New Britain herald., 1926-07-09

wanted 10 tell him the truth hate him! 1 h L. him!'
 She did not hate him, at all.
 The dreadful part of it was that she loved Tony Gancs-and knew it. She knew, also. that that was why she had t5ld him the truth about herself.
 That night Cassie had a date" to go to the theatre with Morley kaut- man,
 NJ rry had never seen him, but she thought he must be very good looking and lihcable because of the way Cassie made herself beautiful for him.
 Sic spent two hours curling her hair rouging and powdering her face. tr- ing G pair alter pair of car rings, and finally deciding not to wca" earrings after all If was eight o'clock before she was ready,
 Al ten o'clock she suddenly ap- peared in the dc way of the room where Merry and Jimmy were get ung uudresscd for bed.
 "I thought .ou'd gone to the thoatcr." Jimmy and Merry cNclalm- ed, together.
 Cassie shook her decorative head, and her green eyes glttered with anger.
 "Norlay didn" show up," she said, in voice that shook with rage. She soundo as if she wcre getting ready for HC.d cry.
 Hen n. get a chance to break a date with lc again, I'll bet!' she sna apped. ar. vanished into her room. locking the door behind her.
 A h.'t minute later, the telephone bell in r downstairs hall gave its sharp ing. Instantly Cassie's door flew open. and she ran down the stairs.
 "That's ,bahIy Morley, now, Merry emd h-r say eagerly.
 But a moment aftcrward she call ed up the stairs in a hopeless voice, Someone pr you Merry
 Mcrry's heart skipped q beat Was it mans yoi'c"' shr asked. halfway down the stairs as she spekc.
 CHATTER VIII
 Merry picked mp the receiver with fingers th. shook.
 Hello" she said and her voice shook, too.
 Her own wish that it might be Tony Gaines calling her was so strong that she was not at all sur rriscd when his voice came to her over the wire,
 q want 10 see you now-tonight, he said.
 Merry covered the mouthpiece ot the telephone with her hand.
 Through tbo open door of the living room she could see her father lying back in his old easy chair be- side the lamp. Her mother was no where ill sight.
 Dad" she called softly where's Moms?"
 There Was no >nsver Dad was evidently asleep.
 Wait a minute,' Merry said huskily into the telephone,
 She went into the sitting room and shook her father by his shoul- der until he opened his eyes. Start led, he blinked up al her,
 "Whcre's MomS?" Merry asked,
 "Moms?" Dad repeated vaguely. as he rubbed the back of his neck, "Oh. yes, your mother-Why, lets see, Merry -- she went over 10 Mrs. Jones' house about nine o'clock. Wanted to get recipe for cherry sunshine, or some such thing
 Merry waited for no more. She spun around and ran back 10 the hall. Shc knew that when Mons and Derrick Jones' mother settled down for an evening of gossip. Mons never came home until heaven knew when.
 "Au right" she said brealmessly into the telephone, and heard Tony Gaines echo her words.
 "An right-l1l he right oNer.'
 Dad was sitting up in his chair now. pcering out into the dark hall from over the top of his glasses.
 Merry, come in here minute, he called, just as she was turning toward the stairs. "I want 10 speak to you"
 She came to him, her feet drag gine, her body swinging detiantly,
 "Who was that on the phone just now?' he asked, jerking his head toward the hall.
 For a moment Merry stared at him with her wide innocent eyes. This was the first time in her life when Dad had pried into her af- fairs,
 Why, that was just a friend Of mine. A man l know" she answer ed airily.
 lin"
 Dad seemed 10 be thinking this over. Presently he took out his old watch and looked at it.
 "Hmm,' he repeated. Ten nm utes past ten. Isn'G that pretty late for a man 10 be calling you up?"
 Merry shrugged her shoulders and said nothing,
 'Who was the man." her father asked.
 You wouldn't know him." shC said after a minute. His name is Anthony Gaines. He's a lawyer.
 "What did he want to say to yoG at this time of night"
 Merry groaned theatrically.
 Dad, what in the world is tho matter with you?" she asked fret fully. What are you asking me . million questions for, all Of a sud den? Whats so terrible, anyway about talking 10 man on the teie phouc""
 Instead of answering her, hel ! father took her by the arm ant drew her down to the arm of hi chair.
 Mary Ann." he said quietly anr slowly. you're growing up. aren'