Radio Mirror: The Magazine of Radio Romances (Jan-June 1943)

chair by the window, knowing that with him had gone my every hope of happiness. There had never been anyone like him before, and there would never be again. I had been given a sight of something precious, and with my own hand I had closed the door on it. Because I knew now that I had blundered terribly. I had let fear trap me into doing something which was not only unlike the real me, but which was cheap and shameful. Hot waves of that shame flooded over me; I was too miserable even to cry. I could only huddle in the darkness and try not to remember. There was a repetition of the sound which had broken the silence — the sound of a car. A car coming slowly along the street, pulling to a stop before our door. And then footsteps on the walk, Victor's footsteps — I knew them so well! Their sound brought me to my feet on the crest of a great surge of joy and relief. He had come back! I might have turned then, and rushed down to him, but the sound of his voice stopped me. His voice, whispering— the small, intimate sound of a name, but not my name. "Helen? Helen, are you still there?" And her answer. "Yes, here I am." I don't know what they said after that. It was as if merciful hands had stopped my ears, but nothing could stop my thoughts. This was why Victor had brought me home so early. He had planned all along to return — to Helen. This was what that look which had flashed between them had meant. I sat very still, gathered into myself, as if in my very stillness I could stop the turning of the world, the progression of time. And in the silence I heard their voices once again. But first, their laughter, mingling and coming up to me as one mirth. OH, the idiot! The poor little idiot!" That was Helen, and her voice was all kindness. And Victor answering her. "I don't [ know whether you'll understand, but ; somehow, I simply couldn't say anything to her. She was making such a brave showing, and — well, you know , how fine and sensitive she is. I was ! afraid if I asked her why she staged this little drama, it might send her back into that shell it took me so long i to crack. And so I thought I would wait until tomorrow, but I found I couldn't let the night go by with this between us. Helen — do something. Fix it up for me." Helen's laughter sounded again. "You'll have to speak for yourself, John." And close on the heels of that, her voice calling softly to me, "Connie! Connie, come down here." Something quite outside me took me out of my room, impelled me down the stairs. Victor was waiting for me on the porch, but Helen had disappeared. Remember that kiss I dreamed about? It was reality now, and so were the arms around me. There was laughter in his voice, and something else that shook it, that made the sound of the words incredibly sweet. "Connie, Connie, I ought to turn you over my knee! You've been such a little idiot!" "I know." "And I've been such a terrible fool." I found a little laughter of my own. "I know." And that was all we said. Not that there wasn't more to say, but that could wait until tomorrow. "Yep, he fell for , these hands on the Sweetheart Shift/" HONEy.Beauty Advisor, says; EXTRA-SOFTENING! Hinds is an extra-creamy emulsion of skin-softening ingredients. WORKS FAST! Even one application of Hinds gives red, chapped skin a softer, whiter look... a comfy feel. EFFECT LASTS! Hinds skin-softeners help protect skin through work and soapy-water jobs. DOES GOOD! Not gummy, not sticky —doesn't just cover up roughness. Actually benefits skin. At toilet goods counters Buy War Savings Bonds and Stamps! HINDS A HANDS ^ and wherever skin needs softening!