New Britain herald., 1926-07-28

working in his fathers printing of flee, would como back at her. Its hard on both of us.'
 But there never was a word of complaint from Jimmy. If she dis liked living at the Jones house, she never said so. And she never crossed the threshold of her old home un- less she came with her new hus- band.
 "She acts as if she'd never be- longed to mel" Mons would vail
 Helen and Cassie hardly ever came home, either.
 Helen was going to have another baby in January. and she said she was "worked to death" taking care of the old baby and the house on Wordsworth Road.
 Cassie was busy, too, with her social career and her husbands love affair with Mrs. Eff lell.
 Hes seeing her again, all the time" Cassie confided 10 Merry. one cold Saturday night in late October They were driving home in Cassie's little car, with its cut-glass vase of clove carnations and it's velvet t-cov- cred seats.
 Cassie's face was worn and Wor- ried. All the cold cream and make up she could buy couldn't make + look young and fresh these days.
 "Whatever you do, Merry" she said in her harsh, husky voice. Don't marry man unless he's head over heels in love with you. Marriage is too close and intimate a thing for anybody but lovers"
 Her sister looked at her sharply. That was such a queer thing for Cassie to say - Cassie who seemed to be as cold and hard and loveless as a marble statue.
 That reminds me, Merry" she went on, Morley had a letter from Bill Erskine. He expects to spend Thanksgiving here. ] suppose he's told you. though, hasn't he?"
 'I haven't heard from him for week." Merry answered. T don't know what's the matter with him. He had been writing to me every day."
 That night she saw Bill Erskine.
 Les Purcell dropped in to see her along about half past eight.
 I'm not going to stay" he said. sitting down in front of the little fire that crackled in the sitting room grate. q just ran in to tell you something wife filed suit for divorce today"
 He said it just like that-natur- ally and simply. He might have been saying: 'I bought a new suit today" or Tt was cold today, wasn't it?"
 Merry's green eyes blinked at him. like green jewels winking in the dimness of the firelit room.
 May soul! Lille was right, then!" she muttered, half to herself. But why didn't you tell me you had a wife, Les? You've never mentioned her."
 Les grinned and lit a cigaret be- fore he answered her.
 "Why should have talked about her? I haven't lived with her for more than a year, honey" he drawl- ed in his lazy way "I try not to think of unpleasant things"
 Merry stared at him. The little room was very silent. The whole house was silent, except for. the tick ing of the clocks and the coals cracking in the grate. Mons and Lille had gone out.
 q never should have married her In the first place." Les went on. alking about himself as usual. 'I'm not the kind of man who should try 10 stick to a woman and a home. I'm not made that way"
 "No? Merry's voice was quiet. 'No?"
 Les Purcell got up and came to-' ward her. She get up, too. She didn't ike the look that had flashed into his face.
 Kiss 'em when you meet 'em. and leave 'em when you kiss 'em! But never marry 'em!" Les said in his coarse way. speaking of the whole splendid race of women as f they were toys for the pleasure lnd amusement of man.
 That's my system," he finished with a laugh, holding Merry close n his arms. "Fm going to leave you now - but first of all. I'm go- np to kiss you Paradisef"
 Not if I see you first!" Merry ,ried, full of sudden dislike toward lim.
 There came a sharp knocking on he window beside them.
 (TO BE CONTINUED
 Whose is the face at the window. why is Merry so frightened You will ind the answers in tomorrow's chapter of "The Petter."