New Britain herald., 1927-01-25

trude until now.
 l And besides, I should like to take | secretarial course at busi- ness school this winter" Aunt Gertrude explained. If you were out of the way. could easily take care of your father without any trouble and take my course. too. I want to learn how to earn my liv- ing by doing something besides housework!"
 She shook her head grossly at the walls of the house where she had slaved for so many. many years.
 I've always wanted to be . business woman," she went on with a quick nod. For years I've been waiting for chance to take a business course."
 Just as I've been waiting f r years to get a whack at Holly wood!" Robbie chimed in. T tell you. Aunt Gertie, you cant keep a good woman down." "Hollywood!" echoed Aunt Ger trude in a hollow tone. Holly wood?" Her eyes stared in sur prise, and the corners of her mouth went down suddenly as if an un- seen string jerked them down.
 "Why. yes. Mrs. Murrage Is going to Hollywood. She said so," Bob- bic answered. That's the lovely part of the whole thing - that Nm l Oo;p = to vef fhare af 1astln
 The happiness in her face as she spoke was not reflected in her aunt's face. It remained solemn and heavy.
 Well, if Mrs. Burrage is going to Hollywood. I don't think you'd better go with her." she said slow ly, T certainly didn't suppose for one second that she was going l to Hollywood Robert! Robert! Come here a minute" l There was a creak in the hall, and then the dining room door opened. and Mir. Ransom came in looking shame-faced as he always |, did when he had ''sneaked off to the Widow Parkins' house without | letting Aunt Gertrude know he was going.
 Robert, sit down!" commanded Aunt Gertrude, and then turned to Robbie:
 Robbie. tell your father about Mrs. Burrage."
 Robbie did.
 "You can't go," Mr. Ransom said decidedly, when she had finished. T don't want you to go away from home for six months. Especially to place like Hollywood. No, you can't go. I won't have it." He shook his gray head. Now, you may say it was silly for a girl as old as Robbie Ransom to sit perfectly still and let her father and her aunt' plan herlfu- 1 She was twenty-two. An age when a great many women are married and mothers of baby or two.
 Moreover, she was a woman of education and sense = school teacher who knew how to hold her own among other school teachers. | But Robbie Ransom was two dis tinct people. At school she was Miss Ransom,' a capable up-to- date young woman who knew what she was doing and why she was doing it.
 At home she was Bob bie"- and 1 to Aunt Gertrude and her father she was still the same small girl whom they had raised from help less babyhood. A small girl, un- able to make her own decisions. And 50 they were utterly at sea l second later when Robbie got up from the table and faced them, | white faced and stormy-eyed.
 How do you propose to stop me, | Dad?" she asked. And the very question seemed to open a gulf be- | tween her and the other two peo- ! pie in the room. From across 1t, they stared at her in astonishment.
 "why-why-why." MT. Ransom | stammered. T just won't allow you to go.'
 If I were going any place but Hollywood you would let me go, wouldn't you?" she asked coldly and clearly.
 He shook his head. "A girls place is at home until she mar ries," he said gravely. "A girl should go straight from her fath- CTS care to her husbands" Robbie laughed. Stuff and non- sense!" she answered. You won't get very far believing old-fashioned bunk like that, Dad. Maybe 'hey l treated women like that when you were young-but it doesn't go any more. Women do as they please these days, and they don't ask any body's permission, either!"
 MT. Ransom looked helplessly at his strong minded sister.
 "Oh, it's true" Robbie went on gaily. "Even Aunt Gertrude is getting ready to SOW a wild oat. She's going to study to be a ste- nographer this winter"
 "A secretary" corrected Aunt Gertrude.
 MT. Ransom did not seem to hear her. He was still looking at his beautiful daughter in baffled puzzled way.
 You'd better go and telephone Mrs, Burrage that you can't. go with her, or I shall" he said as if she had been 10 years old and ex- tremely naughty.
 Again Robbie laughed.
 DO as you please" ]" she told him airily, "it won't do you any good. Because I am going over to see her. and I'll tell her not to pay any attention to you. So you'll only be making fool of yourself if you talk to her.
 She turned to go.
 Robbie, what's got into you?" | he asked holding the knob of the