New Britain herald., 1926-06-03

 Sylvia told her. He had been drinking before he got to Peters picnic, that night when we eloped," she said simply and when he and 1 were alone in the woods he began to kiss me and tell me how much he cared about me--and I was so afraid that if I didn't marry him then and there I'd never get him, that l asked him to
 run away and
 Her head sank low and she al-
 most whispered the end of the sen
 tence:
 And don't believe Fanny eyer
 would havo done it if he'd been in
 his sober senses! l don't believe lie
 really does care for me the way he
 said he did. It was just his liquor
 talking that night"
 Aunt Agony made a little clicking
 sound in her throat. Tut! tut" she
 said and came across the room to
 Sylvia and patted her shoulders
 sharply.
 "If Fanny hadn't cared for you
 he wouldn't have been engaged to
 you for a year. my dear" she went
 on sensibly. "The trouble with Ran
 ny is that he cares for too many
 girls, He's 2 male flirt! AS they say.
 Love sees no faults.' And if YOU
 weren't in love with Fanny you'd see that he's the kind of man who
 never ought to be married to one I woman! Men are all alike, anyway. They're not worth the powder to blow 'em up, any of 'em!'
 No man had ever asked Aunt Agony to marry him, and because Of that she bore the whole sex q grudge. The only men on earth for whom she had any respect were Dr. Buzzard, the family physician. and the pastor of her church, the Rev | Barnaby-and she was none too fond of them,
 Now then!" she exploded. after a minute of silence, Ego on with what you started to say about youI. beautiful husband and Fay Shir- ley."
 Sylvia looked across the room at 8 photograph of Fay that stood on one of the bookcases. In the lemon colored sunlight of late afternoon the pictured likeness seemed to be alive. The big gray eyes seemed to twinkle grecnly, and the mockinc ! lips 10 smile more mockingly at Syl- via than usual
 1 "Ranny's still crazy about Fav." she said quietly.
 l Then shc went on, spea king more 10 herself than to Aunt Agony: "At least, l thin he is. He still kisses her whenever he gets chance-and yet he tells me that he loves me better than he does anything on the tac' of the globe. Half the time I feel so sure of him, and the other half of the timc-' Her lovely, lifting voice that was full of silver 1-otcs, trailcd off into silence.
 Aunt Agony broke that silence presently with one of her eternal proverbs, "" ont put all your eggs into one basket Sylvia" she said. don't lot everything in your life settle on Ranny. Have another inter- est. You take that hundred dollars | gave you and 20 on with your singing lessons. and when it's gone I'll give you some more"
 Sylvia looked perfectly blank.
 I'll phone Miss Sharp myself and tell her that you're coming down on Monday afternoon. as usual" Aunt Agony added. getting up from her chair, 'J'll do it right now and then thore'll be no ifs-and-and about it!"
 Sylvia hluahed violently.
 Amt" shn began. and stopped.
 II took all her courage 10 go on. Aunt Agony. that hundred dollars is gone!" she said.
 Her aunt looked all around the living room, her eyes searching for something new that Sylvia might have bought with her wedding pres cnt of money.
 What did you buy with ito" she asked.
 It didn't occur to Sylvia 10 refuse to answer her aunt's question. Ever since she could remember. she had been obcying Aunt Agony's orders The oply time she had ever defiod her wishes was when she had mar ricd Ranny Phelps. And the habit of obedience was so strong in her Shat she answered now, almost with out thinking:
 q spent part of it on that party the other night"
 Hoy much of it?"
 Fifty dollars" Sylvia answered promptly.
 And where's the rest of it?"
 in my bag over there on the chair" the girl answered. her deep < violet eyes serious and troubled. T | my household bills. They were q bit \ heavy this month--in fact. l WIS on \ my way 10 your house to ask you to fl help me make up a budget. wha you came m. don't soem to krorv II ! o. to handle money very well; and then Ranny phoned-"
 Aunt Agony's mouth closed like a Now. see here" she said. and every word clicked out like III machinery, "you are not going 10 spend penny of that money on II Ranny Phelps! He ought to be H ashamed to use your money! If he l has parties in his house he can pay II for them himself" jl
 Tt was my party!" Sylvia broke III in. T wanted to give it for Ranny. II He'd been so glum and gloomy and unhappy, and l thought it would II cheer him up!" II
 Cheer him up bah!" snorted Il Aunt Agony. What does he need II cheering up for, I'd like to know! I He's married beautiful. accom- Dlshed girl who's far too good for him, and he hasn't sense enough to appreciate her! What are you plan