The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-12-05
someone came up behind her, touched her shoulder lightly.
RY HELEN R. WOODWARD

someone came up behind her, touched her shoulder lightly.
 "Hellol If you're thinking of buying some of that candy, I'll go in with you"
 She turned to meet Phil Bruce's smiling face and her own lit up with pleasure. Hello, yourselfl How nice to see youp
 He took her arm. Lets so In and see what they've got, Every afternoon at this time I experi- ence the bangs of starvationl It's the English in me, I guess Couldn't you do with Q little somethingp"
 "of course" she answered gay- ly. Any timep
 It was charming place, softly lighted. and with e decidedly Bo. hemian air Of informality. The scarlet and chromium bar was crowded at this cocktail hour, but Phil steered Diana back to the more secluded tables. The waitresses ali wore pink and white checked frooks, friliy white aprons and caps, and the luscious little blond who waited on them made sure of a generous tip by frankly making eyes ct Phil. Phil, after his cocktail, ordered an enormous sandwich.
 But won't 1t spoil your din- nhrpD Diam asked
 He snorted disdainfully. Gosh, noI Lady you are gazing on q man who not only eats to live, but lives to eatl"
 "It's a wonder you're not com pletely surrounded by fat" she said, noting however his lean, muscular figure.
 I would be, suppose, if it were not for the religious cere- monies [ undergo every morning with dumb-bells and the like" He sighed. "some day I'm going to settle down and turn into c nice old gentleman with . bald pate and q round tummy."
 Diana laughed. Add long white whiSkers, and you could double for Santa clausl"
 Later she said cudouSly. "You promised to tell nc something of Evalyn Thorpe = how she hap- pened to marry Richard"
 Phil's face sobered, took on the look of rapt adoration EValyn's name always called forth. ITO tell you the truth, I don't know quite how 1t happened. We three --Evalyn, steve and I - grew up together were neighobrS, you know. Eyalyn's parents still live there in Green street n few houses below the Curts. There were wins ter week. lends ehre in town from school - parties, shows, lots of fun, Summers in camp. We never thought Of Evalyn'S handicap, She never lot Us, And we agreed ct on early age that one of us should marry her -- take care Of her al- ways"
 Ills voice tralled off for c mos inent, remembering. "Then Steve and went of to college - we only saw EVaiyn during the holidays -and Richard Thorpe came to practice jaw in old Man Durbin's office. I guess no just swept her of her feet. We didn't ike to think that Thorpe used EValyn to insure his position in the com- inunlty. We were relieved when we saw how consideFato - how genuinely fond he seemed of her"
 Diana's fingers frightened on the slender glass before her. What would Phil and stephen do if they knew about Adeia's affair with Thorpe2 How humiliated stephen would be to learn that his. own sister was involved with tho hus- band of the womn he cherished go fondlyl And Phil's anger would not Do tempered by any brotheFly consideration. She BhuddeFed to think to what 1t oil might lead.
 Phil left her at the corner after Diana refused to lot him walk home with her, "Oh, by the way he called after her, remind me to tell stephen Curt what lovely wife he hasl"
 Diana went on her way smiling warmly, her mind busy with the things Phil had told her.
 She decided suddenly to see Ellen Curt. She had not seen her for sev- oral days and had an idea the old lady might Do lonely, though she would die rather than admit it.
 DHbney smiled her wintry smile and admitted Diana into the cozy living room. A brilliant little fire sent dancing reflections Into the far corners of the room. Diana glanced about while she waited. Ellen Curt gathered about her all the cherished nioinentos of her early married life. The effect was startling, but not unpleasant.
 Presently Ellen came in, her small gray slippers tapping on the polished floor. She carried an ebony cane today and Diana thought her small round face looked strained with suffering.
 You're i'll I shouldn't have bothered you"
 "NonesenseI Sit down. My ar- thritis Is c little troublesome to- day" She seated herself on the stiff sofa. "Wlll you have Q cup of tea with me9"
 "Yes = If you're going to have it anyway, I just had a cocktail uN MV-wY~~ -Aw "