Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1941-03-21

financial situation. She doesn't have
much money. She's Vassar grad
uate and l think she might jump at
the chance. However, we'll wait and
see how things turn out"
Dick came back to Sonny's prop
osition: "You're going to let her do
it?"
"Of course. But Pm going to de-
duct that $40 every month"
you're hard taskmaster."
ut will do her good"
II
AS the holidays approached, Kirk
had half a mind to tell Sonny to
come to town and have her allow
ance deductions start after New
Years. But that, he told himself,
would spoil the whole thing. Besides,
he would not be able to see much of
her as Janice had his time pretty
well booked. So he gave up thinking
about the situation and went out and
bought Sonny an utterly extravagant
watch, huge bottle of perfume and
new ski suit.
Kirk telephoned Sonny early Christ
mas morning, and the sound of her
eager voice over the telephone cheer
ed him up the whole, long, difficult
day. That first Christmas in the
Hollister home since Tom had gone
was a trying one.
Janice had hoped for her engage
ment ring for Christmas but Kirk
bought her instead handsome star
sapphire dinner ring. She enthused
over the beautiful stone, but her
mother was furious. make him set
the date, Janice. This is ridiculous"
And the girl, weeping, had asked
just how she could manage it.
"When 1 was your age, I didn't
have to ask such questions. Use
your head!"
The day before New Years, Kirk
got to his office early. The work
was piled high on his desk. Janice
telephoned at IL, wanted him to take
her to luncheon, but he pleaded bust
ness. He had tray sent in and kept
on working until one o'clock. Sudden
ly he threw down his pen. ITO devil
with it'll"
All morning he had been forcing
himself to work. 1t was no use. He
would go to Marlboro. He could get
there in two hours easily and be back
for the eight o'clock dinner.
"I'm not sure that I'll be back"
Kirk told his secretary as he left.
Elsa smiled. She knew instinc-
lively where he was going. There
had been another letter from Marl-
boro that morning.
Kirk felt gay and festive as he
left the garage, turned his car to-
ward the west side highway, and
started for George Washington
Bridge. Once in the country, he step
ped on the gas, anxious to arrive at
his destination. The drive up was
beautiful and Kirk felt like kid on
stolen holiday, He drew up in
front of Mrs. Metzger's house before
three o'clock. When the door opened
to his ring, Sonny herself stood in
the hall.
Kirk" She rushed to him, threw
both arms about his neck and he lift
ed her off the porch floor in a big
hug.
Cant you let fellow in? I'm
freezing"
Excited and laughing, Sonny let
him into the sitting-room from where
fire was burning.
81 can't believe you're here!" she
kept saying, dancing about. tits
the incest New Years gift, your COM
ing!"
They talked for while, and then
Kirk suggested a walk. So shortly
the two of them were swinging along
the path into Marlboro woods.
Sonny talked and talked as though
there were not going to be enough
time to tell him all the things she
had on her mind.
When they returned to the house
an hour later, Mrs. Metzger had tea
ready. She asked Kirk to stay for
dinner.
"He1l have IN get hack to Nau
York." Sonny said. "You know it's
New Years Eve"
"You don't seem very anxious tc
e have me stay" Kirk teased.
$ "Oh, Kirk. I'd adore it, but unde,
f stand
f He stood up: 81 might telephone
Maybe I could beg off until later"
h The telephone was in the library
=