New Britain herald., 1926-07-20

withi" And so she was.
 Her eyes seemed to smooth Billf face with their soft gaze. az shs leaned across the table, and lait one, of her hands lightly on tht
 back of one of his.
 She stroked it as she talked.
 "Billy," she said, T do so wanl to be part owner of that little shop Muriel Kaufman says she thinks it's just the cutest thing in tht world for a girl to be in business for herself! She thinks l am-Id just die of humiliation if she found out that I was working for Lillie for ten dollar | week"
 That wasn't cyactiy the truth LilIie had been paying her twelve dollars q week for more than a month. But, as Merr. said to her self: What Bill doesn't know won't hurt him!"
 You seer" she asked him. and her voice was like a oaress. You see what l mean? It's my pride that is asking for that money, Bill She gave his hand a last soft pres sure and released it.
 If you don't give me this money. BiHy-boy." she added softly, I'm never going 10 believe in Santa Claus again."
 Bill suddenly laughed.
 He scraped up the last of his salad dressing with his spoon be- fore he answered her. Like most people who love 10 eat. Bills table manners left much to be desired.
 Well, I'll tell you" he began, then thoughtfully, "Tll tell you" And then instead of telling her he began to butter 9 large piece of whole wheat bread and pop it into his mouth.
 Bill had an idea that whole wheat bread wouldn't fatten him. no matter how much of it he ate So he ate it in great quantities and loaded it with butter.
 "I'll tell you. Merry,' he began again. when he had finished. "I wouldn't give you this money if l weren't in love with you. I know I'll never see a nickel of 1t aga1n. I know I'm kissing it goodbye when I give it to you. know-and you know too-that you haven't business head any more than one of those flowers on your dress"
 "If you feel that way about your money. for .hcaven's sake, don't end it to me-" Merry said faintly, md her soft chin, with it's deep limplc. quivered as if she were going to cry.
 Bill leaned on the table and took 1ne of her hands in his, The ;harp, calculating look was com ,leteIy gone from his face by now. 1e was like himself again-cheer- ul, good -natured and kind.
 Honey" he said to her, ''you make me think of a little girl who wants a dollhouse for Christmas, We'll, you're going to haye your ioll house. Don't worry about hat"
 He pulled a Check-book ana gold fountain pen from an inner pocket of his coat and wrote a ,heck for a thousand dollars. Merry held her breath as she watched him do it.
 He showed it across the table to- wards her. while some people at he next table stared and then among themselves.
 q was going 10 give you a wrist watch that would have cost pretty nearly as much as that, anyway" Bill said grandly, as he put the back into his pocket. Ie beamed at Merry and Merry miled back at him with eyes like ,lue- green stars.
 "Big-hearted Bill" she whispered ,cross the table. Her words were but her voice was tender. Never again. during all the years ;he knew him, did she like Bill 1rskine so much as at that mo- nent.
 Well, let's drink to Little Sis CTS beauty shop, thenr" he pro- ,osed suddenly. Hiss hand went o his side pocket and came out lolding the familiar flask of chased liver.
 Merry felt that under the cir she couldn't refuse to rink with him to the long life and ,,npacc of haot1tu
 So when he pushed glass filled with whiskey and gingerale and ice lcross the table to her, she lifted { and took little sip. The mix ure burned her throat and made Ter cough and she set it down.
 Bill laughed at her. You didn't sven wet your whistle. Baby" he huckled. Whats the matter with .ou? Take a drink, Take drink"
 Once more Merry lifted the glass f amber fluid to her lips and this ime she took a deep swallow. f"I promised my mother I'd never To this, Bill" she said gravely to linn, when she had finished half ,f the glass.
 By that time she was feeling farm and weak at the knees and he bright, gay, colorful room was ,oing slowly around her. She miled dreamily into Bills eyes.
 T feel as if I were on a merry -o-romd" she sighed, and closed Ter lids for an instant.
 As if from far away, she heard jim give that deep, fat chuckle of lis.
 "Well. what's wrong with that?" e asked. T used to be crazy about 1erry rounds when 1 was a kid. you're just kid still. Here, 
 He paid his bill and helped | Terry up from her chair.
 She felt him wrap her coat l round her, and the next thing she | new they were in tayicab with | sailing past the dark 5indows. Merry thought they were oats going by.