for her outfit. She felt a catch in her throat as she remem- bered Kent Carter wouldn't see it. Just the same, she chose her 1 newest sweater combination, wool in luscious ice cream color, worn over flame red slacks with a matchind hood. She'd top it of with Ann's coat, the same one she had worn last night. { In the distance, she heard the whistle of the New York train. It would take only a few minutes on Sunday morning for the town taxi to reach the Burnett house. 1 Fifteen minutes went by, 20, a half ! hour. No Ann.
 1 Resolutely, April ran down. { stairs to the garage. When she had the car out, she made a quick dive into the Kitchen for the kit Octavia had packed, and fled without word or backward look.
 No time to think now. She was ill this and had to see it through.
 It would only be for one day. Ann would surely be here tomor- row.
 
 Kent was waiting at the gate of the Carter house. As April slowed the car, she had a chance to look at him. He was out of uniform and had worn slacks, too, and a heavy sweater. His head was lifted, the glasses making dark shadows on his face.
 "Ann!"
 Good morning, Kent"
 Good morning, glory"
 He was stepping toward the car