The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-08-16
Household Hints
LAB GIRL By Rene Ryerson Mort sss ss'ysssg yssy,g. :ss
COPYRIGHT. isAa. NEA SERVICE. ING.

just what she wanted. Not having to ride home with Ken will make the break with him complete. But anger choked her. It hurt her pride for Ken to have been the one to end their friendship. She was even angrier when she learned from the boy who drove her home, that Ken has asked to change hours with the second trick foreman. She knew then that 1t was a deliberate move on his part to avoid seeing her.
 Fortunately for Barbee there was the excitement of Ned's being at home to tide her over the break. There was something doing every evening, a dance, party, or dinner. Since Ned and Della were inevitably coupled together now in all invita- tions, Charles Mowry was included as Barbee's escort. They became an inseparable foursome.
 The last evening of Ned5s all too short furlougn the four of them spent at home to be with Dad. They played bridge for awhile, and then just talked.
 Ned clapped Charles on the shoulder. Has he told you yet what he's been up to?"
 What is it. Charles?' the girls chorused
 Ned answered for him. He's got himself commission in the Chemical Warfare Service"
 That's fine. Charles" Barbee said quickly, wondering why he looked so crestfallen. TT sup pose you'll be going away then. too"
 Ned laughed uproariously. That's the funny part of it. Old Charley had visions of being shipped over- seas right away, rather fancied himself as hero, didn't you?"
 "Oh, shut up,' Charles growled good
 Ned was still laughing. And where do you think he's going?"
 Wed like to know," Barbee said little impatiently.
 He's been assigned to that place that makes gas masks, right here in town. The place where you work, Barbee."
 They all laughed, even if it was at Charles expense. It was one of those unpredecented jokes of wartime. But for Barbee it de- veloped a sudden complication.
 Ned had taken Della home and Charles fingered with Barbee. You know how I feel about you, don't you, Barbee?" he began rather abruptly.
 Barbee yanked her treacherous thoughts back to her immediate surroundings. She had been thinking about Ken, she hadn't seen him since that morning when he had told her that his trick had been changed. That was nearly week ago, now. Her thoughts had a habit of slipping away to him the moment they weren't fully occupied.
 She looked at Charles, silent for a moment, and then truthfully, Yes, I think I do, Charles"
 T haven't said anything before," he went on eagerly, because, well, because everything is so un- certain in these war days. But now, if I'm to be stationed here, there's no reason why we couldn't be married. That is - that is - if -" he stumbled to an awkward halt seeing the lack of response in her face.
 She got up from the davenport, walked to a window, stared out into teh night, unable to face him for moment, until she could col lect her errant thoughts.
 Every instinct in her urged her to say "YeS", to Charles proposal She wasn't in love with him, She wouldn't be ecstatically happy as his wife, but she's have the kind of life she'd grown up to expect. Shed have security, and decency, and respect.
 And that fact that she didn't love Charles wouldn't make any differ ence to him. He'd be willing to accept whatever she had to give. She knew him well enough to be sure Of that. She turned back to him.
 Forgive me, Charles. IT didn't mean to be rude. It was rather sudden, have to have a little time to think about it."
 He took her hands, and drew her gently beside him. Take all the time you want to think about It, Barbee darling. I'll wait - you know that. don't you?"
 Barbee drew deep breath. Thank you, Charles. I'll think about it."