New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1926-07-24

lpOhCh 81 slldl y aiIO CIutl SOIuG-
times, set in his pink, good-natured
face. .ss
You know what it means, don't
you?' he asked. 1T means that
our plans for September will have
to be put off for while, Merry.
It's doggoned shame. But II
can't be helped"
You mean getting married ?"
she asked, and Bill nodded.
She gave shrug.
"Oh, ] thought we had decided
not to get married for a while, -
she laughed. None of the bitter
ness that was in her heart crept
inc her voice.
you didn't mention it when you
were here last week" she went on.
lightly, 80 I just put it out of my
mind"
She took her hand from his
shoulder and went back to her ap-
pointment book.
"Whew! But it's hot!" Bill
changed the subject, like skater
turning away from thin ice. And
here's Little Sister, looking as cool
as water-lily in her white dressl
Gosh, but you are sight for sore
eyes, Merry"
He got up and came toward her.
He put his hands under her elbows
and drew her to her feet. The
glitter in his eyes deepened, and his
mouth was hard and stubborn as
he bent to kiss her again.
But Merry pulled herself away,
a little frown between her sea-
green eyes.
"Don't!' she said irritably, Civ
ing herself a little shake. II don't
want to be mauIed!"
There was long silence, while
they looked at each other. Then
Bill pulled out his thin platinum
watch that was fastened to a chain
of platinum and gold links.
Quarter after twelve" he re-
marked, looking at it. my train
doesn't go for four hours. I'll tell
you what We'll do-Well get a car
and drive out into the country for
something to eat. Out to the
Blue Admiral Inn-How'll that do?"
Merry shook her graceful little
head and looked down at her
hands.
That won't do at ALL" she an
swered. quietly Il haven't time,
Bill. I'm sorry. but l promised
jimmy I'd go shopping with her this
afternoon. She's getting some
new dresses for school,"
If he didn't have time to marry
her, she had no time to go driving
around the country with him, she
told herself furiously! If he wasn't
going to keep his promises, he'd
get no more chances at love-mak-
, ing in hired automobiles and Blue
Admiral Inns!
Not with me. at any rate!'
thought Merry. 1--WE come to my
sober senses at last!'
Her thoughts were hard and
clear. But her face was as soft
and pink as sweet-pea, as she
looked at him.
I'm sorry" she said, with firm
little nod.
She sat, still as a little Tanagra
! figurine, with her yellow head bent
low over Lilies appointment book
while Bill telephoned for taxicab.
Goodbye, Bill" she said with
out looking. when it drove up
in front of the shop. He did not
answer her.
When she looked up again he
was gone, and Castles smart lit
tie car was at the curb.
Cassie knew that the beauty shop
was not paying very well, and she
played Lady Bountiful to it. Twice
week she came there to be mas
saged and shampooed and curled
and manicured.
| There never was a speck Of dirt
on Cassie's skin or a hang-nail on
her fingers. She made the most of
the looks that Providence had
given her.
When Merry saw her today, get
ting out of the car, she would have
sworn that Cassie was beautiful
woman - except for the fact that
she had seen Cassie without her
makeup too many times.
Without it, Cassie was sallow and
her lips were colorless. Her hair
was straight and sparse and straw
colored. But under Lilies magic
fingers and curling irons, it became
a golden turban.
Where's Madame Dale?" asked
Cassie, coming in and giving Merry
a dry peck on the cheek.
Having her lunch" Merry re-
piled, jerking her head toward the
back of the shop where Lille was
making tea and toast. "Sit down.
She'll be here in minute"
Cassie never called Lille any,
thing but Madame Dale" She
might live at Mons house and be
Lille" to the whole family ru,
not to Cassie! Cassie believed in
keeping people in their places.
Did you see Bill Erskine driv-
ing away just now" Merry asked
her as she sat down and crossed
Uhe slender, ilk-sheathed leg over
Me other.
Cassie widened her eyes. IT saw
taxi leaving the place. Was he in
it,"
Merry nodded. He was in town
4 between trains, and wanted me to
have lunch with him." she said,
But / told him to go swing on the
gate. I'm awfully tired of him -
hope l never see him again"
Cassie raised her eyebrows that
had been pencilled on where her
own were shaved off. But she
seemed to be only half-listening.
I'm going out of town tomorrow
for couple of weeks" she an
nounced, after a minute. Her
voice was as brittle as glass.
Merry saw then that her eyelids
! l. q ~, l.