Radio and television mirror (July-Dec 1942)

he had embarrassed himself, but his eyes never left Linda's face. Would she laugh at him? Act superior to him? He seemed to find the right answer in Linda's eyes. "But I'm not an ordinary fellow," Steve said. "I may be cowardly. I may be stupid sometimes. I may not know how to make a lot of money. But I don't think I'm ordinary." "You're not," Linda said. "Not if I'm to judge by the music I heard." "You still like it?" "I still hear it," said Linda. Steve's face seemed suddenly to grow gayer. "Do you want to go for a walk?" he asked. Linda nodded. They started down the street. "Lucky thing for me your father wasn't sitting on the porch with you," Steve said. "He'd have heard me say hello and called the police." "He's not that bad," Linda protested. "He's really very kind and generous — " "All successful men are kind and generous," Steve said brusquely. Then, almost as though he were anxious to break away from that subject, he said, "Your name is Linda." Linda laughed. "It has been for a long time," she said. "I've known it for a long time," Steve said seriously. He turned and looked at her. "Linda .... You know, I wished this would happen tonight." "Did you really?" Linda looked away. "Yes." Steve paused for a moment, then went on with his rather unusual manner of rushing his words, as though he were afraid he might not get a chance to say them. "Yes," he said. "That's why I was so timid about coming down this street. I didn't want to come up to your house and call out and hear nothing — except my wish laughing in my face." Linda turned and smiled at Steve, her eyes luminous in her face. She had wished it, too. And here they were, walking along together. It wasn't an extraordinary evening. Neither warm nor cold. Yet never had Linda felt herself so light and buoyant and alive. AND how easily they talked! They -^* might have been friends for years, these two, except for the eagerness with which they wanted to find out about each other. Steve's music — and Linda's dreams! Steve's fears — and Linda's hopes! It was an effort for each of them to speak casually, to hide the truth. So they talked — about Dr. Stratton, about the town — and about the music Linda had heard. Then Linda remembered the time — it was time to turn back. Linda felt rather than saw the hurt, disappointed expression that came into Steve's face and eyes. They retraced their steps in silence. Steve finally cleared his throat. "Do you think I'll ever see you again?" he asked. "Yes," Linda said. "I think so." "I mean — not accidentally. I mean — I'm asking you for a date." "I was wondering if you would," Linda smiled. "Tomorrow?" "All right." "I — I won't be able to take you out, or anything," Steve hesitated, then went doggedly on. "I haven't got much money, but — I — I think I ought to make that clear — but — when shall AUGUST. 1942 *• -sit* ^01Wpe* |OH* ***°*s?A A%« l«i#''s's iwi-P*5'"" ,..ANOP£P vTO "YOU MAY HAVE SEEN US... performing as drum majorettes... at the Chicago Bears' football games... or other places. You know we really do look a lot alike. When we made the tooth powder test, Mother suggested that Shirley be the one to use Pepsodent. I chose another leading brand/' "IT SURE TURNED OUT to be a swell suggestion. ..for Shirley ! While her teeth had never been quite as bright as mine, after she used Pepsodent her teeth became easily twice as bright! Mother was so impressed she immediately switched to Pepsodent and could hardly wait 'til I did/" For the safety of your smile . . . use Pepsodent twice a day . . . see your dentist twice a year ! 67