New Britain herald., 1928-10-02

own. and 1t was Tad who per- suaded her at last to stay at home.
 Tt seems to me-" ho sr d, that 1t would he . cowardly thing to hide somewhere. Like . con- fession of fear-fear of what peo- pie arc going to say. Hold up your head. Si5. There's nothing like facing the music. And tell them all to 50 to the devil!"
 As soon as the announcements were out, the news began to per- colate.
 "sybil Thorne's going to have a baby"
 "A baby? My dear, what are you talking about! just got an announcement of her marriage"
 "Well!"
 You don't mean it?"
 'I certainly do. Next April [ heard"
 Women telephoned each other at all hours of the day and night. At bridge parties they forgot to play cards. They met one another for luncheon. and their food grew cold while they talked. The most arrogant of them went to see het. With incredulous exclamations and small gifts they invaded her privacy.
 One day she bundled together five little jackets. six pairs of booties. four baby dresses em- broidered in Madeira. and a knit bonnet or two. Tying them around with blue satin carriage ribbon. she laid them on the blazing logs in the library fireplace. And while they burned she held a tiny band of silk and wool. all shrunk with tears, to her lips, and laughed excitedly.
 Look" she cried, when Tad came in and found her crouched over the ashes. i've burned all the tickets Of admission my friends bought to come to look at me-"
 Winter dragged on. such a long. long winter. Sybil was very beauti- full. but there was no one to see her somber loveliness but her moth- CT. and Tad and Valerie. Her eyes seemed to grow larger. and in their tragic depths there was a sort of Madonna beauty.
 She moved quietly with sort of heavy. peasant grace. And she wore a blue smock of soft wool the color of wild flowers in the country She looked womanly and full of grace. She seldom went out. being extremely conscious of all that was being said
 Once Craig came 10 call. but she sent down word that she was out After that he left flowers with his card occasionally. but never again asked to see her.
 came. And forsythia waving yellow banners. Crocuses. and gay red tulips. and purple hyacinths.
 Sybil lay quietly in small white bed in q big white hospital. The crisp curtains at her window rustled like a small girls pert petticoats. Spring. with the breath of lilacs. stole through the open windoW--and the little bundle at her side walled a mournful vail. . . Such d funny little bundle.
 Sybil cradlel it on her arm. poked timidly at the white cloths that swaddled it. They fell back. revealing a small red face. with d bit of nose in the middle of it. There were tight little wrinkles that would undoubtedly disclose eyes later. and a noisy, busy mouth that seemed large for the rest of the features. The head was covered with soft black hair.
 A nurse appeared in the door way. pleasantly professional.
 ''lt's the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.'' she said. And absolutely perfect"
 Sybil smiled palely, ''le's just too beautiful." she said, and gazed worshipingly on her son.
 Your brother is here" an- nounced the nurse briskly. He may come in for just moment if you'll promise not to talk"
 Tad came on tiptoe. after the fashion of meh approaching e- cent mothers. He held a brown fetl hat awkwardly. rolling. the brim, and seemed quite distrait and embarrassed. His face was flushed, and he applied his hand