apple and a candy bar in her bag. I stared back for a few seconds and then smiled at her. She blinked and smiled back. "Thank you, Ma'm,” she said, whirled and ran down the sidewalk to join her friends. As I closed the door, I stopped as suddenly as if I'd ran into a wall. That little chip out of her front tooth that was no girl that was the boy who delivered my newspaper! I knew now that he had recognized me. Only time would tell if he would keep my secret.

Finally, the kids quit ringing my doorbell. I made a final check of my make up and dress. Everything was still in place, so I put on my hat and coat, picked up my purse and gloves and left for the party.

Just before I entered the party, I put on a small black mask so I would be 'in costume'. Only the host (my friend Jim) knew who I was. During the evening, I overheard several remarks about some people being too lazy to dress in costume for such a party. I laughed to myself— little did they know that I had put far more effort and time into getting my costume ready than most of them there. When we unmasked at midnight, they all thought I was just another girl — and their comments to that effect pleased me immensely. I hated having the evening end. I was truly enjoying my- self, but I knew that soon my Cinderella world would come to a close and I would have to turn back into a pumpkin.

The next evening I was working the yard when Jimmy delivered my newspaper (Coincidence? No.)

"Hi, Jimmy," I greeted him, "did you go 'trick or treating' last night?”

"Sure did, Mr. Alcott," he exclaimed, "and I collected a whole sack full of goodies. They would last me for at least a month.”

"Swell," I said. "You're a little early this evening, Jimmy. Would you have time for a Coke with me?"

"Gee, thanks, Mr. A.," he said eagerly, "I sure would."

I got a couple of cold cokes from the refrigerator and we sat on the porch steps drinking them.

We were almost finished when he asked, “May I say something, Mr. A?"

"Certainly, Jimmy," I replied.