New Britain herald., 1926-07-20

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 father died and left her without z red cent" she went on, blowing z
 jet of cigaret smoke from her nos.
 trils. And she earns her living
 by selling some kind of cold cream
 that she and her mother make al that Mrs. Gouverneur Morris made when she opened that beauty shor of hers"
 Come on. let's play bridger Cassie cut in, and that was the end of their talk.
 But it left it's mark on Merry That night she went home feeling that she had done clever thing by going into Lillie Dale's shop.
 I'm going to have 8 share in if, too" she made up her mind, as she let herself into the house. "J think T I know where 10 get the money to buy it." She was thinking of Bill Erskine.
 He would be coming to town soon.
 1 But Merry was impatient She sat down that night and wrote to him.
 q want 10 talk to you about some business matters" she was writing, when Mons opened the door of her bedroom and came in She had been crying, and her face looked bleak and white and drawn
 "Well?" she said, T hope you enjoyed yourself at Cassie's house.
 Merry said she had.
 Its all right for you 10 20 if you want to-" her mother added, with a break in her voice. But If Cassie didn't invite me there when Morley was home, I'm sure I shouldn't go there on the sly!'
 Merry flushed mp. His sister. Muriel was there" she answered And We had an awfully nice time. Morley wouldn't high-hat me Mons when I'm engaged to his best friend, would he?"
 Mons looked doubtful.
 "Well--but are you engaged 2" she asked. If you are. why doesn't Erskine send you an engagement ring"
 "Im waiting for Christmas. Mery said with a smile. "I'll bet you anything that he gives me diamond then,"
 Bill came into town on Christmas eve.
 Merry put on her new black lace hat, plain black dress. and went downtown 10 rect him. They were Ito have dinner together at the Brevoort.
 Cant he think of anything else to do but eat?" Moms asked in her 'sour way when Merry was dress ing that night. All he wants 10 do is to sit in restaurant and stuff himself it seems to mel"
 But Merry enjoyed dining out just as much as Bill did. She liked the lights and the music and the nose. She loved to look at the people around her She loved to have them look at her, and they always did look-men and women alike.
 Tonight she had an orchid pinned on her shoulder. It was the first orchid she had ever had, and il had cost five dollars.
 "Think!" said Merry. looking across the table at Bilrs fat pink face. Five dollars for a single flower! You just throw money away don't you? It's about money that l want to talk to you tonight! want you to lend me some."
 Lend you some?" Bill repeated, and across his good natured pink ness slid that cruel hard look that Merry had seen on his face once before.
 CHAPTER XXTI
 How much do you want?' Bill Erskine asked. How much do you want me to lend you?"
 His lids were still narrowed over his eyes and he looked at Merry very hard and earnestly.
 How much ?" he asked again.
 Merry didn't care much for his tone.
 It wasn't exactly harsh. But it was sharp and business-like. The kind of tone he might have used in speaking to another business man.
 Merry dropped her eyes, so that her thick lashes made faint shad- ows on her petal-like cheeks.
 If you're going to talk to me like that" she said, looking up at him me this money. I want it just for a little while to buy a share in Lilies shop. I could soon pay it back to you"
 She brok off short. She didn't want to talk about paying back the money. She didn't want to be busi- like. No indeedI Business meant such tiresome things as notes and six per cent.
 She wanted Bill to give her the money just as he might have given her a bottle of perfume or box of candy-because she was a beauti- ful girl and he was in love with her
 w lltIt, lOI SuOuhIoS Stihtt NSo the point in having well-to-d do man in love with you if you couldn't ask a favor of him once in while?
 At least, that was the way Merry | had it all figured out in the little | brain under her matchless gold l hair. It was all as simple as A, B, c to her.
 You give me all sorts of lovely | things, Bill all the time" she went on, pleadingly. Its because you've 1 been so generous to me that ] know you'll give me this money | now. Only a thousand dollars.h
 She had meant to borrow fifteen dollars from him. That l was what Lille wanted for half share in the beauty shop.
 But Merry decided thar 1t would | be easier to get a thousand from Bill now. and the remaining five I