I low that elrl hud crown and "Im
proved" during these live years tha
Roger hadn't seen her! Why. she had
developed Into a positive little pcatni
What a sensation she would mal.J at
one of the club dances!
Sho hadn't forgotten about their old
days together, either recalled lots oi
little childish intimacies that hid
slipped even Roger's memory. Why,
those fuzzy little tendrils of hair curl
ing at the nape of her neck were posi
tively adorable! Yes. and those
liquid, mischievous eyes of hers
Deuce lake It! what was that elusive
scent she used? Did it come from that
fluffy hair, or the gown, or
Roger was in the midst of lelllng
her about his resolution to eternal
bachelordom. He had intended to do
it humorously. eniBiammatlcally But
the warm, physical proximity of th3
girl was an Indubitably permeating
thing went to one's head and that
little-pink-nailed, soft hand lying pas
sive so near to his was
"So when I got up and remembered
that today is New Year's and my for
tieth birthday, I said to myself"
"Yes, Roger," oh, the Btibtle
amused, encouragement of that Intleo
tlon. It piqued him strangely.
"I said to myself that"
"Yes, Roger "
The man stared at her confusedly
and all at once was accusingly con
scious that, somehow or other, that
soft, warm little hand of her was nest
ling comfortably within his own trem
ulous grip..
