New Britain herald., 1926-07-17
THE PETER s, s, s::;:5:; i;; s:s';: s:.s' A A A@ ~ - = @~ MANI
Inc., 1919 Broadway, New York City)

"Cassiel" Merry called out te her now, Cassie. where's that let ter of mine that was lying on the hall table last night? Jimmy said she saw you looking at it!"
 This was straining the truth g bit. All Jimmy had said was that she saw Cassie sitting in the chair beside the table where the letter lay.
 But the naked truth was not very important to Merry at any time, And all that mattered to her, just now, was Tony Gaines letter.
 She was sure that Cassie had 1t,
 But Cassie shook her head in- nocently, and went on into the bathroom.
 What would I want with your Ietter?" she tossed over her shoul- der, as she bent to turn on the water in the tub.
 Merry came and stood in the doorway.
 I'm just sick about it." she said, unhappfly. Ut was from Tony Gaines. Did you know that he'd left town?"
 Cassie nodded and began to clamp waterwave combs all over her head.
 Morley told me so last night" she answered, absently. TO be honest, Merry. I'm glad he's gone I don't believe he was ever serious about you. l think that's why he left town-because he thought he was getting in too deep with you.
 Merry's eyes darkened. II don't see what you mean" she said.
 well, Tony Gaines has a lot Of money" Casae made herself plain land if he married you, he prob- ably thinks he'd be marrying be- meath him"
 "Why. we're just as good as his family!" Merry answered, flush ing. we may be poor, but were every bit as good as he is."
 "Yes. but does he think so|' asked Cassie, narrowing her keen eyes, that's what counts, after all"
 Merry thought over what she said as she went slowly down to breakfast.
 Waiting for her coffee to cool, she decided that Cassie was wrong. Tony was no snob. He was as simple and modest in all his ways as Dad had been. There was less of the show-off about him than there was to Derrick Jones.
 "When you dust this morning. I wish you'd look around for that letter again." was the last thing that Merry said to Mons when she left the house. Tt must pc somewhere in the hall. It couidn have walked away"
 Out of doors the sun was shin ing in the bluest of blue skies The leaves danced and twinkled on the trees and some boys were flying a kite in the fresh breeze of the early morning.
 But all Merry knew, as she walked along, was that her heau ached and that the sun in her eyeE blinded her.
 "I hate hot weather" she grum' bled to Lillie Dale when the tWe of them were eating their tuner at noon, in the tiny room at 'n' back of the shop. ,v
 "Me. too." agreed Lillie. I makes me perspire until every por' in my face looks as big as shei hole" She took out huge pm puff and covered her coarse shli with powder.
 Pm supposed to go dancing wit old Hot Heels tonight" she wen on brushing some crumbs fron her lap. so
 Hot Heels" was her name TO the admirer who took her out dinner once or twice a week. oh never spoke of him by any otne name. and Merry had strong SUE nicion that he was a married mar
 But I'm so ragged out With th heat that I guess I'll go home III stead" she sighed. "I'1l tell hir I'm going out with somebody eis' It's just as well to make ma jealous once in while
 Ut all depends On the man. answered Merry thinking of Ton Gaines.
 She got up and walked to tn front of the shop. In the miro that hung above the manicur table her own face stared back her with somber eyes. Her mout turned down at the corners an there was a strained line betwee her eyebrows.
 No one would have thought ,nic!lnaming her Merry" now. 8 she stood staring at her reflection her hands locked ol the glass cas where Lillie kept her cosmetic Her whole figure sagged hope lessly.
 It was about two that afternoo when Mons telephoned the beaut shop.
 "A special delivery letter ju' came for you" she said, and Merr gave a hoarse little gasp. Do, yo want me to open it and read 1t you over the phone?"
 "N-No. indeed" Merry answere shakily. "Tll be right home to gt it myselfn
 Her feet fairly danced as sh hurried back to the booth wher Lillie was giving one of her mil packs for tired faces"
 I've got to go home for a fe' minutes" she whispered, callin her to one side. T won't be gon long"
 "AlI right" Lillie answered, an she scowled with displeasure.
 But Merry was too filled wit sudden happiness to see the scow or even care If Lillie scowled What was a whole world of Lillie compared to one letter from Ton! Gaines?
 She was sure that the letter wa,