New Britain herald., 1925-12-17

mott. She will make good copy out of the deal, where nobdy else could. And if she goes into 1t at all, she wil go with a blarc Of trumpets and a flourish of drums. Just sit down while l call her.
 ''Then I'll hand her over to you and you can take the story. It's yours anyhow. By the way, how was the party? Worth a good yarn?' He was rattling tho receiver hook.
 Nothing extraordinary" Barbara replied. But I can make q read. able story. either for MT. Wells or for the society column"
 McDermott interrupted her to greet Mrs Stacy over the telephone. Barbara watched him. He listened patiently for many moments, his face growing more and more pug zled.
 At last he put up the receiver and turned to Barbara. That's queer" he said. "rhe lady is cool as ice this morning. Says she has changed h [ mind about the announcement-ln fact, about the investment itself.
 She wants nothing said about her in relation to Vale Acres or the Manners company. I know she has been in close touch with them for weeks.
 "But the queerest thing is that she wants us to soft pedal the story of the party last night. Says she hates publicity and would rather We left it out altogether. But if we must print it, she begs that we will make 1t short, and not make any tio-up be- tween the visit of Gigneli and the Vale Acres business. Looks very much to me as If Lydia's sore at the Manners concern and wants to cut down on the publicity they're get ting-as spite work. Women are odd" He shook his head.
 Barbara turned to go. What shall I do about the story?" she asked.
 McDermott lifted his head from his paper. "Why, if she isn't going 10 invest, we cant say she is, of course, But about the party and Gignelli-give that what it's worth
 She's a very spiteful woman when she's angry, evidently. But that's not strange. Most women are" McDermott spoke with assurance.
 Barbara did not contest the point. She went back to the main of- flee. to find Sinbad Sullivan leaning against her desk.
 He burst into talk. This is the first time I've had the nerve to come and see you. l know you'll never have any use for me after the Lighthouse escapade. But I had to come to say l was sorry. anyhow.
 You see, when you went off and left me with that bird Jeffries intro- duced to you, I thought the evening was wrecked anyhow. and I'd just have a drink or two. When I came to. 1 was lying with my head In the chrysanthemum basket on the table, about four o'clock next morning. There had been a death in the place and everybody had cleaned out long before,
 "I felt so rotten about 1t and SO worried about what you'd think of me that I went out and got drunk CT still. Haven't been myself since. l Guess the hooch was bad stuff. New | bootlegger. You see there's no use l pretending my lips had never I touched liquor before. But l do want you to know I'm sorry you were humiliated."
 That's all right, Sinbad," replied Barbara, Tt was pretty bad. but I don't hold grudges."
 "You'll never go out with me again, tbough?" he queried. Barbara only smiled.
 Later in the day she took the red scarf from the lower desk drawer and wrapped it carefully in paper. When she went home that night, the parcel was in her coat pocket.
 (To Be Continued)