New Britain herald., 1928-10-02
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She laughed nervously. Il sup pose-if we weren't so polite-you you'd beat me soundly. You don't hate me, Craia?"
 He shook his head.
 II think I'll go away next month.' She pressed her fingers 10 her mouth to quiet the trembling of her lips. Until May"
 ITO .. him?"
 "Oh. no = no! Craig. you don't understand. He doesn't know. I haven't seen him-since Havana. I don't want EVER to see him again."
 They were quiet then.
 People will probably say dread ful things" she hazaxded. at last.
 T suppose SO, he agreed.
 He Was thinking of their crowd. Dolly Weston and the Graysons. Valerie and her friends. and the righteous Mrs. West. And all the drinking. loose clique at the coun- try club, People who commit only conventional sins are always in tolerant of the unconventionalists.
 You poor little kid" he said. as he thought upon their wasging tongues.
 "oh. Craig, you're wonderful. You're so good you hurt, I-Id al- most rather you SLAPPED me-"
 Sybil was trembling violently.
 "M my teeth are oh chat tering. I'm so shivery,'
 Nervous reaction" he told her, and bundled her into her coat. Then he called a cao. to take her home. He tucked her in warmly. and gratefully she pillowed her head on his shoulder. His arm about her shoulders held her close.
 The steps at her house were icy. and, lest she slip. he carried her to the door, There he shook hands. and stood for minute, speeches.. with barred head. and his face as wlntry as the night.
 Aren't you going to kiss me?' she cried.
 She raised her head. and he touched her lips lightly with his.
 Good night. little girl"
 She let herself in quietly. The house was dark, and cold. and cheerless. She tiptoed upstairs. and down the hall to her room. In- dressing in the dark. she crawled into bed. and curled up. 10 keep warm, like d child, with her arms about her knees.
 Then. in the cold and the dark tears came-and all the bitter sor- row and regrets that come at mid night to tired women, alone with their thoughts.
 Valerie suggested q trip 10 South ! Carolina. Sybil herself felt that it i would be better to go away some- where. But Mrs. Thorne, after con- sulting Mir, Brandon. felt that noth- ing would be gained by secrecy.
 At three p. m. on January second l Mrs. Thorne told her psyche analyst all about it. She had gone to him directly from the store, where she had ordered, of a, discreet clerk l 500 hclated announcements of her daug hter's marriage. :" Mrs. Edward Thorne announces the mar riage of her daughter, Sybil. :"
 Don't you think we had b tier date them July?" she had asked tsarfully of Tad.
 But Mother" expostulated SybiI, 'I didn't know him in July - hadn't even met him."
 Valerie shrugged her shoulders eloquently.
 'I'll drive you down town, Mother" she offered. And ou can take taxi 10 MT. Crandon's." 1 The afternoon sun was slanting across the crimson rug in Mir. Cran- don's consultation room. In the al cove beyond a maid was busying herself with tea cups and delft 1 cracker jar. There were spicy carna- tlons in a blue vase. and crack | ling fire, and q kettle humming on | the crane.
 Mir. Crandon had learned that T confidential atmosphere is a de cided aid 10 psyche. He drew q | Boston rocker a little nearer the blaze. and helped Mrs. Thornc off with her moleskin wrap.
 '1 must have your help" Mrs | 1horne said. settling turkey red