New Britain herald., 1927-09-16
CHAPTER LNIN

pointing dramatically at Beau's llt- tie red car standing in the drive way.
 Yes What about iJ?" asked Sal ly, taking the baby from her and carrying it into the dining room, where d small fire sent it's warmth into the chilly air of the old house.
 Well, Beau thinks it's stolen- that's what" Mabel sniveled. "He took t out last night, and I found it where he had left it in the street and drove it to a garage near our flat She dropped down into a chair and began 10 wipe her eyes and the end Of her small pink nose.
 Aunt Elm suddenly appeared in the doorway.
 What's wrone?" she asked, scent ing bad news with her unfailug in stinct for 1t.
 sally, always doing her best to protect Beau, tried to motion 10 Mabel to be still about him. But Mabel either did not see her, or diH not want 10 see her, for she went on:
 "Everything's all wrong, Auntio Elm. Beau's been kiting around with some girl, and last night I fol- lowed him to her house His car was standing out in the street in front Of it, and l took it. This morn- ing he left the flat without telling me that his car had been stolen ! l,1 1x- t,1 came here to you and Sally. I'm go- ing 10 stay with you from now or. Sally can go back 10 the flat for my things. They're all packed"
 Aunt Ems face began to look like a thunder storm, battlcfiold, and q cyclone all in one. "Oh, no, you're not going to stay here, my lady" said Aunt Elm with firmness and conviction. You're going right back where you came from-and I'm Fo ing to tell you why you're going"
 She pulled out q chair, and sat down upon the very edge of it. 'Rc- member, before I begin. that l know more about the mon in the Jerome family than you do," she started off i've lived with them all my life, and most of them have been just like Beau-weak and lazy and shiftless. They need manaeihg. Now, do you want me to tell you how to manage Beau?"
 Mabel was silent. Her little face was sullen, and she kicked her heels against the beautiful old chair in which she was sitting.
 Well. I'll tell you whether you want to hear it or not" Aunt Elm said brightly. "The trouble with you, Mabel, is that you started all wrong in your married life. You never should have worked a day in an of fee after you became Beaus wife. You should have become q clrrin% vine-a very clingins vine. You should have thrown all the respon- sibility on Beau. You should have given him a real joh---a job of talk have had time to run after other women, and he wouldn't have had any money to spend on them"
 "No." agreed Mabel coming out Of her sulk.
 Well, then. you'd better go back home and start 10 be a clirGing vine right away,' advised Aunt Elm with quick nod Of her head. "Youd bet ter quit your job today, and spend the whole day making your flat clean and comfortable, and washing your head and painting up your face. Land knows I don't believe in paint for most folks, but you need it today, Mabel"
 Mabel did. Her little, face was pale-gray from loss of sleep and hours of crying. Her mouth was colorless, and it dropped. Mabel was q perfect picture of the reason hus- bands leave home.
 What do you thing, Sally" she asked, turning t6 her pretty sister, in-law
 T think Aunt I'm is right" an- swered Sally, promptly.
 But while she spoke she was thinking that Mrs. Jerome had al ways been a clinging vine. and that Beau's father had not taken care of her very well. In his way, he had been more ncglcctful than Beau
 After Mabel was gone, taking 2 large basket filled with cold fried chicken and grape jam turnovers with her, she spoke 10 Aunt Emily about it.
 My mother did just the thing you're advising Mabel to do," she said uncertainty, She clung-and my father left her. Suppose Beau leaves Nabel?"
 Aunt Elm gave a bark of laughter that was not real laughter at ali.
 He won't" she said with spirit. Hes crazy about Mabel, and she $ smarter than. hell ever be. If shc only us1s her hc@d she can keep Brau all h.r litt--tied to her like d