Radio and television mirror (July-Dec 1941)

has been able to gain her confidence at all." Ellen hesitated. It would be difficult, she knew that, particularly difficult since Grace Gaines so obviously did not want her there. But in spite of the other woman's hostile attitude, she had stirred Ellen's sympathy. "It would mean so much to me, if you do stay," Keith Gaines went on. "I was grateful for the way you acted just now, not turning away or showing horror the way people do when they first meet her. You see, it's particularly difficult for Grace to have had this thing happen to her. She was a very beautiful woman once and now ... Of course, you've noticed the absence of mirrors here and the curtained windows. Grace insists on keeping them that way so there can't even be a chance reflection in the glass to remind her of what she used to be." All Ellen's hesitation was gone then. Keith Gaines was looking at her as if it were his own life he was pleading for. He loved his wife still, devotedly, tenderly. Ellen knew that from the gratitude in his eyes when she told him she would stay. OVER exhaustion forced Ellen to sleep that night, but there was no way to shut out the dreams which flashed across her consciousness and made her turn away from their vividness. Mostly it was Anthony, his voice low and tense, pleading. Almost she cried out once, for she was in Anthony's arms and he was kissing her goodbye. Then she was alone, far out on a barren plain bathed in milky moonlight and there were no signs to tell her in which direction she should go. Desolation swept over her. Ellen awoke and for a moment she only knew that she was in a strange room. Then realization flooded into her mind. It was true, she had really left, had really run away from Anthony and had come here to this distant city, to this dark, curtained house and had promised to nurse Grace Gaines. Because Ellen knew that every waking moment would be full of the memory of Anthony, she must force herself to welcome this new task. The pain of leaving Anthony, of fleeing from his love, of denying what was in her heart, might slowly recede before the effort to help Grace Gaines find her way back into a world of reality. But it was the hardest task Ellen had ever set herself. Miss Hethers was openly hostile and Grace Gaines accepted her with a stony reserve that Ellen could not break down, try as she would. And it wasn't long before Ellen realized why there was a need for a nurse to be in that house, for in losing her beauty, Grace Gaines had lost her desire to live, too. Ellen was there to see that she would not give into a sudden, mad impulse to take her own life. It was the day Ellen picked some zinnias and marigolds in the garden and brought them into the house that she first realized she could influence her patient. For she had come into the room and gone swiftly to the huge vase and stood there staring down at the flowers. "I don't want them here," Grace had said then. "Oh, I'm sorry, Mrs. Gaines," Ellen said quickly. "I didn't know you were allergic to flowers." "I'm not allergic to them," Grace said slowly. "It s just that . . ." JULY, 1941 She couldn't go on. And Ellen knew it was because she was ashamed to admit that loveliness even in a flower disturbed her. "But they're so beautiful," Ellen said quickly, feeling it was much better to drag the resentment into the open. "Don't you think so?" For a moment Grace looked at her, then her smile twisted in her tortured face and her hand went out and touched one of the flowers. "Yes," she whispered. She turned to go but when she reached the door she stopped and after a moment walked slowly back into the room again. "I . . . always liked to wear flowers," she said uncertainly. "Particularly camellias, those dark pink ones. Keith liked to see them in my hair. But now . . . can you imagine me with flowers?" "Yes, I can, Mrs. Gaines," Ellen said quickly. "You seem the type of woman who would fill her house with them all the time." "I used to," Grace Gaines said. Then suddenly she laughed. "It's pretty awful feeling jealous of a flower, isn't it? But I am. You knew that, didn't you?" And suddenly it was as if a bond had taken the place of the old resentment as they laughed together. IF only, Ellen thought later, she ' could break down all those dark inhibitions that had come to Grace Gaines, get her interested in things again, perfumes, clothes, all the little luxuries which mean so much to the normal woman. But she would have to go about it carefully. The next day Ellen bought herself a dress and taking it with her from the store ran up to her patient as if it was the most natural thing in the world to show it to her friend. "I saw one that would look beautiful with your hair and eyes," Ellen went on enthusiastically. "Couldn't we have the store send it out on approval and . . ." "Oh, no," Grace Gaines protested quickly. "What difference would clothes make to me? I can't bear to think of them." "I had a friend who felt that way," Ellen laughed. "But she had been eating too many chocolate eclairs and her figure was somewhere in the size forties. But you have such a lovely figure. Just the sort of one clothes look so well on. I'm afraid I would spend everything I could on clothes if I had a figure like yours. Please," she went on quickly before Grace could refuse. "You can send it back if you don't like it." Mrs. Gaines hesitated just a moment. Then she laughed. "I never knew a woman it was so difficult to say no to," she said. But Ellen knew she was really excited about something at last and when the dress was delivered the next morning and Ellen helped her put it on, she stood for a long time looking down on it, her fingers smoothing down the soft silk. And when she made no move to take it off again Ellen felt as if her battle was almost won. But that was before Miss Hethers came into the room. "Do you like it?" Grace asked eagerly. "It's well, it's rather conspicuous, isn't it?" the other woman said in her flat voice and suddenly the eager light was gone from Grace Gaines' eyes. For there was no mistaking the housekeeper's meaning, with her eyes fixed 1. Does not leave the hair unruly, dry or brittle — is comparable to 15 minutes of vigorous brushing. 2. Instantly rinses away dulling film. Brings out natural lustre. 3. Gives a tiny, glowing tint, as it rinses. Brightens natural color. 4. Golden Glint will not bleach nor harm your hair — it is a pure, odorless rinse, in (6) different shades. 5. Approved by Good Housekeeping. Mare than 40 MILLION rinses have been sold. Try Golden Glint Today GOLDEN GLINT 2 Rinses 10c 5 Rinses 23c at Cosmetic Counters FOR ALL SHADES OF HAIR STOPPED In A Jiffy Relieve itching of eczema, pimples, athlete's foot, scales, scabies, rashes and other skin troubles. Use cooling antiseptic D.D.D. Prescription. Greaseless, stainless. Soothes irritation and stops itching quickly. 35c trial bottle proves it — or money back. Ask your druggist today for D.D.D. Prescription. WITH EVERY RING WHEN ORDERED AND PAID FOR Seven Jewel Elgin Wrist Watch YOURS! New styled size 0 case. Reconstructed movement. Accuracy guaranteed. Given with every Simulated Diamond ring when ordered and paid for on our purchase privilege plan. Payments: $3.50 down, within 20 days after arrival, at your post office. Balance of $3.50 anytime within a year (total only $7.00). You pay nothing morel Extra surprise free gift enclosed for promptness. Send NO money with order. Just rush name, address, ring size. It comes by return mail in special gift box, postpaid. A. KENDALL JEWELERS Dept. WG-71 Tcpcka, Kan. NAILS AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE N1 EW! Smart, long tapering nails for everyone ICoverbroken, short, thin nails with Nu-Nails. Can be worn any length and polished anydesiredshade. Denes detection. Waterproof. Easily applied; remains firm. No effect on nail growth or cuticle. Removed at will. Set of Ten, 20c. All Sc and 10c stores. NU-NAILS FINGERNAILS 462 N. Parkside. Dept. 16-Q, Chicago 69