The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-13
TRUST IN TOMORROW
CHAPTER "

 1 CT in tomorrows.
 Perhaps Mother and Dad would return ahead of time from the camping trip and figure a way out of this situation. Maybe Ann would change her mind and come home. That was it, of course. Ann would start thinking about Kent and would leave for Pattonsville, audi tion or not. Anything could happen tomorrow, so really all she had to worry about was tonight.
 And tonight, after the long train ride, the fresh memory of what he'd been through, Kent must be spared. That was where the in- spiration came in.
 For minute, it struck her as strange that she should be bother ing at all. Yet somehow the mem- ory of Rents unseeing eyes, the thought of how much this week end leave meant to him, made her pick up the telephone resolutely.
 Hello, Kent-bet you could never guess what sweet young hero Wor- 6nlper IIllS IS.
 She was all April now as she held the telephone cupped close to her mouth. Her voice was like Ann's, but the flippant words were hers.
 Why, yes" Kent was saying, tits April. How are you, April?" Never mind about how I am," she crooned. How is the conquering warrior?"
 "Oh, very well, thanks" His words were clipped.
 Why didn't you let us know about your leave ahead of time so we could have brought the band out and throw party? It's not every day man of military affairs comes into our midst"
 I'm hardly that" He made a forced attempt at laughter. April lowered her voice.
 Kent, in all seriousness, Ann wanted me to send word to you."
 "Ann-is she all right?"
 April held the hand-set a little closer. So far, so good. She mustn't say . thing she couldn't stand by later.
 Ann will be all right" she hast ened on, tits only that she's little well, your coming home so sudden and everything"
 Kent was quick to answer. T know it. It's all my fault. Trying to pull the heroics and not writing hers
 You know how Ann is," April was whispering, as if Ann herself might be overhearing. She's not very strong"
 She'll be fine tomorrow if she gets a good rest, don't you think?" The eagerness in his voice made April's fingers curl around the cord.
 "Oh, yes. Oh, my, should say so," she answered. "Everything will be fine tomorrow"
 I guess it won't hurt me any either to slack up tonight. Army routine's pretty tough, you know. You tell Ann it's perfectly all right and I understand. I'll call her the first thing tomorrow"
 "Yes, I'll tell her. Any other kind words you want to pass along?"
 Why, yes," Kent spoke very quietly. Say that she's got to be okay tomorrow. I'm going to kid nap her for the whole day"
 "H'm, orders from the top ser- geant. If you were here, suppose I'd salute"
 He laughed. Good night, April, and thanks for calling"
 Wait a minute, Cap'n Carter. Whoa, there!" She knew she should say good night. She knew she would spoil the whole results of her in- spiration if she said another word. And yet she couldn't stop herself. The Glitterbug, indeed!
 "Yes?" he said it impersonally.
 How about me volunteering in Ann's place tonight?"
 Thanks, April" he said, "but that wouldn't do. Good night and good luck"
 She needed it. She felt very empty as she went upstairs to dress. Kent had said, Thanks, but that would mt do." What he meant, of course, was that she wouldn't do.
 Casa Blanca, everyone said, was wonderful night club for town like Pattonsville. A big shell of place it had a smooth floor and a good orchestra. Every now and then some of the big-name bands you heard on the radio came here to play one-night engagement.
 Tonight, April decided, Casa Blanca looked like Casa Blank to her. It seemed suddenly too big, too much decorated, sort of imitation of the real thing. And every dance piece the orchestra played was just in imitation, too, of some other band that played it better.
 April wore new black net dress, with skirt billowing in yards-and- yards and a bodice cunningly Sprinkled with small silver seuuins.