New Britain herald., 1925-12-07

bud and handing 1t 10 her"
 Miss Badger sniffed. yellow is all right ill flowers" she said, but it's very hard to wear"
 Barbara made a face behind Miss Badgers back. Bob laughed back at her.
 This is the first time you have been to the Lighthouse, isn't if, Miss Hawley?" asked sinbad, still with his unaccustomed gravity. He looked to Barbara like 6 pugilist turned clergyman.
 "Yes," she smiled. "and I think it's gorgeous"
 "Oh, very we'll" Sinbad was al- most patronizing. But they are not so careful as they ought to be. Once place like this gets to running down. there's no stopping 1t. I fear this management would wink at anything, for a ten dollar bill. "till. it's the tradition to have the fall newspaper party here, and I think we'll have a good time." Barbara was seated between Bob and Sinbad. She watched the antics ot the men and listened to the smart cynicisms of the women, try ing to realize that this was the sort of thing she had always longed to be a part of--a gay, irresponsible world. in the center Of things, all knowing, all-ridiculing.
 Why so serious, little daffodil?" shouted Byers, the dramatic critic. emboldencd beyond his natural tim idity, by the lights and flowers and the faces of many friends. What do you say of Bohemia? Do you ap- prove, or shall we strike it out with one blow of our wand?"
 Its wonderful" Barbara's eyes were shining in the candle light. Bob looked at her with smiling, half-shut eyes. Miss Badger sneered.
 Course followed course, and the talk grew still brighter and still more cynical. Only Sinbad Sullivan maintained a dignified reserve. From time to time, Barbara glanced at him wonderingly.
 When the salad had been taken away, he asked her 10 dance with him, and she was surprised to find how sure and graceful his dancing steps were.
 They came back to the table, to find Bob and Miss Badger just ris- ing.
 May I have this dance, Miss Badger?" Sinbad bowed a Court of St. James bow.
 Well, he did stick to his bargain, didn't he?" commented Bob as he settled into his chair beside Bar bara, and watched Sinhad lead the society editor away.
 Where did he get these man. ners?" asked Barbara. T can hard
 ly believe he's the same big hurly
 Sinbad that comes into our office rocking with bad whiskey some times"
 Hes on his best behavior. that: all. It's in honor of you. When told him he'd have to be sober to. night for your sake, I thought h.
 was going to knock me down. He'' pretty hard hit I think" Hello, Bob Jeffries," said a voice , just behind them, Barbara looked |, up. 10 find a handsome man 0, about 35 bending over the table ant
 reaching out for Bobis hand. ,, Greetings, Jerome" replied Bob rising to meet the handshake. Mis- , Hawley let me present MT. Jerom, , Ball. Jerome and I used to be side , kicks in the army reserve camp
 But now he's a man about towI , and '1'm-well, just look at mel s Jerome Ball was staring at Bar f bara with smile playing about hi 7 lips, Barbara felt unaccountably il , at ease.
 { How do you do. Miss Hawley? ? t he said. smoothly. DO you suppos . Bob will let me have this dance 2
 Say there" exclaimed Bob, '' t haven't had a dance myself yet n But Jerome was leading Barbara ou l. on the dance floor with only a mock l, ing glance over his shoulder fol s Bob.
 D. When Barbara and Jerome whirlet k past the table next, she saw Sin
 bad Sullivan sitting moodily by ) himself. slouehed in his chair. its T really ought 10 go back to m,
 partner, Mir. Ball" she said, as th'