New Britain herald., 1925-12-14

A tho head Of the imposing stal case, BarhGra atoDpcI and looI down at the hall below. Bob W> Ieanln- nonchalantly against r. wall han Is in pockets and nos air. fine absurd co1tt&tls struck . from his body into open space. < went down the stops.
 Hello, there" he said a1vancir 10 meet her, "Well have 10 run {. gauntlet first or last, Might as W, 10 it now, You never saw such receiving line as Lydia's draft, Como on
 Barbara fell behind slightly, ~, fixed on the coattai)s. They drifl-t with the crowd through an arch,a doorway into the long draviua room,
 A long line Of smiling men ana women wound down the room. {, the great black piano, beside whicl Wor" sheath gown of black spau EIos and her arms and ahouldr,, Gicamod against it.
 Visitors passo1 up the line, sr,', ing those in 1t with cursory aU'L ion, hurrying to reach Lydia. BaF tara saw the eyes of mtn faa',. upon the white shoulders and tr. sraNoful arms.
 "pramatic spectacle, by gosl., mu'tcred Bob. This whole Sc,u. looks like setting for q play. An. L%dta-Wow. what dress that i,. I'll toll you, clothes do make tb. woman."
 Baybara's eyes snapped. "Yo. were the young man who said could run along in my oll lclIou lrn"s and act liIs Lady We're d, N"rc.' Ton men arc all aliho---f4. hrad over heels for any woman wh. rIN ~cr0po together the right rJ- and feathers. You mafe mo sick %hs turned away from him to li,. the lArT in her eyes.
 Bob sapcd, "Why, Babs. youi moi serious? Jchosaphat. l n.,r! thought you were jealous of Ly,I.. stacy. She doesn't cross your palr."
 Jealous" Barbara was hrc3t1.. less. "How dare you use that worI 10 me? Don't speak to mo again Oh, how ] wish McDermott had hr well enough alone. Id have be-. better off without you tonight-I'n so tired and misora blc--and &o cross Her face was study iii pCtulanCe and pathOs.
 Bob vas unable to speak. H., looked at her with puzzled eye. They walked on up the endless linc. smiling mechanically at the pillar, of society who composed 1t.
 Near the heed ot the line. Bar. bara stopped for an instant eul caught her breath,
 Beside Lydia stood Bruce Re. holds, immaculate and graceful. II, was greeting her guests with urbanr cordiality.
 Barbara walked on. Bob folowei his coattails wagging as he wallej Without looking 10 right or ler Barbara saw them always.
 But in the foreground there w. Bruce, handsome, gracious, well tailored.
 At last they were there. Lydi took Barbara's hand and asked som, graceful, trivial question. Thank you so much for coming, Miss Haw. ley she whispered. I'd rather trust my party to your mercies than t1o sru p+bor psucparar ,,nrsar know. You write so cleverly."
 Barbara was handed along. Sh had had her moment. Lydia turned to the next guest.
 Barbara found her hand in Bruces. He was silent, and his eyes were grave. She looked up at him through a mist of tears.
 Hustle alonS there. Babs," said q voice at her shoulder. Were holding up traffic. You can do that Theda Bara stare somewhere else" |" His voice, intended to be confiden- tial, carried plainly, Bruce stepped back quickly.
 Bob's coattails wagged past. He led Barbara with him,
  In the conservatory some time later, there was silence Barbara was beneath a group of palms, staring al the floor. Behind her stood Bob. flicking the ashes from s cigaret stub. Neither had spoken for an hour.
 fTo Re ConttnuadN