New Britain herald., 1928-10-09

on the stage. Then Sybil. appre-
hensive OF the trouble her temper
might cause. hurried in town to re-
late the afternoons developments
to her lawyer.
MIR. Peterson listened gravely,
but she saw the twinkle in his wise
old eyes
Good girl.' he approved judi
cially when she finished. ut takes
an angry woman to handle a must
cal comedy detective properly. You
needn't worry about any warrant.
He wouldn't let anybody know you
struck him, for all his cheap talk.
He will keep that right under his
tin hat-and he'l lie his head off
about the mark on his face. But,
after this, refer all rats to me.
don't want you talking with them
at. all.
CHAPTER XNXVIU
Mr. Crandon was always interested
in divorces. They furnished proof of
his contention that Sex was at the
bottom OF very nearly everything.
"Mm nm" he said, and nodded
gravely. as Mrs. Thorne recounted
the latest phases OF the situation.
"Sybil,' he continued ominously,
lis at a particularly dangerous age.
The Reckless Age ] call it. She has
outlived the diftident and bashful
period of girlhood."
'But Sybil was never diffident,"
interrupted Mrs. Thorne. nor
bashful."
Mr.. Crandon siIenced her with a
polite glance.
"Girlhood Is always shy" he in
formed her. Jazz and gin. and all
that sort of thing" - he raised his
eyebrows TO indicate repugnance of
youths foIlies- they are nothing
but gestures of defiance and indie
pendence. As was saying. your
daughter has outli,ed the shyness
OF girlhood, and has yet to achieve
the prudence and circumspection of
middle age. Women Of her age are
always rash. They see ahead of
them the end .of youth. and that
sends them hurtling down the prim-
rose path.
your daughter. very likely.
Graves the love life that circum-
stances have denied her. and is pre-
pared to cast aside all the inhibi-
tons and repressions imposed by
convention. Proof of the strength
OF her desires lies in her willing
ness to flaunt the tale of her mar
riage in society's decorous face
Mrs. Thorne fidgeted uncomfort
ably.
II am sure" she corrected him
primly, that my daughter does
not crave a love life"
"Unconsciously. Mrs. Thorne-
unconsciously. Mr.. Crandon as
sured her. women are always
torn between the cravings of the
primitive ego and the restrictions
put upon those cravings by the con-
ventions of society"
"Oh, dear. Oh, dear"
Mrs. Thorne drew a black-bor
dered handkerchief from her little
black silk bag. and pulled the rib
bon strings together nervousiy.
II don't know what I'm going to
do" she faltered. "Sybil never was
one to listen to her mother. and
now with her poor father gone -
Thank God. Mr.. Crandon, that my
dear husband never lived to see his
daughter disgraci us ALL"
Mrs. Thorne wiped her eyes. and
her thin little nose.
MIR. Crandon waited for proper
interval to elapse. for the consid-
GRAFTON of the departed MIR. Thorne
and his probable reactions to
SYPHILIS impending divorce. Then
clearing his throat. he made a gen.
tie suggestion.
IF you could only persuade your
daughter to be analysed" he haz-
arded. Suppose you try. dear
lady"
Mrs. Thorne shook her head
hopclessly.
1T wouldn't do any good" she
predicted. 1--WE limited at it before
this. but Sybil only laughs"
1t annoyed MIR. Chandon to hear
Of people who laughed at his pow
ers. Struggling his shoulders. he
dismissed Sybil with a wave of
his hand. and launched into a tech.
meal contemplation Of egos In gen.
eral. and a Reckless Woman in par
ticular. 1t always amazed Mrs.
Thorne to her him talk SO exactly
like II book Presently her hour
was up. and Mr.. Crandon helped