New Britain herald., 1928-09-24

thought l ought. l thought you needed me. thought you wou A be sorry. and that we would start alF over again"
 "Sorry!" he aneered.
 "Yes. sorry," abe went on evenly. But l zee now that l was mistaken. Perhaps it h because you are still intoxicated that ,oJ are talking this way. Perhaps you WILL be sorry in the morning.
 I'm going to be fair with you. Rich. Tomorrow will be another day. You're not in any condition to talk tonight.
 Il won't stay with you. Prob ably you don't want me to. l guess you hate me now. I'll 90 to the Ingla Terra. and you can come to see me in the morning."
 You'll do nothing of the sort. What do you think anna poor worm? Letting my wife 70 gali- wanting off. ."
 T don't know how you're going to stop me. Rich."
 She was still carrying her small travelling bag.
 ''See = I'm quite ready. I've got plenty of money. and I'm not at all afraid of you"
 Suddenly his manner changed.
 Don't go, Sib. For Gods sake, don't so. I've been rotten to you, ! know. My nerves are all shot, Sib. I shouldn't drink-I know l shouldn't. But you don't know how 1t is. when a mans system craves the stuff. Sybil-there are times when l want a drink % much that it hurts. I get SICK wanting it. It's the only thing that sets me up. And then-you know yourself how it is, dear. No one ever means to take too much. I swear I'd rather cut off my right hand than act the way I've acted. couldn't help 1t, Sib. l simply couldn't help it,"
 He sank into . chair, and groaned aloud.
 There isn't more miserable man in the world. Don't hate me, dear. You're all have. I need you so."
 He was pitiful. Like | little boy. worn out with temper, sobbing his remorse.
 Tad was like that when he was small. She remembered his unsov- ernable rages, and the way he cried afterward. and promised to be good. And the sweet, pathetic little things he did to make amends. He was such naughty boy - and 90 en- dearing. Their mother had been instantly forgiving. But she re- membered how stern their -ather was.
 "You'll never cure him that way" he had demonstrated. "A spanking would do him more good than kisses. It's wrong to coddle tenn per- Be firm with him. Mother. It's for his own good.''
 It was hard to be firm with Rich-as hard as 1t had been for her mother to be firm with Tad. There was something very pathetic about Richard, promising 10 be good. Telling her he needed her. She felt like & wicked matron in an orphan asylum. But her deci- sion this time was final.
 ''It's for his own good" ahe re- flected. He's got to stand on is own feet.".
 And steelinE her heart to the hurt in his eyes, she spoke reso- lutely.
 "I'm sorry. Rich. You can come over in the morning"
 Don't leave me, sib."
 He took a bottle from the window sill - behind the curtains. where she had not seen 1t - and poured himself a generous drink.
 'I need it." he apologized. "l'll feel better for it."
 She shuddered.
 That settles it, Rich. I'm going now"
 But you don't understand. dear. A little drink sets a fellow up, after he's had too much. The sys- tenn craves it. It's only a stimu- lant. Sib-like medicine
 Have it your own way" she conceded wearily. Goodnight, Rich. Do you want to kiss me?"
 kiss you?" he cried. "Of course I want to kiss you. never want to do anything else! An, Sybil dear, I'm crazy about you. You