New Britain herald., 1927-02-14

door of the am-colored road. ster. I've got job for you-a ,real job"
 He told her what the job was as the car nosed its way out to- ward Beverly Boulevard and the beach.
 CHAPTER XXXV1Il
 Where are we going?" Robbie asked as they swept along in the hot yellow sunlight.
 She knew very we'll where they were going. She knew perfectly 1 that Gus was taking her to lonely l hilltop that looked down upon the ovean just beyond Santa Monica, and she didn't want to go there.
 It was too lonely. for one thing. It was the sort of place where a man and girl could make love for hours without being seen by any, one or anything except the wheel ing sea-gulls.
 For another thing - 1t was fairly alive with memories, that Hilltop It was there that Gus had told Ter l first that he was in love with her. It was there that he had kissed her mtny, many times, but hadn't asked her to marry him when he should : be free. No The hilltop was no place for the two of them, any more. Not now, since they had sworn off all love-making!
 Gus" she said, "J haven't had anything to eat. I couldn't touch a bite of my lunch, up there with that bad kid. Take me down to | Chinatown, to that place you've been telling me abol. for so lo'g."
 Instantly, as if he knew why she had said that, Gus began to su!k. ! Showed it by his sudden and heavy frown, and his injured air. 1 But he turned the big car at the next cross-street and started back toward the heart of the town. All f right" he said peevish!y.
 But he reached for her hand. after quarter mile or so of dead silence. and crushed it under lis | on the scat between thlm.
 T wanted 10 be alone, where I could talk to you today" he said sullenly.
 Robbie laughed. Well, aren't we alone?"
 | You know we aren't. All the ] people and the cars going by" He ! waved his arm toward them. then brought his hand quickly back to the wheel.
 , Robbie drew her hand from un- der his. But the touch of him, light and brief as it was, made her glow as if the warmth and the sun shine of the day had penetrated to her very heart. She sighed. Don't touch me. Gus" she said. "Remember that we promised our selves that we wouldn't do that sort of thing. Old Marrie:1 Man" But while she said it, she was long ing to put her arms around him and her head on his shoulder. She knew that if they had been alorc at that moment. she would have done it. too. She wouldn't lave been able to help herself. For after all, women are not the marble statues that people of another gen. eration believed them to be, but warm, throbbing flesh and blood, longing for the comfort of love and understanding from one an- other.
 They had lunch in Chinese restaurant on the second floor of an old red brick building i'll China town. There was no one in it put themselves and the slant"eyed waiter who knew Gus and called him Long Time"
 Gus ordered birds nest soup and egg foo yung and canslied fruits tor Bibbie. who ate them all. He touched nothing, but drank hot tea and whiskey from silver flask that he took from his pocket.
 Food" he said, looking solemn ly at Boobies plate, lis the curse of the drinking race" "Ever bring any other girls here? Ever bring Monicao" Robbie asked him.
 He scowled and didn't answer.
 "Now, about the business in hand" he began when they had eaten and were sipping hot tea from tiny enameled cups. "Roy's taking his company down to La guna beach on vacation tomorrow. We're to be gone for two weeks. niPp little part for you if you want it. Long distance swim of mile. could you do it?"
 Robbie shook her head. and a troubled look shadowed her face.
 Never. Gus" she answered. T couldn't do a half mile. I'd sink. sure as anything, and have to be lescued-"
 Could you do quarter of a mile?'
 She shook her head once more. "1d be afraid to try it."
 Gus flicked off the gray end of his cigar.
 Well, come along, anyway, and we'll see what you can do,' he said, not looking at her. We're going to drive down, and we leave about noon tomorrow. I'll take you in my car, if you aren't afraid of Icing talked about" His tone was sarcastic.
 He called the waiter, tipped him, and got up to go.
 Well, now that that's settled, we may as well go and gamble a lit ! tile. Ever play the Chinese gam bling game?"
 ! They were at the head of the long dark stairway that led to the | street, and as Robbie turned to an- ! swer him. he caught her in his 1 nrr1s and kissed her She could