New Britain herald., 1927-02-16

| on display. Lavender - her favor ite color. Farther on a confectioner's win dow held her with its offerings fol Valentines day-a rose-and-siivel heart filled with milk chocolates A cccoanut cake. fat and rich ant covered with red candy hearts. AT open box of salted almonds
 Next door was 8 gown shop, vitf one dress exhibited in the window A darling little dress of oyster white silk. with tiny bows of dull blue velvet all down the front oi it, and a roll of the same velvet around the bottom of the skirt.
 Shoes were in the next window White sport shoes with green or scarlet leather trimmings. Silver slippers for evening wear. Little lace trimmed satin mules for. the bedroom. Deauville sandals, and beach sandals, painted with bright colors.
 She tried to look away from them as she thought of the little purse that lay, flat as burned pancake, in the bottom of her bag. They were net for her-the little high heeled shoes, the lavender beads, the oyster-white silk dresses with blue bows. Not for her!
 What l ought to be buying is zwieback and instant coffee TOT breakfast tomorrow morning. she told herself grimly, and started across the street to the market at the corner of Cahuenga street.
 It was then that she saw Gus She couldn't believe her eyes at first. She had not heard of his leaving the hospital near Laguna Beach-and here he was! Not ten feet from her!
 He was coming toward her, with the sun in his eyes, and his face lit with a, broad welcoming smile. And, as he reached her, he took both of her hands in his, and pumped them up and down wildly.
 Been looking all over Holly wood for you for an hour-frem Western avenue to Beverly Hills" he said breathlessly. Where you heen?"
 Robbie couldn't answer. Her heart seemed to have risen to her throat, and begun to beat there frantically. Tears came into her eyes-tears of shock and the kind of sudden joy that is exactly like sudden pain.
 She shrugged her shoulders and looked away down the boulevard with eyes that saw nothing but a blur of sunlight.
 Gus tucked her arm under his, and she followed him around the corner, scarcely realizing where she was going. She knew simply that she was with him again. and that it seemed far far too good to be true. She was dazed, but she was magnificently happy, just the same.
 His car was parked halfway down the block. Not the old eream-col- ored roadster, but new one that was eaIated the dark green of laurel leaves It had green leath- CT seats and bright new nickel trimmings.
 At the sight of that new car, bought no doubt to take the blaze of the one that had been wrecked. her senses seemed to ceme back to her. She turned, with one small foot on the step of the car. and raised brown troubled eyes to Gus bright blue ones.
 Tell me-was that story in the paper true? Are you and Monica engaged? Were you oh your way to Santa Ana to be married-that day? Tell mel"
 But Gus shook his head, with it's smoothly brushed blond hair. He laughed.
 Get in the carl" he said shortly.
 No! Tell me first." She was rot going to go for any drive with him if he was engaged to Monica or to any other girl, She might be crazy about him, but she wasn't that crazy! No. indeed! She shook her head.
 Get in. or I'll throw you in," he threatened cheerfully.
 And then, as she shook her head again, he made good his threat. He picked her up bodily and fairly threw her down on the soft green leather cushions of the car.
 He hoped in after her as swift ly and easily. as If he never had known how hard hospital bed can be, or how long a night and day in a hospital can last!
 There. now, that's what you get for telling me what you aren't go- ing to dol" he said with a sharp nod of his head, as they started off "Of course, I'm not engaged to Monica. That was just a news paper yarn and you've known 1t all along. It was just a good press agent story for Magnifica Studios"
 But Robbie hadn't known that it was a press-agent yarn Except for moment or two of doubt. she had believed the story.
 q thought it was straight goods. she told him quietly. That's why I didn't go 10 see you in the hos pital, OF send you a book or any thing"
 "Oh, ! wasn't hurt much. Just shaken up, and cut around the scalp q bit.'
 He slid one arn, along the seat behind her, and pressed her shoul- der with his fingers, What have you been deing?"
 Preaching Jolly her letters"
 He gave her quick glance like the blue spurt of lighted match. No studio worko"
 She shook her head, her eyes downcast. Not single call from anybody"
 Suddenly she half-turned in the