New Britain herald., 1925-11-23
.IM( N@YE
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CHAPTER |

side.
Outside footsteps creaked down the old wooden steps and
clicked on the sidewalk Then the gate slammed.
The steps hasty decisive with hint Of sharpness.
They did not hesitate, but went down the street until
Barbara heard them more.
At last she Strengthened her shoulders brushed hand
her forehead and started toward the stairway As
she rounded the landing clock in the distant room struck
twelve.
Her mother out of the shadows of the dining
and glanced at the closed door, Then she peered up the
stairway. There sounds from above Mrs Hawley
moved across the hail. boed the door, snapped out the
lights and climbed the stairs
Barbara sitting the bed when her mother entered
She brushing her hair with short sharp strokes of
verbacked brush and there line between her eyes.
Would YOU like cup of tea Babs asked her mother.
There is cold meat and cake in the pantry. You
didn't eat much dinner"
I'm not hungry mother" answered Barbara "But,
perhaps, the tea.
Mrs. Hawley gone almost before the words We're
out. Barbara went brushing her hair her face growing
grim every moment Then suddenly she dropped the
brush and melted into limp little heap the bed Sob
bling.
and wiped her eyes. They graybue eyes, redrmmed
and swimming She dabbed at them with hard little ball
Of wet handkerchief, and sat up very straight.
Then she slipped off to bed, thrust her feet into the satin
mules that lay waiting and crossed the room to the open
fireplace The awey house belonged to that era of the past
in which open hearths not unusual in bedrooms.
On the rug before the fire. Barbara sat down. huggng
her knees with both She stared at the fire. and
ing that it was about to OUT jabbed at it with little
brass poker
The flames shot up and frightened the Barbara
thankful for the added warmth. Her body, in the
thin silk loungng robe was shvering with that sick cold
ness which follows emotion IN sensitive women.
She stirred uneasy and glanced over her shoulder There
picture of young man in silver frame on her dress
ing table the She turned her head away from
it with jerk But the eyes seemed to be burning into her
back.
Barbara grateful for the steamng tea that her
mother brought in old tray She felt the blood rising
again in her cheeks as she sat on the rug and slipped the
fragrant liquid
as it all Babs?' asked her mother softly. Barbara
nodded, but did not speak.
After long silence, with impatient movement of her
head, she spoke. "Yes mother it's all shall
see him againor at least never speak to him again And
I'm glad of it.
He's selfish tyrant and it's lucky for discovered
it in time
But is really fna? asked Mrs Hawey her thin face
twisted in deep lines Of anxiety.
Barbara began to talk rapidly in torrent Of feeling
Yes mother it's final And he knows it, too. It's so final
that don't want to speak to him after tonight. We've
made clean break-no hang-overs regrets. Tomorrow
is the beginning of everything.
He quite impossbe-spoke his mind about my views
called me seishsaid I'd never get anywhere in pro-
fessionnO did, except old maids and monstrOsi
ties Said newspaper office was no place for woman and
all I'd get of it was hard knocks and bad reputation
Barbara stopped GREATNESS. Her eyes were blazing and
her lips quvering.
That's the od-fashioned idea said Mrs Hawey 1--WE
heard your father the thing not only about news
paper work, but about any kind Of public work for
Men just don't like it, Barbara.
And why?' cried Barbara. Because they're jealous,
that's ALL They've had things all their way in business
for so long that they can't bear to let women ill.,
"And the that aren't jealous Just plain selfish.
Take father He wanted you to have interest in life but
to cook and sweep and for him, and be hand to
bring him his slippers. And what life he led you"
Barbara stopped struck by the look Of pain in her
mothers eyes.
1t moment before Mrs. HaW'ey answered, yes"
she said, Its true that my kind of life hasn't brought
much JOY except what I've found in YOU But your fathers
idea and BuceS idea is the orthodox one YOU know You
can't upset centuries Of custom night Barbara
But mother retorted Barbara. 81 can set rules
for my life, at rate Why should Bruce try to rule
me- and lay out plans for me to give up my whole life to
him.
" don't think is so much that he wants to rule you,
it is that he hates the thought of his wife working for
money, Barbara replied her mother 1T hurts his pride
and dignity mans dignity is his most precious posses
sion. Barbara. You ought TO know that
Barbara turned her mother. "Do YOU that YOU
wish hadn't broken with him." she fared.
Mrs IIaWley shook her head. No. she said Heaven
knows I'm not wishing my kind of life for YOU I'd have
broken away myself if only I'd had your talent If thered
been anything could do well enough to money, I'd
never have stuck to the pots and pans.
with YOU it's different. want you to 60 far as your
gifts will take YOU
Barbara threw her arms around her mothers neck. %"
didn't to be cross, munSy she said But if you
didn't back up in this don't know what I'd do. J
thought You would sympathize with me-you always do"
Mrs IIawley smiled twisted smile. 81 do, Babs," she
said. I'm glad you've done what YOU did. For can't
ou with Your talents and your beauty tied forever to
mans kitchen sink and nursery, and chance to
show what YOU could have done in the world.
you're one of the few, Barbara that make go of it