Radio and television mirror (July-Dec 1942)

Ruth laughed. "That's funny. Gladys sending me a bracelet!" "Gladys," he said, "is not very bright." Ruth flushed. She felt a little angry. That remark could mean any number of things. It could mean that Gladys ought to know that no man would ever buy her a five thousand dollar bracelet. "I see," Ruth said, trying to keep the hurt out of her voice. "I don't think you do," he said. "Maybe I should put it this way. Gladys made a few catty remarks to me about a girl being in town one month and wangling herself a diamond bracelet. I repeat, Gladys is not very bright." He smiled. "Nor very observant." "Thanks," she said softly, "for the compliment." "Not at all," he said. "It doesn't take perfect vision to see you're a nice girl." He grinned. ' "I know you wouldn't take a bracelet, but, well — do you like flowers?" Ruth suddenly felt very warm inside. "Is that all there is to the story?" "Just about," he said. "Hitchcock came in a few days ago yelling for his bracelet, which of course hadn't been delivered to his Miss Manson. Now I'll return it to him." He frowned. "But I don't think the story should end there." "Why not?" Ruth asked. "The real Ruth Manson will get her bracelet and live happily ever after." "But what about the nice Ruth Manson?" he asked. "Don't you think she at least deserves a dinner and maybe a movie?" Ruth laughed, "Is that part of Rogers and Caswell's famous policy, Mr. Crane?" "No," he smiled. It was a very serious smile. "This is a very personal policy." He paused. "Please?" "All right," she said, quickly. "Tomorrow night." "What's the matter with tonight?" "I'm giving you a night to think it over," she said. "It's thought," he laughed. "But just to show you I mean it, I'll call for you tomorrow night." He stopped for a minute at the door and extended his hand. It was a firm, strong grip, but there was even more than friendliness in it. Ruth felt tingly. "Good night," she said. "Good night, Ruth," he said. FOR several minutes after he had gone, she leaned against the door feeling wonderful. She couldn't understand why there were tears in her eyes, but they were such good tears. Then, suddenly, she hugged herself. She danced a little step. She walked aimlessly around the room kicking at things. She ran over to the couch and jumped on it, playfully, like a little girl. She hadn't felt so silly and absolutely marvelous in years. All the next day, time dragged for Ruth. It seemed to her that even the incessant pounding of the machinery had slowed down. The shells moved by her as regularly and convincingly as ever, but she was out of tune with the rhythm. She felt like breaking all records for production of shells. Several times during the day, small fears crept into her heart. Perhaps, she thought, he'll forget. Perhaps he'll call and say he is sorry, but he just can't make it. Yet, even while these fears were present, she knew she'd see him that 80 night. She felt confident of the truthfulness behind those steady dark eyes, that nice mouth, the straight-forward way he talked and laughed. She blessed the bracelet. It had been like a magic lamp, which had brought her the one thing she needed and wanted most. She even gave thanks to the other Ruth Manson, the night club singer. She remembered, with a little thrill, the way he had looked at her when he had said, "I don't happen to like night club singers." A FTER she left the factory, there ■£* wasn't enough time. She had so much to do. From a tall, smudgy faced girl in slacks, she had to change into a very feminine lady of the evening in a short half hour. She was just applying the finishing touches to her hair when the doorbell rang. She called, "Just a minute!" gave herself a final scrutiny and hurried to the door. She couldn't see Dick at first, because his face was almost completely hidden behind the largest bunch of flowers she had ever seen. There were narcissus, gladioli, iris and jonquil. She gasped. "Oh!" she cried, "they're beautiful." Dick's face came out from behind the flowers. "I traded these for the bracelet," he said, unloading the flowers into her arms. Then, he made her stand very still while he walked around her. "Yes," he said, "just as I thought. You're the flower type." He smiled. "It's hard to tell where the flowers leave off and you begin." They went to the Stargazer Room, CAREFUL COOKING WILL V £ i FLOAT A H ^stMi 8ATTI.E5MIP BUDGET AND SAVE FOR WAR BONDS AND STAMPS one of Chicago's nicest hotel spots. It was the first time Ruth had seen anything quite like it, outside of the movies. At first, she felt a little selfconscious. She felt as if she didn't quite belong. It seemed so far away from Wayne, from the factory, from everything she had ever known. But the nicest thing of all was that Dick felt that she belonged there. He made her feel at home and she knew she would feel right with him anywhere. Once, while they were dancing, she giggled. He brought his face closer to hers, his eyes smiling and warm. "What amuses you, snooks?" he asked. "Snooks," she said laughing. "That makes it even funnier." She paused. For a minute she was fearful of saying what she. wanted to say. "I was just wondering," she smiled, "what you would think of me if you could see me some time at ten in the morning." He grinned. "I expect to," he said, "some day." His answer almost took her breath away. "But — that's not what I mean," she said. "I work in a factory. In slacks," she said, "and my face is always dirty. I just can't keep it clean." Dick held her a little away from him. His eyes were very serious. "You're kidding," he said. "No," she said, her heart pounding. "I'm not." Then, all at once she was a little scared and angry. "Is there anything wrong with working in a factory?" "Don't be silly," he said, but his face was still serious. "What kind of a factory is it?" "Shells," she said. "I'm a sorter." Dick didn't say any more until they got back to the table. He looked over at her, his eyes dark and moody. "You probably think I'm rather worthless." Ruth felt confused. She couldn't quite follow him. She was suddenly quite unhappy and mixed up. "What do you mean?" she asked. Dick said, "Working in a jewelry store isn't doing very much for my country. I feel kind of ashamed of myself. People like you are pretty swell. People who can do important things — work the country needs today." RUTH was astounded. Then suddenly she couldn't hold herself in, she wanted to laugh and cry all at the same time. And, she thought, I was thinking he might look down on me for working in a factory! Then, seeing the miserable expression on Dick's face, it was like a sudden dash of cold water. She felt hurt for him. She reached across the table and took his hand. Her voice was full of sympathy. "Don't worry about it," she said. Dick's face brightened temporarily. "I wanted to go in the Army," he said, "but there's my mother to support and my kid sister isn't through school yet." He turned his head away. "I'd feel better about staying out, though, if I were doing something like you're doing." Ruth smiled. "I learned," she said; "so can you." Dick was astonished. "But I don't know anything about mechanics," he said, "all I've ever been is a salesman." Ruth laughed. "And all I was before this was a bridge plaver." "Do you think I could learn something?" he asked eagerly. "Of course," Ruth cried. "You're smart. You look strong enough. Why don't you go to night school and take up electric welding? They need welders." "I will," he said. "That's a wonderful idea!" Then he looked at her for a long minute. Ruth felt herself going all hollow inside. She wanted to put her arms around him. Dick took both of her hands in his. "Ruth," he said softly, "do you mind if I say something crazy?" "No," she said. "Not if you want to." He shook his head. "It's really not crazy," he said, "I think I'm falling in love with you." "Oh," she said, under her breath. "In fact," Dick said, holding her hands very tightly, "I've fallen." "Maybe we'd better dance," Ruth said, happily. Then she laughed. "That sounded just like in the movies." Dick smiled. "Except," he said, "the hero doesn't talk to his girl about electric welding." "Maybe," Ruth said, "he should." The evening flew by. It was gone like a wink, yet, somehow, Ruth felt that she had known Dick for years and years. When they got out on the RADIO AND TELEVISION MIRROR