The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-12
SERIAL STORY i&s DRAFTED FOR LOVE TRIBUTARIES
I I I I

ter join the jamboree, Octavia. There won't be hambone left in another hour"
 Sure 'nuf?" Octavia's eyes rolled and her voice rolled, too, until she remembered that she had to be on duty while her folks" were of camping. She said as much to Miss April.
 "JuSt as long as you're home in time for breakfast" April said, you can go your merry way with my blessing"
 When the house was quiet at last, all the flippancy vanished from April. It was o'clock. Within the next half hour the three handsome swains who were taking her to Casa Blanca would be ringing the bell. She must hurry to reach Ann by long distance, to make the home coming arrangements, and then to figure some way out of tonight'S date with Kent Carter to which she had committed herself.
 In the dimly lighted hall where the telephone table stood, April looked up at the small oil portrait of Ann. An artist who had owed Dad money for settling damage suit had painted it when the sister was 16. But Ann hadn't changed. There were her eyes, brown, Wist- full and appealing; there was the mole-brown hair and the quiet brow. "She doesn't need to be beautiful,' April said half aloud. "She can sing - and how she can singW
 Here goes" April thought, and whirled the dial for long distance. T want to place a call to New York"
 Then almost before she could take breath, someone was answer ing at the other end.
 Hello" April said to the un- familiar voice, T would like to speak to Miss Ann Burnett"
 Ann Burnett? I'm sorry, but I think she's just gone out"
 "Oh, no," and April, who had forgotten about placing the call in person to Ann, fairly walled. Please, I've got to get her at once."
 Wait a minute. Maybe l can catch her." The strange voice drifted off and even 500 miles away, April could catch the sounds of hurrying steps and a door open ing.
 And then, unbelievable but true, a voice came through the wire the voice that might have been her own, so identical was it. "Oh, hello," Ann was saying.
 Ann, dear, this is April!' And then, because she was trembling, April cradled the telephone in her hand and curled up on the lounge.
 "Oh, April dear. What's wrong?" The quick pulse of fear travelled the miles in split second.
 Were perfectly all right April made herself say steadily. Mother and Dad went up to the cabin to build log fires and spend rugged weekend. Octavia has taken her self downstairs and at any minute Nip is going to howl hello."
 And you?" There was gay re- lief in Ann's question.
 "Oh, me. I'm my same gorgeous salf, Annie. Reason I'm calling up has to do with you, Ann. You've got to come home at once - this very night, on the midnight train"
 But why? There is something wrong, then!"
 NO, Ann, everything's as right as right can be. Better yet, Kent Carter came home today"
 Kent! You mean for good, from Fort Dodd?"
 "No, honey, not for good. On leave until Monday night. Now listen quick, Ann, because every word I'm saying costs money. It was all unexpected, mean Rents coming home. Naturally, he's crazy to see you"
 All the things she'd meant to say vanished in Ann's quick an- swer. "But April, I can't come home, even to see Kent" She paused briefly, went on, "As 8