New Britain herald., 1926-07-29
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 me, haven't you?"
 T Bill got up from his chair, still r clutching his napkin in his hand. I'm afraid I have" he said, and
 Merry could tell by the very sound of his voice that he hadn't forgot Y Iten her at all!
 ? It was perfectly plain to every one In the room that he remem- bered her only too well!
 CHAPTER XLII
 Laugher rippled all over Lilies broad white face, and sparllled in her bright little eyes.
 "So you don't remember me,
 Tubby!" she said, looking more and
 more pleased. "Of course, I've
 fleshed up a bit since that winter down in Florida-and I'm not any
 younger than I was. But I'll bet
 you'd know who was if sat down
 here and gave you a good mani-
 cure."
 She gave her deep, rolling laugh
 You've not forgotten Lillie Dale, tsurely,' she helped him out.
 And then, of course, Bill had to
 pretend that he hadn't known her until that instant. His face cleared and he came across the kitchen floor and shook her plump white hand, ! as if he were delighted to see her. | Which he wasn't-not one little | bit! T never would have known you, 1 Lillie!" he said heartily
 ! He tried to look pleasant. But | Merry saw him frown as 'Lillie sat down in Mons little rocking chair and settled herself for a nice long gossip with him.
 And what happened to that love- fly English girl you were going to marry that year." she asked him. beamipg at him as she rocked her self back and forth. "A tall blond { girl, with pale blue eyes. Very thin i she Was-Not pretty, but not bad looking, either! She had lot of money, someone told me-
 Bill looked uncomfortable and II said that he didn't remember the English girl who had money. Ii
 You've got me confused with |, someone else" he said smoothly. r
 Lillie laughed. Well maybe" she answered. But she winked at Mons z wickedly. [
 You were so nice to me that I winter, too,' Lillie unused, smiling " up at the ceiling. Remember how I you used to come into my shop every day or two? How you used r to want to take me out to dinner, | I or for a ride ill a surf-b boat? But m | never was able 10 go was I? l, was always so busy. Well, I must a be going upstairs and leave you W young people to yourselves. You il coming, too, Sadie? h
 She looked at Mons, who fol- lowed her. S,
 But on the threshold she turned. IIy
 How long ago that winter seems now, Hubby, doesn't it?" she asked. e with good natured mockery in her O ioice. T was married then. Do YOU q. that I told you I was? SC But you said that didn't make any W difference. Are you still so broad A minded, Tubby?" 'b,
 Bill looked at her as if he could " 'heerfully murder her, but she only ot aughed back at him. al
 The sound of her laughter died way slowly as she and Mons sl mounted the stairs. sl
 Merry could still hear her and l h; ioms talking upstairs, an hour lat r. when Les Purcell said good tr fight. te Bill had outstayed him. and when oy Terry and he were alone he was of ilent for long time.
 It was she who broke the silence he t last. so T suppose ySh're angry with SC le-' she faltered. In the flickef- lg light from the grate fire she yo as flushed and lovely, and her u 'wered lashes made moth- wing at ladows on her cheeks.
 Aren't you?" she asked, and hi aised the green, slanting eyes that ly new how to say more than any fo, ords could. an Bill turned and took her by both rms, shaking her a little. He glar- gr uoWn dL nef IefcelY.
 What have you to say for your as' slf?" he asked her. His voice tn embled with the rage he had been olding in leash all evening. Rage, Id jealousy, too. ' ne What do you mean by having lat fellow here?" he went on say he 5ely. 'Who the devil is he any a ay?" all Don't swear" Merry said in DO small, innocent voice. Don't swear me-" She raised her big eyes thi Id tried to look frightened. clr But she wasn't. She knew she had i'll Erskine under her thumb. as e never had had him before. His VII jealousy of her had put him qu her power. pro Who is he?" Bill repeated, shak- tht g her by both arms. His fingers hat essed deep into her rose-white ssh, and she winced. yo, Bill! You hurt mel" she cried, lv, t he only shook her again. WI Who is he?" tha Hes a man." said Merry. and ! e giggled. COL It struck her all at once that Bill tha 'ked awfully funny with his face sud with anger, his eyes bulging, and Tn; teeth biting hard on the eternal wht ick cigar. ma Hes a man-Who wants to mar to me-" she fbbed. T met him at lonl } beauty shop. He's a friend of + lies" a l, She did not mention that she had ." own Les Purcell years before thre lie knew him-away back in her com le-girl high school days. Ton And that's another thing! I don't ry $ 9 you to be in that beauty shop can h Llille!" The words seemed to beal 'ot out of Bill's mouth. T don't Nj