New Britain herald., 1926-06-26

via couldn't help noticing how Babs cuddled up against him in the seat of the car.
 q hope you don't think I'm mean, but I'm so glad that Babs is gone that l could just jump over the roof" she said to him that night, when they were settled beside the fire.
 Ranny said nothing, but went on reading his J. $. Fletcher murder mystery. rylyia smiled to herself. as = looked al the book on archi- lecture lying untouched, under his chair.
 Where in the world did Babs get the idea that you want to study ar chitccture Q" she asked him. taking out one of his socks from her mend- ing basket.
 Fanny closed his book. "As a matter of fact, she put the idea into my head" he answered, I've all ways known that I've hated my job any kind of steady job. And if weren't saddled with a family I'd go abroad now, and study archi- tecture."
 Sylvia blinlled at him, as she sometimes did when she was startled, She was thinking hard.
 "Wcll. Ranny,' she said. when she found her voice at last, You know I'll do everything l can to help you, if you do want 10 study architec- ture. But isn't it funny that you never were even interested in it, be- fore?"
 He didn't answer.
 I'm sure I can take care of my she added. very quietly, "I know could get back most Of my pupils and give music lessons again. Would I have to give up the house."
 The thought of giving up the Lit- tie White House made her heart sink. She loved every board and nail in it, It was home as no other place ever could be home.
 Before Fanny could answer, the telephone in the hall gave it's whir- ring ring. He leaped to his feet as If he had been waiting for the sound of il. and went out. carefully shutting the door behind him.
 Sylvia sat, looking at that closed loor. She had never known Fanny O close if before when he tele- had he closed it now? What was it that he didn't want her 0 hear?
 She did dreadful thing. She tip oed to the door, silently turned the inob. and opened it a little, and put ler ear 10 the crack.
 She could hear him perfectly now.
 CHAPTER LII
 At first Sylvia thought that he vas talking to Mother Phelps. For be was saying something about put ing up a bathroom shelf, and he often did little odd jobs like that for her.
 "Yeah. I think a glass one would De best" Sylvia heard him say into he telephone. I'll get one for you and put it up, tomorrow, if you ike"
 Then there was g pause. Then Ranny's voice again; All right, I'll ell her You know how much we anjoy having you. Goodnight, Babs.'
 Babsl So he was putting up bath ,oom shelves for her, now, was he? Sylvia found herself saying 'Humph," like Aunt Agony, as she softly shut the door, and scurried pack to her chair.
 When Ranny came into the room ] half minute later, she was sitting n her chair, looking as if she had never stirred while he was out of he room.
 That was Babs on the phone 10 said. picking up his book. Poor title kid, she's awfully lonely over here in that flat. She wants to come pack here for the weekend, so l old her we'd be glad to have her. That was all right. wasn't it?
 Sylvia went on running her needle n and out of the sock she was darn ng, and looking as calm as any lit Ie housewife who ever owned a basket.
 But behind the quiet mask of her 'ace, she was all tumult and an- ger. "No, it wasn't all right, Fanny, she said, raising her blue eyes 10 1is, All I've done for two weeks IS cook and clean and pick Up cigaret butts for Babs, and I'm dead tired. [ don't have any time any more to ook after the baby the way I should You don't know how much of ob it is to entertain Babs--No, l won't have her he Q this week"
 She looked at him. wistfully- ne want to have a few days alone with her, for a change? Wasn't he weary of having a third person lround the house all the time?
 He shrugged his shoulders, as he sat down in his chair on the other side of the lamplit table.
 Well I guess we'll have to have fer this time," he answered care essly, i've told her to come, now. [ said I'd drop around for her about 'our tomorrow afternoon"
 Sylvia groaned-So she'd have to spend another evening alone with a book. while Fanny and Babs sat on he davenport busy with their works 1n architecture. Another evening of Bahs' chatter.
 "Im going to call up Peter Wilk," she said. jumping up, "Im going to lsk him to take her to a movie to- morrow night. That'll get her out of he house for a few hours any way"
 Ranny laughed unpleasantly. You told me a couple of weeks ago hat you adored Rabs," he reminded Ter. You could hardly wait for her o get here, when she wrote that she vas coming"
 Sylvia went out Into the hall and clephonel Pete.
 "Well. what did your friend, the Purity Squad, have 10 say?" Fanny lsked when she came back into the -oOm. A fter I kicked him out of