New Britain herald., 1925-12-09

some women aren't liko this girl of yours.' Bruce did not see the gleam of malice in Violotta's eyes.
 "No-thoy'rc not" he agreed, hot ly. Some of them really love" He broke off in embarra ssment. But what idiots we are, to sit here in the wee small hours, talking a lot of silly bunk
 Tioletta answered him eagerly. But it ism bunk. Sometimes il helps lots just to talk about your troubles. l says to myself. the first time I saw you--Thcre's q gent with T secret sorrow. And I wished like anything that l could help you"
 Bruce turned That vas nice of you 10 bother about me, but really, Miss Cranby I'm afraid it isn't worth il. I guess I'll always be q hungler, where women are con cerned. I'm made that way" He l tried 10 smil".
 Eioletta turned her great, shadowy eyes toward him. How can you gay i that, Mr.--why. I don't believe i even know your namc,'
 "Rcynolds," said Bruce, T thought 1 you knew"
 No, I told you mine that day you i hung the picture for mo, but you didn't tell me yours, and I didn't like to ask. But knew wed be good friends"
 Bruce smiled rather absently. Its good of you to say so. But ] mustn't keep you sitting here. It must be nearly three o'clock"
 The girl moved closer. But l want 10 talk to you. cant sleep. I'm not happy either. Had a lot of trouble in my time. But I've almost got through the woods now. I'm not in love with anybody any more. So I'm not so miserable as l was. But I'm lonely. Nobody in this whole town to talk to- Most of the james that work at Campbcll's aren't my r)ass-not that 1 feel stuck up-bnt you know how it is. A girls got to be careful"
 Bruce sat moodily staring into the shadows Of the hall. Niolctta looked at him. Detachment was still strongly written on his face.
 Suddenly she put her face ins her arms and began to cry silently, Her shoulders shook She brought out a wisp of a silk handkerchief. IL was some moments before Bruce saw that she was weeping. He sat lost i'll his own troubles.
 why, Miss Cranby," he said
 bending over her don't cry like
 that. Please don't" And then, as the
 sobs shook her body still more Nio- lcntly-"Is there anything l car do?"
 She shook her head, without lift, ing her face. There's nothing any. body can do," she whimpcrcd. 'l wish l was dead, that's all. And f won't tell you anything more about it. l wish I was dead" Bruce looked at her helplesSly. A last he brought out a fresh folded handkerchief and proffered l. il place of the tiny silk one.
 "IIl tell you," he said at last
 "You've got the blues from sticking
 around this old boarding house
 We'll have to get together some Sun
 day and go out to Stony Point ol
 take a hike over toward Shuttle Mea dow. You need to get outdoors more, and I do too."
 Violetta lifted her head. but mo- too eagerly. Her eyes were dry , That would be swell" she ex claimed. But why couldn't we gt r to a show or out to the park?" Anything you like" replied , Bruce. But now you'd better go tt 7 bed. Wen plan this Sunday part! 1 in a day or two. And promise m , YOU won't cry like that again. l S really doesn't pay, you kRGw. M Q love affair is worth all that, " Violetta smiled, barring whit n teeth. "Au right" she said. "Mayb r it won't be so bad, if there's some g body 10 talk to sometimes. hav A been so lonely l thought I'd bust r He helped her to her feet an
 went up the stairs with his arr ) through hers. At her door they sal
 good night.
 s Inside his room, Bruce crossed |
 the window and stared out at th