The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1943-09-08

Bill knows Brenda went on,
that he can trust any man with
you. What you ought to do. Susan
is go to beauty parlor.'
Susan collapsed against the
back of the car seat, and Brenda
taking another quick look at her
was sorry she had been so plain
spoken. But maybe it was JUS
what Susan needed. Neither cir
spoke for some time. not unit
Brenda was steering her car into
the lane that led up to the ole
Leigh house.
Sometimes. Susan said pa
thetically, Il feel that Bills GLAD
he can get Adam North to take
his place at one of my dinners
or at bridge. AS he did the 9th.
er night. Anyway. he's always
suggesting that ] call Adam. al.
most throwing us at each other.
| of course" said Brenda. "Anc
since Adam likes your cooking ano
never thinks of you as an allurine
female, the two OF y o u just &C
along. safe and secure and little
dull"
Susan was again silent. She Just
sat, limp and unhappy. anu
watched Brenda park the car 4lear
wide, leaf-strewn porch.
Il loathe women who are de.
liberately alluring.' she said pres.
emily. They're so obvious"
And yet said Brenda, smil-
ing. "men go for them She stop.
ped the car and faced Susan. Why
not have try at it. anyWay?"
AT What-being alluring?"
Yes"
But I'm not the type. Brenda"
Don't be silly" said Brenda.
Ill take you in hand tomorrow
not day later-and see what can
be done.
"You mean you're going-to
make me over?'
Something like that. yes. You
need just the right shade of lip
stick. something done to your
hair-and some of those soft. dain-
ty organdie things you used to
wear. Remember
Yes, but
Bill adored you because you
were dainty and feminine and cool
and desirable. You've got to be
that way again.
That was when l was 16,' said
Susan. I'm 80 now, and that
makes big difference.
Listen. Susan Potter said
Brenda. An artist has said that
the thirties are the years when a
woman is at her best She jump
ed out of the car. Now let's for,
get all about that. darling. and
cook our meal. I'm starved
I'm hungry. too" said Susan.
Something in the autumn air does
things to appetities.
Right. And for the rest of the
day YOU and I are going to be
kids again.
Susan followed Brenda to the
front door-stood while she I'M
locked it. She was experiencing a
strange conglomeration of emo
tons. Some were oddly exciting,
as though she faced something big
and thrilling - and some were
strangely fear-filled, as though she
faced crisis in her life and might
not pull through.
The fun of cooking the meal out
in the ancient kitchen, with its
huge fireplace and great wood
burning cookstove, and then eating
the meal lifted Susans spirits. She
hustled about happily, thoroughly
and completely at home. And Bren-
da, watching her, marveled at how
quickly culinary atmosphere
made Susan forget all her worries
about Bill and Alicia.
w llSll lllC dlSIlGS Wei oil
they went over the house.
Il wish it weren't SO big" said
Brenda. I'd really love to live
out here part Of each year, bu-
IFS bigness scares me- I'd feel
lost.
You could close up part of it, ."
said Susan. Live in the lower
part, turning that smaller parlor
into a bedroom. you know, putting
a bathroom downstairs.
mot bad idea. Only 7 don t
want to spend too much money"
Susan eyed her. "You could
bring your husband out here with
you. Men like big houses and hav-
ing room to do gardening, and
things like that
But l haven't any husband"
said Brenda.
II know, but you will one OF
these days. You can't stay single
forever-a girl as lovely as you
are
''Thanks." said Brenda. Men
are funny, though. They get ideas
about women who go in for ca
reers or get fairly good salaries.
Most men are afraid of women
like that, feel hesitancy about
asking them to marry them. You
knoW-the wife making salary
as large as the husband
But you could stop working
after you marry. Then the man
wouldn't feel uncomfortable. You
could just keep up your writing,