New Britain herald., 1926-06-19

man who is carrying three drinks too many.
 Sylvia frownad and pushed him away from her. He looked as sur prised as If she had thrown bomb at himl
 And in that fleeing second, she firmly made Up her mind that she would go to no more wild" parties. What fun were they, any way? None at all An old-fashioned taffy-pull would have been more fun.
 The young people didn't know how to enjoy themselves anymore unless they were all "ickered up,' as Aunt Agony said. And Sylvia never touched liquor.
 Pm old-fashion4d l suppose,' she thought. Its oid-fashioned to be shockedi I haven't any business going around with this crowd. any more. They're getting to be too swift for mel"
 Woody King was still looking at her in a puzzled way. Whats th5 matter with you, sylvia?" he asked. Don't you like me?" She nodded. "Yes. I like you fine, Woody. But if you'd known me all my life, the way the rest of the gang have you'd know that I don't pet" she told him, as lightly as she could. You know what they've always called me. The touch-me-not gtrl.'
 That seemed to strike his funny bone. He threw back his dark head and gave short laugh.
 That's q good one!" he said heartily, "torch-me-not. eh? We'll, this is one time when your name is something entirely different"
 And, without warning, he took Sylvia in his arms for q second time. and kissed her very firmly-s long, slow kiss-holding her head so that she couldn't move 1t an inch, while he did it.
 Beyond his head, Sylvia could see sudden shaft Of light stream ont on the roof Of the porch, and she knew that someone had opened the kitchen door. and was standing there-watching them, no doubt!
 When Woody let her go, at last, sine reeled away from him. and fell back, pantIng, against the railing of the porch. The hack or her hand passed over her lips, as if she were trying to wipe Woody Kings hard kisses from them.
 "Ranny." she said, and her voice was nothing more than q little moan.
 For it was Rarny who was stand ing there in the open door, looking at her. his mouth curved in scorn- tul smile. He ignored the other man completely.
 Ready to go home?" he asked, 10 pass him on his way into the house.
 When he had gone, Ranny step ped out on to the porch, and stood, looking down at Sylvia's face, that was whiter than the moonlight, it. self.
 Get your coat" he ordered her. and his voice was like q lash. For the first time In two years he seem cd to see how beautiful she was and how desirable--to another man.
 He knew that at parties like this anybodys husband kissed anybodvs wife. And it vas all right-as far as he was concerned.
 So it was all right for him 10 kiss Elsie Leopoldl A man could wander off the beaten path now and then. and what was the difference
 But when it came to the mans wife. An. that was another story. Sylvia. must be like Ceasar's wife, above reproach!
 He met her with a face like . storm cloud. when she came down the stairs holding her old. shabby evening coat in her hands.
 Through the doorway Of the liv- ing room she could see Elsie Leo pold's puzzled eyes slyly watching them, as Ranny put the coat around her shoulders.
 T must go in and say goodnight to Lolly." she began.
 You're not going 10 say good night to anybody" Ranny burst out and showed her into the night, You're going home with mel"
 ITO RE C0NrINI-