New Britain herald., 1926-07-31

44Sut anu lncy "elS dS uull do OA- polished emeralds.
 Why did you come downtown to meet me, in the first placer" Bill wanted to know, after a long pause. His voice was full of puzzlement.
 Who knows?" asked Merry, with a shrug.. She began to hum and to drum on the window pane, as she looked out at the soaked, hurrying crowds on their way to work.
 You've fallen for that hird l found you with last night, haven't iyou?" Bill said, leaning forward to look her full in the face. That's what's wrong with you, isn't it?" Merry only raised her eyebrows Just as well to let Rim think she was in love with Les Purcell, if he wanted to, she figured. It never did a man a bit of harm to be jeal- ous.
 She went on humming.
 q wish you'd stop that noise and answer mel" Bill blurted out. Why didn't you write and tell me that YOU didn't want me to come up and see you? I felt pretty flat last night, when I walked up on the porch and saw you having a betting bee with that Purcell, or whatever his name is--"
 That's his name" Merry broke In with maddening calmness. And you're crazy about him. aren't you ?" Bnl persisted. Suddenly she swung around on the seat and faced him.
 "Is it any of your business" she asked him. almost shouting. You've been putting me off for months and months and months? Is it any won- der I get tired of sitting around, waiting for you to come along and marry me? Is it, ask you? Is it?"
 He did not answer.
 And then. when I get peeved and tell you l don't care whether l ever marry you or not, what do you do" Her voice went more shrill and high. You call me up and try to palm off a little half-karat diamond on me! You think that will keep me sitting around for six months more, don't, you? Well, it won't! I'm all through!'
 She was shaking all over and tears stood in her eyes, hard and bright as diamonds,
 "You stop this cab and let me out" she cried, and leaned over to open the sliding window in. front of her. But Bill stopped her.
 Now, now. honey, wait just minute" he tried to sooth her, well go right down now for our license, if that's what you want. Now, now, just calm yourself, and we'll talk this thing over quiet ly."
 His tone was smooth as silk but his face was stark with horror. Like every man he was afraid of scene with a woman, and it looked to him as if Merry were going into mysteries again,
 "I'll tell you what we'll do," he said. q hayen'U had any break fast. We'll stop somewhere for a cup of coffee and then we can de- eide what to do." He began to pat her shoulder as he talked.
 q wonder if they'd give us some thing to eat if we went out to the Blue Admiral Inn?" he said. well try it, anyway" He leaned for ward and told the taxi man to cut across town to the Dover road.
 In the gray light of the early morning, the Blue Admiral Inn was not the gay and colorful place that it was at night when it was filled with yellow lights, music and well dressed people.
 There was only one waiter in sight, and he was sleepy looking. and his collar was wilted. He wrote down their order silently and sidled away through the maze of bare tables.
 When he came back he brought coffee, ginger ale and cracked ice in a yellow earthenware bowl.
 "Why the ice?" asked Merry, who had not said a word since they en- tered the dreary place of nightly revelry.
 Bill smiled at her and took out his familiar flask of engraved silver.
 Just a little pick-me-up before