New Britain herald., 1926-10-19

with her deep shrewd eyes. She came into the room and shut the heavy paneled door behind her.
 What's wrong?" she asked quietly in her low rich voice.
 Honey Lou could not have an- swered if her life had depended upon it. Her throat Was dry and aching and she knew that if she opened her lips she was going to burst into tears.
 Evidently The Head knew it, too, after one look at her. For she gave her a little nod, and said quickly: Please humor him. Remember he's sick"
 Without quite knowing how 1t happened, Honey Lou found herself back in her chair. The Head was bending over Jacks father hold ing the glass of orange juice to his lips.
 Now, please, Papa, take this" she was saying firmly. You didn't touch a moutlrful of breakfast, and you must take this. The doctor says you may have some spinach and lettuce salad for lunch"
 "He can save his breath" " Grumpy answered. scowling horri- bly. T told him I'd eat no more of his grass diet. IT have some meat or I'll have nothing I'm starving, and if he had any brains he'd see it"
 Then, to Honey Lou's utter sur prise, he began to drink the orange juice that he had just sworn he would not touch.
 Above his head, his wife's black eyes met Honey Lou's in a look of triumph.
 When she had gone, Grumpy clipped the end from large black cigar, struck a match to it. and tuSfed it for a minute or two in silence.
 Hon Lou" he said presently, "T 10 think you're good enough for Jack. You're good enough for any DOllN, "4ltll IL NOli4No NO IIltil. IL U I won't have him pestering you Ann Ludlow tells me he's been talk ing you out, every now and then, since he's been down at the mills Is that true?"
 Honey Lou nodded her shining brown-gold head.
 "Yes, it is" she answered. 'I've been worked up over him like a - like 8 bach of home brew, for perfect ages"
 Grumpy's little eyes twinllled He always enjoyed hearing Honey Lou break into the slang that adorned her soft speech.
 Well, that's just it." he said and his gruff voice was kindly He knows he hasn't any business fool ing around with you-or with any girl, but Miss Allen next door You know her?"
 Again Honey Lou gave a little bobbing nod of her head.
 She once told me not to takf Jack seriously" she said in 6 smothere voice.
 You see? That's because she knows that If Jack ever marie: anybody he'll marry her. At leasi he ought to-" Grumpy told her Hes kept her waiting Ions enough-trying his hand first al law, and then at selling automo. piles, and finally settling down witt me at the mills the way he should have. years ago. Well, l wont have him bothering you, anyway"
 He doesn't bother mel" Honey Lou cut in. He hasn't seen me more than three times in the last three months. We hardly speak She stopped.
 well, let's see, you were start. ing q letter." she went on, opening h pad. 'Bingham and Bingham Shall we go on?" She saw nov that he had meant only to be kinC to her. But she couldn't go or talking. about Jack-not even tc him
 Her work was over at noon i when his tray came up with hi | lunch on it.
 She left him cursing his lucl and making faces like @ child, a he chewcd the spinach and thu lettuce that he had promised him self he would not eat.
 As she went down the wide stair way that led to the lower hall Honey Lou had a glimpse of silve and mahogany and lace in the din 1 ing room on her right.
 To the left of the hall was tn living room. Honey Lou glancc' into it as she passed.
 It was a big bright room witl French windows that came to tn floor, and 1t seemed to be fillet with flowers, A canary trilled Il