Spring Always Comes by Emilie Loring

Author:Emilie Loring [Loring, Emilie]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Lume Books
Published: 2019-05-16T00:00:00+00:00

Twelve

When Connie had left Jeff at the door that afternoon and returned to the apartment, she had found Lil, who had come back after her morning’s work. Lil met her with her usual warm smile

“Surprise,” she called gaily. “I’ve got an unbirthday present for you.”

“What have you been up to?” Connie was aware that Lil had worried about her comment regarding Nick the night before, that she was anxious to make amends, in case she had hurt her.

“Look,” Lil said eagerly. She opened a suitbox, removed tissue paper, held up a blue and white evening dress. “Did you ever see anything lovelier?”

“It’s exquisite,” Connie breathed, enraptured.

“Madame had it returned today. The woman who bought it has to go into mourning. It’s never been worn, and it’s your size, so —”

“For me!” Connie squealed in delight.

“I could hardly wait for you to come home,” Lil said, her face glowing. “With that hair of yours and your coloring it will be simply perfect. Come on, let’s see how it looks when you try it on.”

“But, Lil,” Connie expostulated, “where can I wear anything like this? It’s for formal occasions and I never have dates.”

“Why not?” Lil asked bluntly. “You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. You’ve got everything you need to attract simply scores of men and yet you spend all your evenings alone. I can’t figure you out, Connie.”

“There’s no mystery.”

“Once you said you were a one-man woman. I’d like to lay my hands on that one man, that’s all I have to say.”

Connie threw back her head, laughing helplessly. Then, unexpectedly, her eyes filled with tears.

“I’m sorry,” Lil said. “But, you know, I wonder if you’re right, Connie. You think you’d spoil the life of the man you love and the girl who is your best friend. I wonder, aren’t you kind of deciding for them what’s the best way of leading their lives? I mean — well, people should work it out for themselves. That is,” she stumbled on, “if your one man loves you it would be no good trying to turn him over to someone else. I mean —”

As the telephone rang, Lil picked it up, her brows arched, and she handed it to Connie.

“Miss Wyndham, this is Stephen Emery. I’ve just discovered that my box at the opera is not going to be used tonight. If I send you a ticket do you think you could make use of it? Joan Sutherland is singing Lucia di Lammermoor.”

“I’d love it,” Connie said in delight.

“Good. I’ll send a messenger with your ticket at once. I hope you enjoy the evening, Miss Wyndham.” The telephone was shut off.

“Lil! My boss is sending me a ticket for the opera tonight, just in time to wear your exquisite dress!”

Lil glowed with pleasure. Then her smile faded. “Just one ticket,” she said gloomily.

Connie laughed. “That doesn’t matter. It’s the opera that counts, not the company.”

“Maybe.” Lil didn’t sound convinced.

“What are you doing tonight?”

“Nothing.” When Connie looked surprised, Lil explained, “I was

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