The Wilmington morning star., 1947-11-23
EChaNenge 70 Love:
= BY ETHEL HAMILL '-3ye tsRsS6
@Arcodio House. Distributed by SERVICE NC %R[P
By ETHEL HAMILL
@Areodo House, Inc; Distributed by NEA SERVICE, INC

AAA@N ~
"I'm sorry, Herbert. The re-
fusal formed itself on her lips,
y with no real thought behind it.
I'm terribly tired, and besides
hat
"Don't start telling me again
that you've sworn off dates" He
sounded hurt, now, and plain
tive. "You m ay even think
you're through with men in your
life, but
AS suddenly as that, the truth
came clear to her. Through with
men in her life? Was that what
she had been telling herself?
And had she really believed it?
But I do want one m n. she
thought, astonished. I want Joel!
I love him, l really love him.
This isn't like those others. This
isn't just romance. I-love-
him!
In the parlor behind her the
piano had stopped its airy tinkle.
Footsteps on the worn parquetry
told her that Joel and Maurlne
were headed now out toward the
veranda. He must be leaving,
then.
She could hear their voices
murmuring.
"-think it's Just darling of
you to ask me to the Welcome
Dance, Joel, dear" It might
have been the voice OF the tur-
tie, so much did that honey
suckle accent embody all that
was spring and romance. "I'm
ever so surprised. 1 mean, that
you'd ask little freshman me
when the college is full of real
glamor girls like Camnie.
''I'm little surprised to find
that Pm going to that shindig,
myself" oel conceded. lady
and good-natured. 'But since
you suggested it-why not? We
ought to have ourselves a time" :"
"Oh!" breathed Cam, softly.
'What did you say?" cracked
Herbert's voice instantly. bad
connection, Canellia. 1 couldn' t
catch"
Cam spoke firmly, clearly. II
said your arguments are too
persuasive to Withstand, Her.
bert. I said I'll be ready at 9
clock, if you'll pick me up
then. l said Thank you, Her
bert"
Flung across the bed in the
cool front bedroom which once
had been lined with h er dolls
and teddy bears, she could give
way at last to exh austed and
frightened - yes, and rueful-
tears.
She hadn't wanted to fall ir
love, heaven knew! She hadn't
intended this to happen not
ever!
A soft knock beat at her door
no louder than the beat of 8
birds wing against a window
easement. Cam C h ecked he1
breath and lay where she was
silent. But the door opened any.
how.
Maurine's dark, pert head ap
peared around the edge of it.
"You're not taking a nap, are
you, Cammie? I just wanted to
tell you something wonderful
That absolutely gorgeous Joel
Conroy has invited me to the
Welcome Dance, so I'm afraid
I'll be o ut again tonight. eff
she added dutifully - "you and
Uncle William don't mind?"
eve won't mind" Cam said,
in a far-away voice.
"You aren't upset or anything,
are you, darling? I mean, I
know Joel used to be your beau.
And I wouldn't for worlds break
up anything for you. But when
he asked me, just now-weIl, l
didn't see how could refuse
without seeming rude"
"Have fun at the Dance" said
Cam. "And tell Dad I won't be
down for dinner, will you? I
was taking a nap. I need one!"
When she awoke, she felt con-
siderably rested. Running the
water for her tub, she examined
her reflection in I'll e bathroom
mirror with critical eyes. It had
been good many months since
she had cared how she had
looked, since anything so per-
sonal as her likeness in 4 sheet
of glass could seem important.
Well, tonight Joel Conroy was
due for a surprise!
This image paerins back at
her now through the 1iv,llsts Of
steam already clouding the mir
ror was not the Camellia who
would sweep into the Welcome
Dance on Herb Powell's arm, an
hour from now. That Camellia
she swore it with all the ardor
of q gypsy oath-was going to
be something!
(To Be COntinued