Radio-TV mirror (July-Dec 1952)

strong and urgent, let it come out! The good old purging system, maybe that's the way to draw the teeth of the past! Sit down and close your eyes and just let it come . . . and maybe, who knows, you'll feel completely cleansed and renewed when you open them again. I took a basket of mending out, in case Bill or one of the family surprised me. But in the leafy shadow of the tree the basket lay idle on my lap. I felt as though I were keeping a date with destiny . . . I'd known all along that one day I'd come out here and sit down by myself and have it all out. . . . Some thinss I wouldn't remember. I knew that. They'd been too dreadful, too painful; they just wouldn't come back. But maybe just the things that swam naturally to the surface would be enough. If I was harboring any lingering resentment or criticism of Bill, maybe this was the way to get rid of it. I looked my fill at the Springdale midmorning, and then almost without volition my eyelids drooped and images began to form, swimming slowly into the foreground. Letters. The tall black screaming letters of a newspaper headline: Roberts' Wile Repeats Husband Innocent As Trial Opens. And below it a picture of Bill, worn and hollow-eyed, with me beside him and slightly in front of him, looking as though I'd like to throw my arms out and keep the world from coming a step closer. My stomach tightened up in that familiar knot, and I shivered and opened my eyes. For a minute, I was sun-blinded. Then the leaves trembling overhead, the white fence edging our lawn, the sight of a fat, greedy robin stabbing at his mid-morning lunch, brought me back to reality. It was over, over, over. New York and the whole ghastly episode were behind us. I could stop throwing my arms out to protect Bill from the accusing world ... I gasped, and the robin lifted its head and flew away. What a queer thing to come into my mind, that I'd been protecting Bill. And that I could stop doing it now. Did that mean I was tired of it, resentful of it? Was that what was bothering me? Or was it still Blanche Weatherby I resented even after all that had happened . . . still the fact that there had been another woman in our lives that made me feel this curious inability to go all the way toward Bill. . . ? . I closed my eyes again, and the pictures came back. That spring — how long ago, two years, three?— when Bill first showed his restlessness. Dr. Jim, my stepfather, had offered him a wonderful iob as press relations man for the new Springdale hospital, and none of us could understand why he didn't jump at it. Then I found out it was New York he was hankering after ... the big city, the bigger opportunities. I was ashamed of my misgivings, so I never tried to impress them on Bill— my own fear of the city's size and complexity and excitement. "I'll get used to it," I told Mother with assumed confidence, and she always answered, "Well, of course you will, Rosemary, and it will be so wonderful for Bill's career." But the anxious look she gave me always belied her words. Mother knew I was hoping hard that the big New York job Bill went to see about wouldn't work out. And I think she was the only one who knew how really scared I was when suddenly, it did, and Bill set off for New York in high excitement, eager to get started, insisting that I follow him just as soon as I could tie up all the loose Springdale ends and get away. I suppose those Springdale details seemed terribly unimportant to him, with all that lay ahead beckoning him on so brilliantly To rent our house, to settle about the furniture, to cancel the phone and the milk and the gas and light services . . . could anything have been more trivial to a bright young advertising man with a big new job at one of the most important agencies in the East? I didn't even try to tell him that part of the reason I lingered was that I hated to say goodbye to Springdale. The wide, tree-bordered streets, the friendly, freshlooking houses, the gentle pace of it . . . I kept stalling, writing him that one more week would see me finished and on my way. One more week would get my wardrobe into shape, and then one more week again because Mother wasn't altogether well and I didn't want to leave Patti and Jessie responsible, because they were really so young. Mother began to get on my nerves then, because she kept insisting my place was with Bill. Particularly after that jubilant letter from him that said he'd found an apartment. "And what an apartment, Rosemary! An out-of-towner's dream of the big city! Miles up, a penthouse, with all the works ... I'd never have found it— as a matter of fact I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever find anything! — if good old D. W. hadn't come through." D. W. was Bill's boss, Mr. Wilson. "It's his daughter's, and she's just coming back from a divorce in Mexico or Reno or someplace and wants no part of it. so D. W. worked it out so we can sublet it from her, and wait till you hear the rent. The whole thing is so fantastic it just doesn't happen in New York these days, with the way housing is, but it has happened to us. Isn't that an omen, darling? Hurry up and get here, I can't wait to show you the view from the Roberts penthouse. . . ." It left me with almost no excuse for delay. I carried it around for a whole day, I remembered now, before I showed it to Mother, because I knew what she'd say. "Of course it's an omen," she echoed Bill's letter. "Now you hurry up, Rosemary, and the girls will come over and help you pack. You're missing all the fun of beginning a new adventure at Bill's side, darling, where you belong!" I knew I was being childish. I should have written back that I was coming at once. But I phrased it more carefully; I just couldn't pin myself down. And very shortly afterwards came Bill's next letter, which said: "Probably you're right; there's no real rush. It's a big step, coming from a httle place like Springdale into this madhouse. I love it, but I can understand your wanting to take it a bit more slowly. Don't let me push you, darling. But come soon!" Was it the same letter, or the one after, that said, "Found a cleaning woman, with Blanche's help. You know, it's a funny thing how wrong you can be about a person you're close to. Take D. W. and the stuff he fed me about his daughter— you know, the one whose apartment we have. I got the feeling she was one of these skinny, jumpy, neurotic women, always on the go, always partying and drinking and carrying on generally . . . and what turns up? Honestly, Rosemary, one of the nicest gals you could meet. ... Of course, she is a bit on the jumpy side; so would anyone be with the kind of marriage she's just gotten out of. But the kid's plain lonely, and trying not to show the world how miserable she's been — now wouldn't you think her own father would be able to understand that? She knows her way around this town like a taxi driver. She's been a big help." Now as I sat, months and months later, in my sun-drenched garden, I could feel my heart hammering, memory flooding f OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYBODY For advertisers! Write to Publishers Classified Dept., 9 S. Clinton St., Chicago 6. (Nov. Women) AGENTS WANTED BUY WHOLESALE — 25.000 items— Catalogue 25c Matthews. I472-K2 Broadway. N.Y.C. 36. NEED EXTRA CASH? Get it selling Blairs' unusual line of household and food products. Every housewife a prospect. .Send for samples Free. Write Blair Dent 185HX, Lynchburg. Va. NYLONS. COMMISSIONS, 1007« Bonus. Essential Products Co,. 210 Fifth Avenue. New York 10. WOMEN! MEN! MAKE extra money in your spare time. No house-to-house canvassing required. New Car given as bonus. Amazing nylons guaranteed as long as 9 months depending on quantity, against runs, snags. holes, or replaced free. Rush name and hose size for simple money making plan. Lowell Wilkin. A-442 11 Wash Greenfield, Ohio. ~ CONTESTS WIN CONTEST MONEY! National Contest Bulletin gives many tips. Lists Current Contests, Rules. Qualifier source, etc. Sample 25fi. National Contests 1211PW Brydon, Columbus 5, Ohio. JEWELRY BIG MONEY MAKING Costume Jewelry EasyInteresting. 5000 Designs. Instructions. Catalog — 10c Barry's. 123 Ardsley Court. Newark, N. J. OLD GOLD & JEWELRY WANTED HIGHEST PRICES PAID for old gold, silver, platinum, diamonds, watches, gold teeth. Cash immediately Goods returned if offer unsatisfactory. United Smelting Works, (The Old Reliable). 39-P South State, Chl cago 3. HIGHEST CASH PAID for Old, Broken Jewelry, Gold Teeth, Watches, Diamonds, Silverware, Spectacles. Free information. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Rose Smelting Company, 29-DD East Madison, Chicago. OLD COINS WANTED WE PURCHASE INDIANHEAD pennies. Complete alleoin catalogue 20£. Magnacoins, Box 61-AT. Whitestone 57. New York. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS ELECTRIC GUITARS, ACCORDIONS, amplifiers' wholesale. Free catalog. Carvins. Baldwin Park. Calif! HOME SEWERS S30 WEEKLY POSSIBLE sewing neckties. You make them.W escll them. Write Toni Ties. North St. Paul. Minn. BUSINESS & MONEY-MAKING OPPORTUNITIES MAKE MONEY ADDRESSING Envelopes! Our information reveals how. Only 30fi. Business P O Box 2224. St. Louis. Mo. EARN EXTRA MONEY Weekly mailing circulars for advertisers. Complete instructions — 2oi. Siwaslian 4317-F Gleanc Street. Ehuhurst 73. N.Y. PHOTO FINISHING FILM DEVELOPED. N enlarged prints — 25<i. (Trial) Willard's. Box 3535F. Cleveland, Ohio. FILMS — s ENLARGED prints in albums 50<!. Finest quality. Rapid Service. Camera, 16 E. Gay Street West Chester. Penna. EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES PRACTICAL NURSING— LEARN Easily at Home Spare Time. Big demand, good earnings. High School not necessary. Write for free facts. Wavne School Dept. AW-I. 2525 Sheffield, Clucago 14. 111. COMPLETE YOUR HIGH School at home in spare time with .,.>-year-old school. Texts furnished No classes. Diploma. Information booklet free American School. Dipt. X.S74. Drexel at 58th. Chicago 37. III. MAKE UP TO S55 Week as a Practical Nurse. Learn quickly at home. Booklet free. Cliicago School of Nursing Dipt. I'W-n Chicago. "' ARTIFICIAL EYES ARTIFICIAL HUMAN I you from world's largest. Inn and all-plastic unbreakable e and color chart. Establlsed pany. 1 Hi3 University lildg. 3 — Assortment mailed election imported glass Write for free booklet . Denver Optic Comnver 2. Colorado. OF INTEREST TO WOMEN A .\ •> i i.\ I. CAN sell Hoover DuPont Nvlon Uniforms for beauty shops, waitresses, doctors, nurses others In white and colors. Exclusive styles. Top quality Lowpriced. Exceptional income. Real future. Equipment free Write fully. Hoover. Dept. G-119. New York 11. N.Y' ASTROLOGY GUIDE 10c. Send Coin. Give Blrthdate Boco, Dept, 103, Box 73». Kansas City. Missouri RIBBONS! BARGAIN! 70 yards SI. New. Rolls. 1' ree Catalog. \\ otring Co.. Catasaun.ua 90. Penna. MAKE MONEY ADDRESSING envelopes Our instructions reveal How. Paul Glenway, 5713 Euclid Cleveland 3. Ohio. OUTDOOR TOILETS. CESSPOOLS, Septic Tanks cleaned, deodorized, with amazing new product. Just mix dry powder with water: pour into toilet. Safe, no poisons Save digging, pumping costs. Postcard brings free details Hiir-on I aii'M-atniies. Dept. .l-'Mi. Chicago 22. Illinois 1-1. RS( INALIZE— DECORATE GLASSWARE. Etch designs and monograms easily and safely in three minutes with Etchall. Send SI. 00 for trial kit. Etchall Inc Columbia S, Missouri. DEFINITELY PROFITABLE HOME business. Make clever, fast-selling, chenille monkey trees. Literature free Vclva. Bohemia 32. N.Y. FEMALE HELP LADIES— ADDRESS POSTCARDS at home, in your spare time. S40 a week possible. Write Hood's. Kannapolis 4. X.C. (Em-lose stamped, addressed envelope ) MAKE MONEY INTRODUCING world's cutest children's dresses. Big selection, adorable styles. Low prices. Complete display free. Rush name. Harford Dept. H-43.V.I, Cincinnati 25. O. ' SELL FINEST NYLON hosiery Guaranteed against everything, snags, runs, holes. Demonstration kit Free to you with actual sample stocking. American Mills Dept. M-35. Indianapolis. ABSOLUTELY FREE! BIG package actual sample fabrics and style presentation of dresses, lingerie hosiery R etc. Take orders. Commissions big. Send no money Mel yilli Co.. Dept. 7630, Cincinnati 25. Ohio. M "FOG-STOP" WINDSHIELD CLOTH. Instantly removes blurry Mist, Frost, Sleet. Snow, stops windshield fogging. Samples Sent on trial. KRISTEE 314. Akron. O. 93