So was Millie. She'd come in to catch the last scene of my act and was just standing there, enjoying it. As I flushed Millie said "I don't blame you, honey-you're a dream! If I were a little younger I'd fall in love with you, myself!"

She was so sweet! I thought of what she'd done for me and how nice she was and, for the second time I could have kissed her. So I did! She kissed me back and for a minute we were the most affectionate two girls you ever saw.

"Gosh" I said finally, "I almost forgot" and I got my purse out of my bag and paid her for the dress. "Thanks so much, doll" I smiled at her and she just smiled back. She left, then, to attend to customers and I finished fixing up, took a last, longing look and felt the way I wanted to feel like a few million bucks ready for fun!

I minced quickly through the show room to the front door. "'Bye, honey" I called softly across the crowded room to Millie as I passed and she waved as customers turned, turned back, and then turned again to look at me being carried away on Cloud Nine with lilac tinges and stuff like that.

I noticed a couple of cops outside the store. I ignored them, of course, especially since they were the same cops who'd chased me into the store. I think, however, that I may have put just a little extra swish into the scheme of things as I walked away from them. I just felt like it.

Right on cue, though, one of the cops the tall one, I'm sure- started yakking again. "Notice anything familiar, Charlie?" he asked his buddy.

"Huh?" said Charlie with his typical lightning reception.

"The bag, Charlie, the BAG-didn't we see it before?" He was so darned loud, you know. Ugh!

Charlie didn't say anything this time but I could hear them walking behind me. I couldn't have cared less. They came abreast of me and kind of surrounded me and finally I stopped because I had to. I waited.

"Pardon me, Miss, but we've got a problem" said the tall one.

"What a shame!" I said, "and you think I could help?" I was all eager concern, you know.

33