The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-07-05
LITA MEETS A RIVAL
CHAPTER V

Eita walked down Fifth avenue Nlaat January morning. It hardly seemed possible that eight weeks could change life so completely, that the apartment in which she and Jerry had lived and had been so hap py could be occupied by someone else. that Jerry could have another dancing partner, that she could have gone to Reno, and was now quite free.
 She walked briskly. A cold wind whipped through her fur .coat though the sky was clear and lthe sun made the morning bright. gThe windows were filled with ad- vance spring clothes and bizarre hats. She looked at her own re- Election in the windows as she lpassed-slim and straight, a jaun- i ty fur hat that matched her coat ht just exactly the right angle.
 As she walked along she thought lpf Jerry, the past; then brought her. Igelf up with start. She mustn't look back. She must look forward.
 Sally Green was going to Farm fington with her and pretend to be her aunt, because Ken had insisted she must have a chap erone. He had come up from Earmington to help select the Furniture for the house Lita was igoing to rent. She was on her way to meet Sally now. They hwere to see about a new dress Nor Lita, then go by Ken's hotel. ken had 8 business engagement which would keep him busy all morning, and in the afternoon Whey would begin shopping for Furniture.
 T thought I'd come to meet Rou."
 "Oh, Sally" Lita caught the hand of the plump, middle-aged woman who came up to her. You Certainly do look the part of my maiden aunt, with gray hair, dig hifled glasses, your motherly way. Nt's a good thing you can play Eharacter parts"
 l~ "Yes, Lita." She could feel Sally'a disapproval. "I'll help you all I can. I guess I'd better begin calling you Ann now, because l might forget.
 "You know I don't approve of hhis wild escapade, of your get- king Q divorce from Jerry, or your kOing down to this crazy little kown end pretending that you are hn entirely different sort of per- kon from what you really are"
 Now, Sally, please! Pleasel Kouve gone over all that a dozen kimes already. I know you don't Mrprove of me, but you love me, ' &d that's enough. Ken has every
 Ing planned perfectly. It can't
 Possibly go wrong. It's a new ad- venture. And you'll adore Ken"
 i've heard that before, toe. taarling. I won't adore Ken. I klon't even like him. He's ladies' Snan with a fiattering line and he falls for every new face. I know his type exactly. They're always Irich, too rich for their own good, land they always paint the right pictures.
 But he's taking another mans lMife. He's a thief. I have no use Ikor him. But I'll put up with nim, because you're in love with him"
 "That,s fine" Lita squeezed her harm. And now back to Jerry. lE1ave you seen him since I've been Igone. Have you talked to him2 &5ow is he doing?"
 Hes getting along" said Sally les they walked along. "He has Ebeen giving Ruth Eustace a ter lFific rush. I wouldn't be surprised kf he married her."
 The words left Lita cold. When Esiae had thouht about Jerry's re- marriage herself, that had been one Ekhing; but for other people to think lnhout it was something else. She gSiidn't like the idea. It couldn't be Ethat she was jealous.
 "Yes. She has everything, beau- lxy, wealth, social position. Any Egnan would be crazy who didn't tRnarry her if he could" continued IHally. And everybody knows she ias crazy about Jerry"
 T guess you're right" Lita felt swaddenly tired. But he can't dc krything for six months, He in-