People were pretty sure she was going to marry David Schine. And who knows but she might have, save for Schine's own premature action. He made the mistake of taking out a wedding license application [he was stationed in Alaska at the time] with Piper's name on it, and Piper switched her plans- and her temper- from cool to hot. She'd been packed to go visit Schine in Alaska, but now she reversed her field and set off for Honolulu, along with her mother and father. "I don't want to marry anyone," she said for the record. "And when I do, I'd like to be present to apply for the license." This was back last spring. In August, Schine was released from the army, at about the same time Piper was released from her parents' apron strings. Or, at least released herself. She moved away from home, and took an apartment with her sister. There were those who said the older Jacobs' were disturbed by this. There were those who said Piper's folks wished her all good luck, and anything you want is all right with us, dear. In any case, Piper was a bachelor girl at last. But did she take up with bachelor boy Schine? Nope. She started being seen all over town with Gene Nelson, who was once Jane Powell's big moment. A columnist wrote that she'd observed Piper and Gene "sitting for two hours in an ice cream emporium, holding hands." This was taken as a pretty good sign by a lot of bystanders. Either the kids were crazy about each other, or neither of them had ever had sufficient ice cream. There may be a clue in a recent Piper article in a movie magazine. "A girl," wrote Piper seriously, "should take the time to understand a man." I don't know how well she and Gene Nelson understand each other, but they're certainly getting a big change finding out.