New Britain herald., 1926-07-16

MerTy pdlQ Q Q dllSnliOn tu uSl' She wasn't listeStng to her. She was listening only to the sound in her ear the sound of Central ringing Tony Gaines house.
 Her heart, her brain, and every nerve in her body seemed to be waiting for him to answer.
 Mons talked on. ''lf you girls would only listen to what l tell you once in while you'd get along better" she was saying, as she went around the hall. kicking the rugs back into place. When I was girl, did I telephone the young men I knew? l did NOT, let me tell you."
 "They didn't have phones when you were a girl, Moms, spoke up Jimmy, coming in from the porch, looking flushed and ruffled.
 "They did, tool" snapped Mons. How old do you think l am, for goodness sakes!" And don't you be so pert or you'll go upstairs to bed,"
 Merry put one hand over the mouthpiece of the telephone.
 Did you see a letter of mine on that table q while ago, Jinny?" she asked anxiously.
 Jimmy shook her red head.
 Maybe Cassie did" she an- swerod. "Sheswas sitting here in the hall for quite a while, waiting for Morley Kaufman"
 "Where is she now?" asked Merry sharply. Tt would be just like her to open that letter and read it. She's so nosey."
 She turned to the telephone as Central spoke into her ear. "They do not answer" said Central, and with little groan Merry hung up the receiver.
 Withf slow, dragging feet she went upstairs to her own room.
 Cassie may have put the letter up here for me-" she thought; but without much hope. Cassie wasn't given to doing kind acts for any body.
 There was no long white en- velope tucked among the bottles and boxes that cluttered the dresser. Nor was it in Cassie's room when Merry went there to look for it.
 As she started back to her own room an automobile horn honked hoarsely below the windows. Look ing out, Merry saw Derrick back ing his 'tin can," as he called it. out into the street.
 Beside him, proud as peacock sat Jimmy!
 Now, l just wonder what they're up to-" Merry said to herself, a puzzled look in her sea-green eyes,
 She watched the little car until it vanished into the leafy tunnel of trees that arched Chester street in the summer time.
 Then, with shrug. she turned back to her mirror and slipped out of the dress she had worn all day.
 In the deepening dusk of the room her reflection glimmered like silver. Against its whiteness, Tony Gaines ring of gold and pearl gleamed brightly. It caught Merry's eye, and a sudden thought flashed into her mind.
 His ring! That was why he had written to her! To ask her to send back his ring!
 Well, I just will" Merry found borcelf cavinp bitterly as she hold it in her palm and looked down at it. I'll send it back this very night!'
 She went to the head Of the stairs.
 "Moms!" she called down into the darkness, have you little cardboard box that you don't need?"
 The screen door slammed as Mons came in from the porch and up the stairs.
 What do you want with a card board box" she asked, curiously. standing in the doorway of Merry's room.
 q want to send this back to Tony Gaines" Merry answered. She held the ring out on the palm of her hand.
 Wide-eyed, Mons stared first at it and then at Merry.
 When did he give 1t to your" she asked. Why didn't you show it to me? Why do you keep every thing from me the way you do? You treat me as if l were your worst enemy instead of your mother." Her voice was shaky.
 No, I don't" Merry answered. T would have told you about this g-only-only-" She couldn't go on. She shook her head and turned toward the window with brimming eyes and quiyering chin.
 She was still standing there with her back 10 the room when her mother banged box down on the dresser, some five minutes later.
 Now, then, Merry!" she began, in firm tones, "I want you to turn around here and tell me what's wrong. After all, I'm your mother, and I've a right to know what's happening in your life. Have you and Tony quarrelled?"
 Merry, standing with downcaSt eyes, nodded her head.
 He was jealous of me-" she said, telling her mother only part of the truth.
 Mons nodded, 1T thought sol" she cried. "I was sure of it that night when you were out with Morley Kaufman's fat friend"
 But Tony didn't know was out with Bill Erskine," Merry cut in. q haven't seen him since then"
 Mons stared. "Of course, he knew you were out thai night" she said. Didn't I tell you he was bere that nipbt9 ?"