The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-19
APRIL MEETS TROUBLE
CHAPTER K

Now the thing to do was to harden her heart.
 April didn't look at Kent after she stepped into the roadster. The day was over, the game ended. She had played her part right up to the last tag-line.
 Tomorrow, Ann might come home. If she did, April would tell her what she had done and make 1t perfectly clear why. "He doesn't mean anything to me-" she would say. T only wanted to help you"
 If Ann didn't return, there'd be some way she, April could avoid seeing Kent.
 She began to think of Ann, Ann the gentle one, the sweet one with the silver voice who'd have her great chance tonight.
 Steady there," Kent advised as the roadster rocked on the red road.
 I'm trying to beat the storm. '
 "For a minute it felt af is we were headed for spill"
 NOS NC JOob AAAAoOCA SAAN'
 She scanned the skyline. Clouds were marching around the tents of the hill, gray and menacing eFunny," she said, how day can start all sunshine and then get to fioundering around in clouds and darkness
 If you'll overlook my being lyrical, I could say it always grows bright again"
 For you, 1t will" That was safe to say. He could take 1t the way he wanted. She must keep everything impersonal between them, impersonal as the weather. The speedometer danced.
 And all the time, her mouth settled in a hard line and her heart grew more stoney.
 q feel like an oaf sitting here while you do all the driving" ]" Kent said. T ought to be taking the wheel for the trek home. It's to much for you, Ann"
 ''Not at all" She bit of the words. T like it"
 The top was up but already the first sweep of gale tore at the side of the car. Nip, the wire-haired, SnugGled close at April's side. Kent hunched forward, straining as if he couldn't bear his helpless ness.
 If could only see you for one second" he said. T bet your eyes are sparkling and that there's charcoal Smudge on your nose. I like to look a t you when you're intent on something, Ann. You have a lift to your head that I'm crazy about"
 April fought down an urge to say, "Yep, you would like to see An now. Five hundred miles away and as intent as all get-out on an addition with the great Vi- vano tonight" But no, she clamped her lips and made the speedometer dance a little faster.
 Dusk blurred the daylight; night came on. The wind was a roaring cavalcade behind them, pushing them on. April knew she must reach Rents home before the storm broke. If she timed it right, she'd have a perfect excuse for leaving him at his gate without further farewells.
 On and on, the smiles sped but even on the short cuts they seemed twice as long as they had been this morning. Once the engine baked. Once she stopped for gas. Another time she tried to slip past a truck and almost sent the car in ditch.
 All the things Kent had said about her came back. It was soothing to think of Hal Parks. Hal was sophisticated, smart, worldly and he liked her. And yes blast him he was the one who indirectly had started her on this ill-fated fling when he'd said there were other things you could be drafted for besides the army. Drafted for love! It sounded swell but she'd been turned down, re- jected, service deferred.
 Were sure playing tag with the storm" Kent said, innocent of the storm that shook her to the core.
 You bet" She felt his eyes on her as the car raced. Ann never drove spectacularly.