New Britain herald., 1926-01-23


 cd him resoundingly.
 Have a heart, Fancy" he said. struggling 10 rescue his packages, There's dozen eggs somewhere In this mess"
 Here 1t is" shrickcd Fancy, grasping n sack which was begin hing 10 show signs Of sticklncss, Shc ran into the kitchen with tho cggs, leaving Barbara and Jerome standing awkwardly facing each other.
 Jerome was the first to speak, Glad to see you. Babs. Where on earth did Fancy find you?"
 Barbara spoke naturally. "We found each other at a flower stang on tho avenue. Fancy didn't know was in New York, she says"
 "No, neither Of us did, If We had, we'd have looked you up long ago, Barbara. Where are you living? You're not married, are you?" He danced at her left hand
 Barbara shook her head, "Im liz lng in the Village among the freaks, But it's lots of fun if you pick your 1 friends carefully"
 Fancy came back, her arms full of table linen. Jerome. you set the i table while Barbara comes out and 1 talks to me. don't like to be out there all alone"
 , Jerome took the cloth and nap : kins from her. Barbara watched him aS he cleared the gate-leg table and began to lay the cloth. The circles were gone from around his eyes and his mouth seemed firmcr. He ; laid the cloth with scrupulous care, tipping his head on one side to make sure that tho crease was In the middle.
 1 Suddenly he looked up and caught Barbara smiling. Pretty funny, l guess You'd never have thought 1t of me, would you, Bahs? But I'm a changed man. l help make the bods and empty my own ash tray and lay the table and come home carly. I'm as tame as any fircside kitten, and Fancy rules me with hand of iron. '' He griuned and Barbara laughed outright
 Dinner lasted for two hours. Bar barA watched Fancy as she brought in the courses. The girl still held her childish looks, but with dignity and an assurance that were new.
 They sat over the coffee cups until the drive beyond the windows was quite dark. ard lights on the Jersey shore were coming out in little clus' ters against the hills.
 A man-of-war in the river saluted some vessel husliily, and the whistle echoed across the water lingeringly Fancy jumped up and ran to pull the cvurt 5linS aside. Jerome sat pui. fling q cigaret and looking at her.
 Barbara glanced around the room with it's soft lights and its comfort able chairs, and then at the pretty girl standing by the window. A soft breeze ruffled Tancys hair ant played with the window draperios
 Jtl bIlc DtGdu IO lilh Ol ptOIi; and events in New Britain. Bar bara responded eagerly, She had hac no direct news from home in many months. except the scanty items tha crcpt into MCDermott's short, busi ncss-like letters.
 DO you ever see Bob?" he asked after a while. Hes on some papel
 here, you know"
 Barbara looked at the tablecloth "I have seen him once or twice. Bu
 we're both pretty busy. And hei
 engaged. you know"
 Jerome looked surprised, Not olt
 Rob Jeffries? He used to be tn,
 world champion love dodger. O
 rather. he used to vie with me 10
 the honor" Jerome glanced towart
 Fancy. She turned around. smiling
 And now just look at me-" h. added.
 You all tumble" said Barbara
 almost impatiently. i've not beel
 able to count on one of you" 3 But see how happy we are, Babs 6 Why dodge happiness?" Fanc t spoke earnestly. Even Jerome an ] are getting along beautifully, con . trary to everybody's expectation. - We fooled 'em all"
 ,. It was the first reference to tn y elopement Jerome moved uneasil Il and change the subject. None ( . them cared to pursue the discussio ?, of the runaway marriage. s The talk veered back to New Brit
 ain folk. Barbara asked many aues t tions. At last she said, almost to e casually, What ever became of th n young architect that was mixed u e with the Vale Acres scandal?" y "oh, you mean Reynolds?" Je 1T rome replied. Why. he started or d in business for himself. Said he e clear his name if 1t took the re: s of his life to do 1t haven't hear n how he came out Probably mad y flop. You can't live down thin t like that Makes no difference thG 10 the court did acquit him. The worl Il in general. in its amiable way. wi y 90 on casting the suspicious eye { W him. There's something in huma sr nature that makes it eager to b.
 lieve the worst in all cases Dar o tough on an innocent party" B. Barbara could not trust herse l. to speak for 6 moment The ligh of in the room seemed suddenly to fad Ie and the breeze from the windo n blew chill. She looked at her watc' a ''It's nearly eleven. I must ! B. going, It's long trip down to B. al heniia. I'll run out ana catch a cs Il on the drive"
 le 'I'll get one for you" said Jerona It going to the door.
 le When Barbara came out with h n wraps on. he was waiting to tai or her to the taxi. Please come aga as soon. Babs." cried Fancy, hAngil ae on Barbara's arm. Its been sut Ill fun having you"
 pe Barbara looked around the horA DO like room. "I'll come when l can kkA l.