New Britain herald., 1926-08-14

dumped Muriel at her house. I'm coming over to see you, If you don't mind, for a half-second. Want to talk to you"
 Merry, still in her outdoor gar ments, went out onto the porch to wait for him.
 There was something she wanted to ask him herself and she did not want anyone to hear either her question or his answer
 It was getting dark when his car came hurdling into the street. Cab by drove like a speed king. He was a daredevil with an automobile, Muriel Kaufman.
 Merry went down the front walk to meet him. The soft dusk made 1 her eyes shadowy, and it wiped out any of the hard little lines that were beginning to show themselves at the corners of her marvellous sea-green eyes. She had never looked moro al- luringly lovely to C2bby Marsh, who secretly thought her the prettiest girl he had ever seen. Beautiful but dumb" was the way Cabby summed her up in his own mind.
 He opened the door of his car, and his teeth gleamed in the twi- light as he grinned.
 Well. now we can go on with our drive, can't we?" he asked with laugh. Hop in
 For only an instant Merry hesi- tated. Then she jumped into the roadster. Why not? She always had a beautiful time when she went anywhere with Cabby. And beautiful times did not come her way so often as they once did! When they were half way down. town, she suddenly remembered that a dun-colored person named George Leet was coming to call on her that night. For an instant she thought of turning back. But only for an in- stant.
 She could go out with George Leet any night in the week! And l besides, there was nothing so de- | lightful in the thought of seeing q movie with George, or of talking to him two or three hours in the shab- | by sitting room at home. She snuggled up against Cabby with soft little laugh.
 "The last time l was out with you, Cookie Boy" she said to him in her light, sweet little voice that was music to his ears after MuriePs shrillness, "you bought me violets. Do you remember?" | "Ill buy you violets now If there's florists shop open, Gold Digger" |" Cabby chuckled, and Merry laugh ed with him.
 But I'm not a gold digger" she declared lightly. I'm a nice girl, and love violets. I feel so dresed up when I wear flowers. Bill Erskine used to buy me orchids"
 Cabby roared with laughter. "All right, I'll buy you orchids" he said but don't try to tell me you're not a gold digger! I suppose you'd like five-pound box of candy, too, eh?"
 Merry shook her head and gave him a soft half-wistful look.
 Never touch candy-not T." she answered. But perfume--I adore perfume"
 She missed the wonderful bottles of it that Bill Erskine had sent to her, during the two years of their strange courtship.
 Cabby bought her two orchids a lavender one and a cream colored one, freckled with gold color.
 Then they parked the car and went to the Towers hotel for din- ner.
 Cabby asked Merry to order the meal, and she ordered the things that man likes. Soup, and steak and potatoes, and fresh apple pie.
 It was over the apple pie and small cups of coffee that Merry finally asked him the question that | had been on the tip of her tongue all evening. .-.. ...
 "Cabby," she began, leaning to- ward him across the little table, T want to ask you something"
 Shoot" said Cabby cheerfully.
 She cleared her throat. This was going 10 be hard -o say.
 "Cabby," she began, do you re- member what Muriel said this aft ernoon? That I was the kind of girl that men take out on the sly? The kind of girl that they're ashamed of being friends with? AM I that kind of girl?" . Without seconds wait, Cabby shook his dark handsome head. Well, I should say not!" he de- clared. "I should say not!" He was most emphatic. . But Merry was not satisfied. Does Muriel know that you came over to my house when you left her tonight? ?" she wanted to know. Her eyes were big and serious.
 T should say not!" Cabby said again. I've had enough bawling out for one day She doesn't know any thing--about anything" Merry cupped .4er chin in her palm, and she gave him the kind