New Britain herald., 1926-10-13

gela tells him that Honey Lou had seven cocktails, and calls her hard -boiled.'
 But Honey Lou never suspects Angela of talking about her. For Angela is sweet and friendly 10 her, and Honey Lou trusts her al though her half-sistor Marcrct Moody, says she is catty. When she and Jack quarrel she never thinks for q moment that Angela might be at the bottom Of it.
 One night Jack calls on Honey Lou and finds Margret's beau, Steve Mayhew there. and filings himself away from the house in q jealous rage.
 Honey Lou makes mp her mind not to care about it. but of course she does. But she feels sure that Jack will come back to her sooner or later. And one night he does and finds her taking part in a Charleston contest in the neighbor- hood picture show. He is shocked and disgusted with her, just as her mother is and cannot sec what a lark it is for Honey Lou.
 NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 CHATTER XVII
 When Honey Lou got home that night, they were all there ahead of her, waiting for hcr-Mrs. Huntley, Margrct and Steve.
 She opened the door, and closed it. Stood with her back against it, facing the three of them.
 Margret and Mrs. Huntley were solemn and accusing. But behind them, Steve Mayhew's eyes were aglnam with a lurking smile.
 "Honey Lou, how COULD you do such thing? Such a common thing" were the first words that Mrs. HuntIey said. ITO get up before q crowd like that and make an exhibition of yourself! You just broke my heart"
 Honey Lou's face quivorcd all over, and a pang of pity for her mother stabbed her like a little knife. It had never occurred 10 her that Mrs. Huntley would take the thing like that.
 She thought that both she and Margret would take it as the good joke she, herself, had thought 1t. For to Honey Lou it had been a joke until 'she saw Jack Walacl walk into the thcater and sit down. A huge joke.
 "Why, mother, I thought you'd laugh when I came trotting out on that stage" she said, and her voice sounded thick and husky, as if she had been crying, 'I'yc been giggling at The thought of it. all day, down at the office"
 She looked I'D at Steve Mayhow's amused face, and laughed sudden ly. But even her laughter sounded strained, and there was little catch in it like a sob.
 Ut was funny. wasn't it, Stevc?" she asked him wistfully, "and be- sides, look here" She opened her little handbag and tossed three bills down on the marhIe-toppcd table. Two tens and a five-dollar bill.
 "I won the contest" she said with a sort of shamod pride. Even if I did go booey when l looked up and saw-and saw Jack Wallack-" Her mouth worked, and she tried ,I n Ilt ip Ii tle attempt to smile. and failed.
 She stood there before them, for q second or two more. Then she dashed past them and tho door Of her bedroom slammed behind her.
 Margrct hurried in, after her.
 Honey Lou '"as lying across the bed, with her touslcd hair hidden in her arms, crying as if her heart h broken.
 "It was an awful thing 10 do,' she wcpt. "T didn't know inst how awful it was until I saw lacks face" Her words ended in more wild sobs.
 Presently shc sat lr on the edge Of the bed and wiped her eyes with wet handkerchief.
 "I did tt for a iolt"," she said dully. not looking at Margrot, but guess it wasn't one, was il? You go out into tho other room with mother and Steve. I'm all right now. I'm going 10 hod."
 "Stcye's gone" Mrs, Huntlny's voice came from tho doorway. Hike most mon. I suppose he hates family jar and her ran away from this ono. Men arc all alike They love to start a row. themselves. but they don't enjoy other peoples bat ties"
 She came and sal beside her younger daughter and put her arms around her.
 "I reckon l made a mountain out of a molc-hill, Honey Lou" she said to her. "It wasn't such 2 disgrace ful thing to do, as l thought it was at first. As Steve just pointed out to mo. nobody knew who you were"
 Honey Lou sniffed. Nobody but Jack WallaCk-and wish you'd seen tn" look he gave mc,'
 "I suppose" she said 10 Margrct when Mrs Huntlcy was in bed in her own room. "I suppose Jack came here to the house tonight, found us all gone and went 10 tho movie to look for us. He knows where we usually go"
 She began 10 unbutton tho white jumper she wore.
 He thought I was making q dis