The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-12-22
CHAPTER VI

MT, Herrick did put Bill of when he went to him Monday to see about repairing the old toyland elevator.
 Bill called Carol shortly after noon and asked her to come to the toy department aS soon aS she could. She found Bill in his Santa Claus suit standing in front of his tinsei throne.
 "Mr. Herrick wouldn't promise anything" he told her. Said he'd look into 1t. He talked about ex- penses and how they were trying to hold them down. He thinks he can make money by squeezing every dollar. The danger angle doesn't worry him.
 Then you'll just have to go over his head and see Andy after all"
 Bill shrugged ominously. That's out. Carol. Andy happened to walk Into HerrIck's office when I was arguing with him. Of course, Andy didn't know what 1t was all about. I could have been asking for ( raise aS easily as begging for elevator repairs. But he didn't ask. He simply joined In and told inc Mr. Herrick was h charge Of oil operating details"
 "Oh, 2illl We're helpless now. We can't do anythingl Maybe I should have let you 60 to Andy In the first place."
 Don't blame yourself" He trieA to smile 1t of. T didn't get you lip here for that. I really wanted to ask you about the stores half.n-half party. I'm president of the thing this year you know and tiss committee wants me to get Andy's permission to have it next Saturday night. They're afraid Andy may want to put 1t of because of his fathers death"
 MT. Dearborn would have wanted us to go ahead. Why not so back with me and ask Andy row7 slfe's in his offlce."
 Bui looked at his Santa Claus suit. T guess it's ali right for Santa to be planning Q dance" he said good -naturedly. Let's Ro."
 "Andy1i remember that his father liked tho parties," Carol said aS they walked down the stairs. "1n fact 1t was Mir. Dear horn's idea for the half-n-half suit that gave the party it's name. He used to say, Half way between ChristInas and New Years, so I'll come as half Santa CluaS and half Father TIinel' Remember, Bill?"
 I remember l have a date with you" said Bill.
 "Yes, you have" Her lips ans- wered, but her heart raced back to another holiday when Andy's father had brought him to the party. Andy was just back from military college then and had duty.danced with oil the girls once. But he had danced with Carol twicel ehc could still feel the warmth of his arms. She had been wearing q cornhower blue dress, teh color of her eyes. He'd said, but of course 1t was only his line, You're the prettieSt girl In the store. Carroll" She had looked up at him and smiled. "Fiattereri Do you tell oil the girls that7 They might compare uotesi"
 But she hadn't forgotten it.
 
 They found Andy in his ofiice. "do right ahead" he agreed. "Teil the committee it's all right"
 You'll be there, too?" Bill asked.
 Andy smiled doubtfuily. T can't promise that. But you have your party as usual"
 Carol felt let down. Mir. Dear. born always came. Andy should remember that He'd enter into their foolish gaiety, and as 0 cn- max Of the evening he would ap. pear in the half-n-half costume. It had been originated by Mir. Dear. borns own sense of humor. The back of it was red velvet and white fur in the traditional Santa Claus