New Britain herald., 1925-06-02

feyor right nowl" N IL was true, Poor Miss Briggs had flushed 10 deep, pnbecomihs red under Glorias words. s.sy
 She looked as If sho wished that the earth would open and swallow her sups. And, as it matter of fact. Miss Briggs was deyoutly wishing herself. ort of that little restaurapt.
 She had come, there that night alone, when Dick had asked her so work late. Five minutes after she had begun to cat, Dick, himself, had walked In. It.would have been queer if he had not sat down to share her lonely meal. A friend could do no less, could he?
 Miss Briggs wished now that Dick would explain the whole thing to his wife. But she knew, he wouldn't. She could see that he was going to let Gloria think anything she wanted to think.
 And what Gloria evidently thought was that Dick had taken Miss Briggs out 10 dinner ~. to show her good time" t%
 Miss Briggs drew a breath fire lief when Gloria turned her shonl- der upon her, and began to. talk to Dick. ..,...4.r .v ,s,. 4 By the way, dear" she said with sugary sweetness. T forgot to ask you if your mothers bettcr Did her trip with you do her good"
 She's much better" Dick an- swered He was puzzled. He knew that the very last person on earth that Gloria cared 10 hear about was his mother. He knew that Gloria detested his mother. .. What game was his wife up to, now, he wondered. .....
 He soon found out. Gloria went on talking to him about things, that didn't matter 10 her or to him. either, She kept up a flow of fool ish chatter. She spun it out until the meal was almost over. -,.r
 She did her best to shut Miss Briggs out Of the talk. She snubbed her. She talked in a half-whisper so low that Miss Briggs couldn't have caught a word if she had tried.
 Dick saw the rude and cruel thing that Gloria was doing. And he came to Miss Briggs rescue just as he would have resc1ed mouse that cat was torturing. if
 He leaned across the table to- ward her. Deliberately he tried to draw her into the conversation.
 What did Smithers want to see me about today, susy?" he asked gently.
 About that Parmely injunction case" Miss Briggs answered with lips that trembled. She fumbled in her purse and pulled out a $2 bill. She laid 1t on the tablecloth.
 That's to pay for my dinner" she said. "and think I'll ll1eave you people now, and get back to my work. .. Goodnight, Mrs. Greg ory." - F.. It cost Miss Briggs an effort to bid Gloria goodnight. And Gloria knew it. .st
 Good night, Miss Briggs" she said airily.
 She smiled, with narrowed eyes. She knew she had spoiled Miss Briggs dinner. And she was glad of it! She'd show Dicks secretary that she couldn't go dining arouf1d with him, and get away withs it! She'd 4how her a trick oFtwo werth knoWihgI ! 7 a s >.S
 Miss Briggs got up to go. Dick rose with her. .'u
 T wish you wouldn't rush off like this susy" he said, -'see you later, though. Get together the data on that injunction case, will youT
 Wordlessly Miss Briggs nodded. She walked ou of the little sres- taurant jcrkily, as fl she were pulled by unseen wires.
 Gloria watched her go, with an amused srailf. Then she turned furiously to Dick.
 "So," she cried. This is why you didn't want me to. come downtown to eat with you! This is why you don't want to kiss me any more! ;. see 1t all, now! How long has this affair with Miss. Briggs been going on. for goodness sakc%'f
 Affair witlf Miss Briggs?" Dick repeated quietly. q don't knoY what you're talking about. Do you know, yourself?"'
 Gloria stared at him,
 Do you mean to say you don't know Susan Briggs is cuckoo about you?" she asked. It would be just like Dick not to be able to see it! You ought to know it." she went on. she doesn't take the trouble 10 hide the fact that she's gone on you. You've only got to look at her to know" ........