The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-02-14
ITONNQ!R,;'R!:C,W- FAIR


who had proteotively clotted to-
gether. he walked over 10 Kitty
with = hint Of hAng-dog deilanee.
Hello, Kitty" he said, how
are thlnssp"
"on the whole, or Just for to-
nights"
Just for tonight" said Randall,
smiling down at her oddly.
He looked broweeaten, Kitty
thought, and she felt sorry for
him now that she had had a sam
pie herself OF what he lived with.
sit down." she invited Just
for tonight, she thought he de-
serves q little time on, and forgot
that It might cost her something
too. How are things with you,
RandallS"
well" said Randall, IN tell
you, because you actually seem to
care. At some stage Of hts life,
every man with common sense is
forced TO stop and look ct the
record. This is what I'm up
against, he says, and this Is all
I've got to combat It with. II the
odds against him are overwhelm.
ing-well, has got to decide what
next. suppose you'll never know,
Kitty, how thankful I am YOU
came along just when I had to de-
eide what next"
oh, Randall" said Kitty So
berly, Il can't believe I'm really
any help, but IL YOU think I am I'm
glad"
Cant FIX up your drink q lit
tle9" interrupted Randall suddenly.
mo, thanks" said Kitty, discon.
certed until she realized that Mac
and Mag were approaching, but I'd
love some more ice, II you're on your
way in that direction"
DEG watched Randall going to-
l. ward the kitchen with the two
glasses. There wasn't anything to
do about It: he always spent the
evening walking back and forth to
the source Of supply and freshen-
ing his own drink on every at
tentive trip. However, he never
misbehaved overly, he just grew
more and more quiet and remote
and retreated into some far coun-
try that, judging from the way
his face heightened as the hours
passed, was a very sad place.
But tonight, Randall wasn't re-
treating. When he came back and
found his wife. Mac, and Kitty
sitting in a little group making
difncult conversation about a
movie, Randall carefully set down
the glasses he carried and then
said, Whats the mater, Mac
: aren't you being as fascinating as
usual tonight2"
Mag bit her lip angrily.
Don't, Randall" thought Kitty
tenSely. "Don'tp
Who, meP" said Mac. I'm al
was fascinating. Ask the girls!'
Kitty" said Mag, probably
wouldn't look at you, my poor
friend, IL she weren't marooned in
Doremus the Dull"
One Of Pegs friends overheard
Mag being disparaging as usual
She was tired Of it, and rose to
defend.
we don't all think it's dun
she said. And I hope Kitty won't
md 1t 80 terribly boring! I'm SURE
Il like it." said Kitty hastily. 81
haven't been bored, certainly. Al
moments" she said, her mind or
Collins and his mysterious de.
scent. I've even found It almost
too exciting"
My dear" said Mag smoothly
I'm sure you're always sur
rounded by excitement - and other
women's husbands"
THERE was a bleak uncomfort-
L able silence all over the room
They all knew Mag, and perhaps
tney MADE some allowances, but
Kitty was wretchedly conscious
that she was an outsider, and ar
improved one at that. She saw
Peg open her mouth, but she knew
she mustn't let Peg fight this bat
tie for her Mac was watching her
specifically and Kitty knew he was
waiting for her to walk out on this
and quit; but she wasn't going to.
Il don't know exactly what YOU
mean, Mag" she said, and
think Ill just go on not knowing
what you mean, because I'm visit.
ing Peg and Ben and you're Their
friend"
Very correct commented Mag
Practice makes perfect. doesn'i
Peg looked desperately toward
Ben. Shed always known thu
latent hysteria that burned in MAJ
would erupt some day, but she'c
never dreamed anything so horrible
as watching it scar Kitty.
III tell you what think" Ber
oid his best, Il think we'd BETTE
practice on some poker. And
think war and worry are enough
to make all Of US see things in tn,
night. I'll tend to Kitty-IIl suaill
her tomorrow for being too prett,
in the facet"
Kitty gulped. even more shaker
by Ben's fumbling. loyal attemp
70 rescue her and the situation
than she had been by Mays at,
TACK. That didn't seem real. /
didn't seem real. 1t didn't seem DOS
slole that anyone could speak to he
Ike that. She wouldn't look at Mac
ASK the ladies Of Doremus," Ma
had told Collins, and leased he
ABOUT disrupting homes. Suddenl,
tnat had an ugly reality too. Sh
wasn't like that, but how were the,
to know"
Ben" she said shakily, IT thinI
I'D like to play poker, but :
And it's awfully rare for a brothe
to tell q sister she's pretty but I'm
not that pretty! I--IIl be bacI
when the game starts!"
She got out OF the room Blind.
because she wasn't going to Civ
Mag Seaton the satisfaction O
seeing tears on her face. Sh
bolted into the kitchen but /