Radio and television mirror (Jan-June 1941)

tured. "I — that is — you will help me, won't you?" "Certainly, I'll help you," Kay said. "I don't imagine you'll need much help, though, once you get the hang of it." Peg smiled a little sheepishly. Then, "Kay—" "Yes, Peg?" "I — I'm sorry about last night," she said. "Let's forget it, shall we?" Kay smiled. Peg blushed and nodded. ALL day, Kay was excited, more so than Peg, perhaps because she had more at stake than the girl. It seemed to her that her whole future, all her hopes and dreams, depended on Peg's success. Even when she made out the sizable check for their Country Club membership dues, she did it without her usual qualms. For once, she felt that belonging to the Country Club wasn't an extravagance. It was worth a bit of scrimping, if it helped Peg with her job. In the evening, as she dressed for the dance, she felt pleasantly gay and festive. She brushed her dark hair until it glinted with life. V The excitement had given her dark eyes a depth and glow and brought a delicate flush to her cheeks and lips, making them far more attractive than any cosmetics ever could. Pulling on her new gown, she noted with satisfaction how supple and graceful her figure was and she realized with a start that she hadn't even looked at herself properly for months. She smiled at her reflection in the long mirror. It was good to feel feminine and desirable again. Just as she was pinning a spray of lilies-of-the-valley in her hair, John came into her dressing room to have his tie fixed. He stared at her for a moment and there came into his eyes a look that had been missing from them for a long time, a look of possessiveness and pride, a warm, intimate look, that sent her heart skipping. And they both forgot all about his tie, for the next ten minutes. Peg, looking girlish and extremely unready for work in a frilly, tulle dress that made her look as though she'd been caught in a scoop of foam, went to the dance with them. This was the first time since Kay had come to Walnut Grove that the girl had gone out anywhere with her and John, and it made her very happy. And when they entered the Country Club and John leaned close to her and whispered, "Their eyes are popping, darling, but I love you, even if you are beautiful," Kay felt as though she were back in Chicago and it was before John had asked her to marry him. It was all silly and wonderful and she loved every bit of it. They had barely settled down at a ringside table, when a young man dressed in a business suit and carrying a camera and lights came toward them. "Miss Fairchild," he said to Peg. "I'm Jim Shannon. Mr. Clayton sent me over to take pictures." Peg introduced him. "This is my father and: — mother," she said. It was the first time she had ever called Kay her mother and she did it a little awkwardly. Jim Shannon eyed Kay a bit curiously. "Say," he said, "Mr. Clayton said something about your being Kay Harriman from Chicago. That right?" "Yes," Peg put in boastfully. "She was a pretty good newspaper woman, ther,e." "Pretty good!" Jim Shannon exclaimed. "Lady," he turned to Kay, ■ To have John close to her like this, to know that she could depend on his love and trust — "you were a little god — I mean goddess to us at school. That was some series you did on the rackets." "Thanks," Kay said with a smile. Later, when Peg and young Shannon had gathered up his photographic paraphernalia and gone to the other side of the room, Kay turned to John. "Let's dance, darling," she said. "We haven't danced together since I've been here." "That's right, we haven't," John said and led her to the dance floor. "Remind me to do this more often," he added as he put his arm around her. "I like it." "You should," Kay smiled up at him. "You're one of the best dancers I ever met." "That's not what I was talking about," John whispered, his lips brushing her ear. For a few minutes, Kay lost herself in his arms, letting him guide her smoothly around the dance floor. She closed her eyes, shutting out everything but the flow of the music and the gentle pressure of John's arm. She was terribly conscious of John's nearness and as they moved about in perfect unison, she felt as though she were melting into him, becoming a part of him. The tempo of the music changed and startled Kay out of her dream. She opened her eyes. They were gliding past Peg and Jim Shannon taking a picture of Eleanor Clark's party. It was Eleanor's behavior that caught Kay's eye. The girl was fairly bristling with charm and vivacity as she stood close to Jim Shannon and smiled up into his eyes. For a second, Kay was amazed by the sight. Then, the reason for it occurred to her. "Oh-oh," she said to John. "Peg's in for trouble." John glanced back without interrupting his step. "Peg? Oh, you mean the young man. Nonsense. She just met him." "Yes," Kay answered. "But apparently Eleanor doesn't know that. Look at her." John darted another glance at the young people. "Now, look here," he said. "We're here to have a good time. Forget you're a mother, for a change. Peg and Eleanor have been the best friends and the bitterest rivals since they were kids. Peg can take care of herself. Come on," and he whirled her about so she couldn't see them any longer. The orchestra finished .the set and the dancers had begun to straggle back to their tables, when suddenly a low, vibrant voice arrested Kay and John. "Why, John Fairchild," it said. "How nice (Continued on page 68) 7ADIO AND TELEVISION MIRROR