New Britain herald., 1926-06-12
CHAPTER XXVIII

sulky as a spoiled child's when he answered.
 Why, sure, ] know that wc aren't friends any more," he agreed. I"You're so wrapped up in the baby these days that I'm lucky if l get two words out of you. I'm actually driven to go outside of my own home for any kind of human com- panionship-for my good times"
 Sylvia could hardly believe her ears Had Fanny really forgotten the nights and nights before the lbaby came when she had sat alone in The Nest hour after hour, wait ing for him 10 come home from his good times?"
 She opened her lips to remind him of those highs, but decided to say nothing-no use crying over spilled milk"
 But Fanny" she said gently, "The babys in bed every night at six o'clock ] have plenty of time to sit here with you. but you're al ways gone. You don't seem to want to stay here with me"
 He scowled. well, why should I want to stay here with you?' he asked bluntIy. "You don't make things so darned pleasant for me when I do stay! What are you doing now toward giving me peace and comfort? Razzing the shirt off my Iback-that's about all.'
 Sylvia flushed. I'm sorry" she .faltered. "I didn't mean 10 scoid you. Fanny. But, somehow, every thing seems to be so upset lately thought that perhaps If we talked things over" She stopped and bll her lip. She had the silliest desire 10 break down and cry.
 But shc knew that she didn't dare to, She knew that now or never she nust get things straightened out De- tween them. So she set her teeth' .straightened herself in her chalr' and went on brayely;
 q know I'm not very interesting but you used 10 like to be with me before we were married. You were in love with me then, and you aren | any more. Isn't that about the size of it?" ,, DO we have to settle all this to- night?" he asked. "I have rotten headache and I'd like to be quie'' ! if you don't mind
 He picked up his newspaper ana raised it, like a wall, between lhei"'
 Sylvia went into the bathroom TOT the headache cologne,
 As she stood rubbing Fanny forehead with gentle fingertipS Il came to her that there was no earthly use in trying to talk thiERS lover. He wanted to be left free to go his own way-and let her go hfi way. He had made that very plalh-
 As if to make il still more plalh' he said suddenly: "I should never have married you. Sylvy. l shouldn | ht.ve married any woman' I'm born bachelor"
 For answer she leaned over him and kissed him very quietly ana itenderly.
 "You're my man." she said, and her voice trembled.
 
 That night she thought 1t all out'
 She would not only have to llFc her own life, until Ranny returned to her from this neY love a1falr oi his. but she would have 10 earn her own money, too.
 She couldn't take money from a man who had fallen out of love with her. True enough, it was little that he gave her--barely enough for the upkeep of the tiny flat, and for the baby's food and clothing.
 But l won't let him buy me any clothes or do anything for me- she made LID her mind, shutting her lovely lips firmly and staring straight ahead of her into the dark ness of the bedroom.
 In the bed beside her, Fanny breathed regularly and audibly.
 "I wonder if he knows that he hasn't kissed he goodnight in weeks" Sylvia thought, listening 10 Ithat low and regular sound, don't believe he does, l think hes just forgotten me, in way
 The next morning she wheeled the baby over to Bleak street to ask Aunt Agony for her old SteinWay piano.
 q hate to ask for it." she said, as they stood together in the dim parlor, looking at its shining bulk. The old piano seemed so much a part of the old house. It had be- longed to Sylvia's mother and 1t had stood in that particular corner of the room for almost thirty years,
 Aunt Agony pursed up her color less lips. "I'm sure I don't mind lyour taking it. l never play the thing" she answered. "and I'm SC glad that you're going to go on with your singing lessons. You have a lovely voice and it's q shame to bury your talents"
 Sylvia saiG nothing about her plans for the plano. She knew that Aunt Agony would be furiously angry if she found out that she in tended to give music lessons.
 On her way home she stopped in to see Sarah Wilk.
 Peters sister was just the sort oi person everybody went to with their troubles, as Sylvia was going to her now.
 She was plump and short and there was a twinkle in her black eyes that gave her short face tho friendliest sort of expression. Sylvia loved her.
 Well, If this isn't nice--to set you again! And that blessed baby!' she squeaked with pleasure wher she saw Sylvia standing on he, front porch. She stood on tiptoe ant kissed her, and then picked III Fanny. Junior.
 "Come right in" she went o1 breathlessly, "I just finished bakint