New Britain herald., 1928-09-14

 pretense of cheerfulness before each other. Sometimes Sybil thought the effort was more wearing than natural grief would have been. Emo tions repressed during the day have a way. she discovered. of bursting forth at night
 She used to lie on her back. after she had gone to bed. with her arms crossed over her face. to smother the sobs. During the day she pre- served an assumed gaiety. so sue cessful that sometimes her mother, looking at her mournfully, would declare: "Sakes alive. Sybil, no one would ever guess your poor father hasn't been in his grave month. The way you go on, child, Talking and laughing-my goodness It doesn't seem right''
 Her little tirades annoyed Sybil, who had grown to treat her mother like an irritable child. The unfor- tunate woman took very little in- terest in life.
 The least I can do." thought Sybil. lis to be patient with her" Letters from Valerie were always an epoch. Lucky Valerie. coming home to their wonderful Tad. sybil when the letters came. reused her self to artificial eagerness.
 She wished that Valerie would find something to write about be- sides clothes, and Tots of rich Americans" and the thrills of Paris Girlish enthusiasms were beginning to nauseate Sybil. She knew that she actively disliked Valerie.
 She wondered if her dislike was | tinged with jealousy Valerie was so young and so happy. Valerie hat not been beaten by life. Life. indeed i had smiled on her in passing, and scarcely touched her at all. Sybil felt fantastically. that Valerie lived 1T a sort of aura of lovely colors- rosy. golden shades. touched witt dawns and sunsets. While she Sybil-lived in clouds of heavy blacl an dsullen grays through which sht plodded tragically. while Valerie danced.
 Read it. Tad" begged his mother 'out loud to Sybil and me"
 Just a minute-let me glance through it first myself"
 ''Oh. you sweethearts," admonish ! cd Ia f,J11 ity,-,f lovey- dovey letters.' He read it through, and stuffed f 1 in his pocket.
 'Lord." he exclaimed. T JUS happened to think Tom Tender sons waiting for a phone call iron | me. Excuse me a minute, will you O
 The telephone was upstairs. Tn ; moment he was down again.
 "Awfully sorry, Mother. but must run down to see Tom He waiting for me. I'll have a bit downtown somewhere. and I'll b. home early. Sorry have to leav you"
 The women began their meal il silence. Dallying with her salad. Mrs Thorne looked up hesitantly
 Did you think" she asked tremu lously. that Tad acted sort o funny about that letter? You don suppose there's anything wrong. d. you, Sybil? Sometimes I've won dered if Valerie isn't just 3 littl selfish And Tad's such good bo it seems like I couldn't bear any thing.
 There were tears in her eyes, an she raised her napkin unsteadily t her trembling lips.
 "Oh, Nuns" Sybil slipped fror her chair to put I consoline arr about her mothers slender shouI ders. You're looking for an angt for your wonderful Tad There isn q girl on earth really good enoug for him-and we're the ladies vh know it-aren't we. darling?'' Privately Sybil had her own fore bodings. and they made her some how more tender of Tad Poor lit tle Taddy." she said within he heart. Poor little devil" and kisse his suits when they came home fror the taiIors. and smoothed them To, ingly as she hung them away
 In bed that night she swore soft ly. and made 2 fierce small praye If she hurts Tad, I'll pay her bacl I swear I will"
 The wedding was three week away.
 Anything" decided Sybll cros' ing her arms beneath her head. an speculating grimly. can happen three weeks Maybe Val will e1oI with a count
 CTo Be CNntinued)
 Valerie didn't elope with 3 eoun