A STORMY NIGHT

FICTION

Amelia Allyte-TX

Even though the rain was coming down in sheets, I thought the weather was fine. In fact, everything about the evening was wonderful for me. I was on my way to pick up Lucille Raynes for our first date.

Lucille had recently come to work in our office, and I guess for me it was love at first sight. She's a tall girl, about my height, five, ten and with a figure to match. Smooth skin, athletically tanned, portrayed a perfect picture of the idealized outdoor type. We had coffee together a few times, but only recently had I gathered up the courage to ask her for a date. To my surprise and delight, she acquiesced almost im- mediately. And tonight was the night!

Boring my way through the rain-soaked streets, I was busily rehearsing the itinerary for the evening. We had agreed upon dinner and the theater, but I was hoping to convince her to stop for a nightcap after the show and maybe we could have a chance to talk and do a little dancing.

She lived alone in a house on the edge of town. Apparently her folks had retired to Florida. Rather than move into an apartment, she elected to stay in the family home. She claimed she enjoyed the com- fort and room that one couldn't get in an apartment.

I had to watch closely to make sure my directions were right but finally found the place. The house was set apart from its neighbors and located back from the street among a copse of large trees. Reaching the end of the driveway, I got out and made a dash for the door.

Clad in a housecoat, she answered my ring almost immediately. "I'm sorry to be late but the power went off and they just got it back

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