The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-03-14
CHAPTER XVIII

CHAPTER XVIII
 WYE drove along In silence until
 W I thawed the ice by making wisecracks. Gradually my passen- gers relaxed and I began to ask questions. From merely making eon- Versation became interested. The fellow wasn't the boy friend or hus- band, but the brother. That was q horse of Q different color,
 The names were Don and Mickey Stevens, Mickey was what she called herself, The real name was Milli- cent and she didn't like 1t.
 Mickey was go. TWO years older than Don. And the way she worried about that big lug's comfort made me sick. Tn fact It was because of Don that this trip had been under- taken, He'd set his heart on work Ing in an aircraft factory on the coast and they'd read an ad saying the industry was booming In Los Angeles where there was Q shortage of skilled workers. The school that sponsored the ad undertook to turn out skilled men in three months ct e fee of $50 per month. To me 1t sounded like c racket but didn't say 30, It was none of my business. Mickey had quit her job at the Grand Island Public Library, and had withdrawn oil her savings in order to give her brother Q break, Joe was going to drive them to North Platte where they were to take the bus to California, Then I happened along,
 While they were telling me all this, I was becoming more and more sold on the idea of driving them oil the way to Los Angeles, l didn't mention 1t, however. like springing surprises.
 As we entered North Platte some time later, Don directed me to the bus depot, I slowed down but didn't stop.
 "Hey" he yelled, We've passed
 I began cireling about the town looking for 0 good restaurant and he couldn't figure me out. His sister, on the other hand, didn't say Q thing. She was acting as if my be. havlor was perfectly normal.
 Well, Mickeyp" asked, Aren't you worriedp"
 No, Youll soon get tired of doing this"
 That sort of spoiled 1t. I pulled up in front of an attractive looking eating place with red and white curtains in the windows
 Look, kids" I began. When Uncle Leo picked you up he was getting the jitters from being all alone. He needs someone to hold his hand for the rest of the trip to the coast. How about it?"
 They looked at each other.
 Gee, Misterl' Don exclaimed.
 glanced at Mickey. A deep flush had come to her cheeks and 1t was very becoming. ' SENT them into the restaurant 4 while I drove the car to @ ga- rage around the corner. It needed | lubricating and I also wanted 1t | washed and polished. Somehow my mood had undergone 8 remarkable l change.
 My proteges were sitting at a table, waiting for me, There was quite an argument before We got around to ordering our lunches. Mickey insisted that she and Don were going to pay for their own, and 1t took all my powers of per- SuaSion to talk them out of 1t.
 While We were eating I kept | dancing at Mickey. Her beauty wasn't obvious. It grew upon you Ilowly. When you'd finished won. iering at the color of those eyes, you noticed the skin. And then he teeth, She used hardly any makeup and her dress was simple put in the best taste.
 What are you looking at me ike that for?" she asked, sud- lenly.
 Nothing. Just looking"
 There was something else that