New Britain herald., 1925-12-14
1925 by NEA sERNlcE INC.

Snn was wiping her eyes and ataring . the carpet.
 "T}t5 won't do. l might as well get up and go. I'll have to in the end"
 Bob was playing "Boola, Roola," with two fingers, when Barbara ram" down stairs again. She tried 10 summon a smile, as he wh.rlcd around on the piano stool.
 T}ut he was too shrcwd for her. "WAat've you been crying about, Hahs@' hn asked. "Cheer ID. The tears have only made you prettier Nour cheeks are rcd
 And so is my nose" answered Barbara. But it doesn't matter, l had a if Of nerves getting home so late, and having to get ready for this party
 "I know whats the matter with YOU, kid,' he answered, You took 0otball reports all afternoon. No ,,onder you cried. That's the very hardest work in tho whole Eamo.'
 They were climbing into the old racing car, and Bob Was trying to protect Barbara's dress from tho %rcaao on the floor by wrapping the lobr tightly about her
 "It isn't going to he such a bad evening, he comtortod, After the handshallinc is over and we've taken somu mental notes ot Gignelii'S con- rcrsation and the ladies duds, welt he free 10 enjoy ourselves, They say the Riviera orchestra is going 10 be on hand for the dance music. Hoop Ia"
 Barbara did not reply,
 Bob was trying hard to be com panionable, They say this Lydia Stacy is a mistress of the Gent'e art of fascination. Been q widow for q year now. Husbant very wealthy and ndulgcnt-So much so that he dici and left Lydia all his money, just as she was beginning 10 gel tired of him. Sinbad says her latest quarry is young architocht her. poor hu; i proud young chap and all that seems to mo he's connected with ! the Vale Acres crowd ! rtrbar winced. We must b. ! getting near the house." she said They were entering a long proces- sion Of automobilcs,
 Lydia Stacy's house was ablazt with electricity. Irregular quadran. glcs of light from the many windows { patched inc slopes of snowy lawn.
 When the door opened again ant again, to admit the guests as they alightcd from their cars, snatchc' of gay music escaped, weaving through a soft babbIo of voices.
 Barbara and Bob reached the doo' in a crush Of laughing mon anr women. Everybody Who thinks h' is somebody is here tonight" whis pered Bob. ITO say nothing of th' gang Of pale cslhetcs that Lydi; keeps as hangcrs-on."
 Barbara was watching the thron' eagerly, scarcely listening to Bob words.
 "I say. Babs," he rcproachcd, "yo, certainly are giving me the cold an' icy tonight. Whats the idea"
 q guess it's those football score that finished me, Bob, I'm too tire' to be good company"
 Well, wait tlll you get on tha dance floor. We'll show 'cm what [ two-year-old dress and a siX-year old soup and fish are capable of Honestly, Barbara, you look awful! nice"
 She turned on him. Listen, Bob don't lie 10 flattcr me. know hoy | feel and l know how I look, an there's no use in trying to kid m along"
 They reached the door, and wer directed by a butler and maid | the dressing rooms upstairs. Bar bara found a throng of chatterin women removing their wraps in luxurious guest room.
 A group of them had gathere around a framed sketch of a cathe
 lral that hung on the wall. You see these all over the house." sai one woman to another, with a know ing air. Strange what an intereS Lydia has developed in architectur all of a sudden. Six months ago sh didn't know a facade from a dorme window" The TWO women move away,
 Barbara stepped closer to look c l the sketch. "B. R., said the scraw' cd signature in the corner.