New Britain herald., 1926-07-08

But Merry was not listening tc her.
 She was standing at the window staring out into the street, frozcr
 with surprise and wonder.
 A car stood befor2 the house A long blue car. Beside it stood her sister Cassie. And in it, smiling SC broadly that his teeth shone like snow in his tanned face, sat the Man in Gray.
 As Me,,y poked at him, he rais- ed his hat to Cassie and drove away.
 (TO BE CONTINUED
 Merry cDyics Cassie her clothc, and knows that she would be more attractive than Cassie if she might have them. Cassic's birthday gift softens her heart, but c birthday ends in a TOW and an adventure. Read about 1t in tomorrows Herald,
 CHAPTER VI
 The darkness under the willow tree was thick and soft like black velvet.
 Merry couldn't see the face of the man who held her in his arms. But she stayed where she was, with her head against the rough shoulder of his coat, while his fingers stroked her wet cyelids and cheeks.
 "Nou're crying" he said It's my fault. l had no business kissing you. You're tired, too. aren't you?" Un- ier thh could feel that she was trembling all over.
 "1 won't keep you any longer" he went on, holding her tighter than before. Then suddenly he let her go. Good night I'll sec you tomorrow, won't I? Good night"
 Merry was still leaning against the white fence pickets when his car turned the corner Of the street. Her fingers were raised to her lips.
 Aching with q happiness and an that she had never known before in her life, she turned and went slowly toward the house, where only her own bedroom win dow made a. golden oblong against the darkness.
 AS she started up the saggng wooden steps. a sudden sharp sound broke the nighttime stilness-the sound of a screen door being slam med.
 Merry knew that that was Derrick Jones' way of letting her know that he had been watching her all this time. She shrugged her shoulders. and went into the house.
 I'm through with him, anyway" she said carelessly to herself. Through with him for good. with him, and everybody like him."
 She slipped off her shoes. and ,rept on her stockinged feet mp the stairs and reached her own room in safety.
 Jimmy, in her little pink night gown and bedroom slippers, was sit ing before the open window tinker ng with the radio she was trying 10 make
 She looked up, as Merry came in and put one finger 10 her lips,
 Mons on the war path" she "She saw you come home with the Mysterious Stranger, and
 But before she had time to finish. Noms had flung wide the door and vas standing in the opening.
 She was wrapped in her faded old oathrobe, but she had pulled on her and shoes. Her eyes were blazing. A spot of color burned on either cheek bone.
 T was just coming down for you, ny lady." she cried furiously. What do you mean by coming home tt this hour of the night?"
 Merry opened innocent eyes. This lour of the night?" she repeated why Mons, it's only ten o'clock"'
 Don't you talk back to me- Mons snapped. "Who was the men yho brought you home?"
 Merry looked questioningly at Jin- ". She wondered how much she lad told her mother about the .vening's adventure. But Jinny's lead was bent low over the radio, md she was whistling under her breath as If she were alone in the oom.
 The very idea Of your letting omeonc you never saw before bring ou home in his automob Mons oice rose high and indignant. | What if lion did break loose in 1 he tent? A strange man can be d ot more dangerous than q circus ion, let me tell you, And you houldn't have gone to the circus, n the first place."
 :ierry sat down on the edge Of | Ter bed and began to slip out of her l lothcs. Sometimes. when Mons be- 1 an to scold, she kept it up for a | cry long time, and Merry was leepy and wanted to go to bed.
 She tried to shut her ears to the | ound of Mons high-pitched voice.
 Why did you do it?" was the next l ll4IS SlIt IIttltu lltl oCi " ciib bNi q lOIIb ! ow of angry words. "Why did you | 70 such a dangerous and dreadful | hing? You knew it was wrong, l idn't you?"
 q knew what was wrong?" Merry 1 sked.
 Mons made a gesture Of despair. |
 "Why. what you did, of course." he all but shrieked, ''joy riding | ome with a stranger!"
 Merry breathed a long sigh. He | rasnt a stranger" she answered. l I've known him for a long time. | md he's a friend Of Casse's, be- | ides. He brought her home from york this afternoon"
 Mons looked tlabbergasted.
 "Who Is he" she asked after q | ong pause. Whats his namc?"
 Merry bit her lip. For the first | ime 1t occurred to her that she had ! orgotten to ask the Man in Gray his |