New Britain herald., 1926-06-15

had been cutting his teeth" on it
 AS she stood looking down at it she felt someone's eyes on her.
 She glanced up and there in the doorway stood Peter. Sue saw that he had his hat in his hand and his coat slung over his arm.
 Going" she asked, coming to- ward him, "so early?"
 "Ycs, you're dead tired. And may he if l go itI break up the party" he answered in q whisper with his gaze turned now to the baby in his little bed. 'I never get a chance 10 see you any more, or talk to you. Tell me, is there anything l can do for you? Any books 1 can send you?"
 She shook her head. smiling up at him. T haven't read a book for a year. she said. Think Of tt-an eS-librarian, But honestly, 1 haven't ithe time 10 it''-shc gave a nervous little laugh-"I don't get time 10 breathe these days"
 She drowned, rem embering sud- denly the washing that was in soak in the tubs under the kitchen table. She must remember 10 take out the baby's flannels tonight and wash them and hang them up. They shrank if they were left in the water too long.
 When the door of The Nest closed behind Peter she went into her own bedroom and closed the door. She knew that if she went back 10 the hot, smoke-filled room. she was go- ling to drop right off to sleep be- fore the eyes of everyone.
 AS she powdered her nose before .the mirror she noticed the faint blue smudgcs Of weariness under her eyes. like bruises. Her mouth dropped at the corners, too. She looked sick.
 Behind her the door Of the pref ty, dimly-lit room opened and Lol- Ky came rustlng in. swinging her short taffcta skirt like q chorus girl.
 "HOncy, we're going home - Tomsie and l." she said. sitting down on Rannys bed. "You'rc all in. You look ready 10 drop. Do you want Us 10 e Fuss home with us?"
 Sylvia nodded. eyes, if she'll go with you" she answered. But Fuss had other plans for her ! self that evening" She wasn't going . 10 give Ranny mp to this Mrs. Bracket without a struggle. She made that clear.
 1 NO. thinks, darling" she said to Sylvia, when she asked her if she wanted to ride home with Lolly and Thomas. "I'm having such a gooG time I think I'll stay while longer. Fanny can run me home later. It's only block or two" She took out ! her vanity case and began to make up her face as if nothing else on earth mat'errd 10 her just then.
 It was midnight before Sylvia found herself alone in the flat.
 Fanny was taking both Puss and Mrs. Bracket home. Sylvia made private bet with herself-that he took Puss home first,
 She had washed out the baby's tlanncls, aired tho flat and was getting ready for bed before he re- iiUrrcd.
 He came straight 10 her, put his hand under her chin and turned her face up 10 his so that lie could look at her.
 What made you ask Fuss March i here tonight?"
 ! Under the shadow of her hair her blue eyes met his look squarely. but she didn't say a word. The corners of her lips lifted the least bit as if she were trying to smile. l "Yol'ye known all along that l was racing around with Fuss, haven't you?" he asked. and she nodded.
 "But you never said word," he went on.
 1 She shrugged her shoulders, What was the use?" she asked, huskily. You told me that a man wanted friendships with women out side the home. So what could I say? What could I do" You know I love you too much to leave you, don't you?"
 l He didn't answer her question. In+ead he began to talk about something else.
 This Peter WiIhs still crazy about you" he said "T don't want iyou to ask him to my house ever again. Do you understand ?'
 sylvia stared at him, round-eyed. I"You're absurd 10 think that Peters in love with mel" she answered sharply He was once, l know. But that's all over. You forget, Fanny, that I've known Peter ever since l vas high 10 a grassopper. He's almost like q brother to me"
 Ranny scowled. "Arl right-but I can do without his hrotherly. love in my family" he hesitated. Thumbs down on him from now on, Re member"
 Sylvia didn't answer.
 Fifteen or twenty minutes passed by before he spoke again. This time it was about Mrs. Bracket. What did you think Of her, Syvy?" he asked laying his book down on the table that stood between their beds.
 "Perfcctly lovely woman" fibhed Sylvia. hating herself for the fib. l Rut moi for the worlds would she let Ranny lu.ow that she was jealous of Jane Prackett.
 By inks, she sure is pretty" he went on. with enthusiasm in his voice and his eyes "She ought 10 he able to sell lots, on her face value alone!'
 | His own face suddenly cloudod. ."What do you know about Dad talk ing Thomas Boyle into the firm" he asked frowning darEly. Dirty trick. wasn't it? It was Lolly's do-