New Britain herald., 1927-04-08

operation of his lawn moving and mopped his sweat at-dripping brow.
 "Whew," he breathed explosive ly. Tt is hot. ain't it."
 He clattered away and the girl resettled in the swing, enjoying the self-righteousness Of having effected at least some small kindness with out much eXertion. Her eyes turned aimlessly toward the honeysuckle side the porch. Their scent, mingled with the still hot air reached her once in awhile. But, for the most part there was not even the sugges- tion Of a breeze.
 'Lunchon ban re'ddy, Mees Brokes."
 II was Gretta with her atrocious pronunciation. She withdrew silent ly and Diana rose. She wasn't hun gry. But 1t wasn't altogether the heat that causedw her lack Of appe- tite nor was it the cause of her list lessness. There was something wrong with the inner woman, she knew.
 Gretta had set a table in the breakfast room. It was shady In there and breezier than in the din- ing room.
 "Salad-sherbet and lemon. Col ly! Just tn kind of a luncheon in this heat---''
 Lola was enthusins over the food. the drinks. as Gretta moved in and out as daintily as a hippopotamus in a conservatory.
 T don't seem to be able 10 work up any ambition about anything lately" said Diana wearl,y.
 Its tn heat" decleared Lola with fine originality smackins her red lips over q heaping dessert spoonful Of raspberry sherbet.
 "No. l don't think so. I'm not sub ject to it. That is. can't remember ever feeling quite as depressed as this"
 How would a nice cold high ball go-with a stiff kick of Scotch in it?' Suggested Lola with 8 view to tantalze.
 Ugh! don't think I'll ever want another alcoholic drink as long as I live!" replied Diana, wiggling her shoulders in an imitation shiver.
 Become a tee-tote-ler, Dia ?''
 Ooh. n-no, l wouldn't go so far as to say that. exactly. But. y know, I came close 70 hitting tn other ex- treme that night of tn dance. y re- member, an 1t didn't pan out so well. A surfeit Of sweet things an all that, y know"
 "Oh, yes-about Walden" Lola's eyes narrowed. But you can't say you had any fault 10 find with tn way Don treated you after ward, can you? He cert-nly vas er-wonderfully sweet and-so comforting, -brotherly."
 Lola drawled out the latter part of her speech ending up with a vicious twist of her lip.
 Diana flushed.
 Tess mp. Dia. Was that a big brother kiss he slipped you when he left you at daybreak at tn front door?" There was a taunting sheer on Lola's lovely face.
 How do--do you know about that?' asked Diana, startled.
 "Oh, just by pure chance, dearie. couldn't Sleep and when I heard a car stop down tn street ! looked out, And I saw you two come up tn walk and-then. , . Oh, oh! But, tell me, Dia, was 1t just friendly caress?"
 Diana rose from the table with an eir of injured dignity she was far from feeling. But she had to de- clare herself.
 Don't be vulgar, Lola" she said coldly.
 The other smiled mirthless smile. bit her lip and then raised her shoulders in her best imitation Of a Partisan shrug. The action spelled out whole treatise on sophistication, all the snake ever told Eve and what Eve told her best friend.
 '1'm going to try an cool off In a drive" she said rising. "I'll take tn runabout. See you at dinner"
 (TO BE CONTINUED)
 Is Djana's intuition of disaster