New Britain herald., 1925-05-27


 It stood all by itself in a Dutch silver frame on a table in one cor ner. The pictured face in 1t was broad and fore shortened. It was crowned by a swirl of blond hair It was sonya Chotek's face!
 Live bangs ot jealousy stabbed 'iloria like two-edged knives at the sight. She wondered if Stan was fin love with that face, .,. She won dered if he thought Sonya Chotek was beautiful.
 Was she beautiful? ., Gloria picked up the picture of the actress and studied 1t closely. Then she crossed the room to mirror that hung there against the wall, and looked at her own face. Under the deep coppery waves Of her hair, it smiled back at her .. vivid and sparkling.
 "Pooh!' she said aloud, T make her look like thirty cents."
 She put Sonya Chotek's picture back on the table, so that 1t faced the wall.
 It was then that the telephone in Wsyburn's bedroom rang.
 Gloria flew to 1t and unlocked the receiver.
 Hello" she said.
 The voice that answered her had foreign accent. It was a woman's voice. It was Sonya Chotek's voice, Gloria knew at once.
 "Who is this speaking, please?" 1t asked.
 Gloria didn't answer. She banged the receiver back on its hook, and turned away from the phone. Then she stopped deadstlll.
 Wayburn had come in. He was standing in the doorway between the two rooms. Of course, he must have been listening. ..
 He stared at her as If she had been a gho For the love of Mike. Where did you drop from?"
 Glorias voice was wistful wher she answered. From home, ot course Aren't you glad to sec me-"
 Wayburn ignored her question.
 Who was that on the phone jus now?" he asked harshly.
 "Oh, just some Jane who wanted to talk to you," Gloria replied, Sh' managed 10 ripple laugh at him fiippantly, as she walked past hin into the sitting-room.
 She was hurt-bewildered Wha was the matter with ,Stan7 Tn Stan who used 10 catch her hand in his, give her a look that wa like 8 caress, and call her Rus set?"
 Aren't you going to ask me L sit down, or say you're glad to Sc me. or anything:" she asked,
 She dropped Into d chair, an watched Wavburn through he lashes. He took off his oIercoat an hung it up. He lighted cigare with steady hand. He drew up chair and sat down. And not until then did he an swer her.
 Well" he said, "as a matter c fact. I'm not exactly tickled { death 10 see you, Gloria. . Wha have you done? Left your hus band?"
 Not exactly tickled to death 10 SC l her. Stan not glad 10 see her? She tried to speak but her lip would scarcely move. They wer white and drawn. i 'I suppose you'd call it that she said at last Her voice vbrate high and thin. like violin strin that has been stretched too taut. broke suddenly.
 She wanted to tell Stan ho' empty life at home had been fc her since he dropped out of he life -- how terribly she had misse him.
 But his coldncss froze her. ST couldn't tell him anything. H. voice was congealed in her throa
 Does your husband know you'l here with me?" Wayburn aske He gripped the arms Of his cha with both@ hands as he leaned fo ward, hanging upon her answer.
 Suppose he does know 1t? Wh difference would 1t make?" Gloria oice was q dull whisper. 'DiTerencc," Wayburn ehoute Tt would make 2 deuce of di ference 10 me" He began 10 das up and down the room like a cag' tiger.
 He stopped suddenly before h chair, and gIared down at her.
 Do you suppose want to
 dragged into your troubles?" asked violently. Do you suppose
 want that husband of yours to hu
 me up and shoot me, eh?-Wh could I do with you, anyway Gloria saw in flash how | mind was working. She shook wi
 cold anger that was like an Icy chi
 And when she answered Waybu , her voice came between clench teeth. She couldn't get them spa "I see what you're driving { Stan" she said. You think |
 asking you 10 take care Of me well, I may be cheap. but I'm T
 so cheap as that" Her anger broke over him su l denly like flooding waters burstii
 through a dam. 5 'Fm not such q fool as 10 expe } help from you" she cried. "Wh ! you can't take care og yourself.
 I'll bet you're still living op th s2oo you borrowed from me-"
 She could see Wayburn Vint l That had got under his skin,
 Don't worry I'll pay every r - cent of it back.' hc said. I Gloria snecred. I'll frame q. 70