New Britain herald., 1928-10-01

her. She thought he had worn hts dressing gown to please her. and so she had shaken out the crimson folds of her flaming tea gown. and. standing in front of the mirror, had wrapped 1t softly about her. She vas going to the library. where he sat in front of the radio. to show him. when she encountered Valerie in the hall.
 My goodness, Sybil!" Val stopped her with outstretched arm. That's a vampy looking outfit-but, heav- ems. Sib, you're getting fat! And that red makes you look awfully pale. You don't look a bit we'll does she Tad?"
 Tad looked up from his dials.
 You're knockout. Sis." he cried, and surveyed his gift ju- diciously. That thing just suits you. Val looks like . hag in a wrapper, She's too darn skinny. A man likes girl with a few curves"
 Nonchalantly he bent to his dials. Just got Havana on here. Come on in-I like to look at you"
 "You two:" scoffed Valerie. Dressed up like couple of Christ mas trees!
 Well. sib. Tad may like 'em curvy. but if I were you. dear, Id start dieting"
 She flung down the hall to Mrs. Thorne's room, and Sybil wondered miserably if 1t were possible that she could have guessed. Tad drew a chair for her in front of the fire- place. and she sat there, with her elbows on her knees gazing wrctchedly into the flames. and pain like a solid thing wedging up within and filling her body with . dull. stirling ache.
 And so the Christmas holidays passed. And New Years came.
 On the second of January sybil went again to Westcr House. Mabel kissed her solicitously, and sybil saw the worried question in her eyes.
 "Oh, it's all right, Mab," she said. and began to pull off her gloves to hide her confusion. II told them yesterday. Val was simply scan dalized. mean she said she was. You never saw . girl act up so in all your life. Of course she was tickled to edeath but, my dear, you'd have thought to hear her. the whole thing was personal affront. And that I'd done 1t all just to em- harrass her. Some day I'll kill that woman-I know I will"
 Sybil rolled her gloves into a little ball, and tossed them on Mabel's desk.
 Tad was absolutely wonderful" she continued. And Mothers down Ut Bigelow's this morning. to see about having announcements printed. First time she's been out of the house for weeks.
 "Poor Nuns - I guess she felt there wasn't minute to lose. They seem determined to put on brave face, and make the best of . tough proposition. But Vals martyr-like air is a joke. You'd think I'd out ragged her sense of decency. She gives me a pain, Nab. I do feel sorry for Nuns and Tad. though"
 Mabel looked relieved. Well. thank goodness that's over with. I should say your mother had been quite wonderful about it."
 sn1, rho oriaA holR nf~ tell the truth. I was afraid they'd think I hadn't been married. But Val seemed to be the only one who entertained any doubts on that score. It wasn't what she SAID but the way she LOOKED"
 You've never heard from Rich. Sybil?"
 Not a word"
 Mabel was counting on her fin- gers. Are you frightened, dear?"
 ''Oh - sort of. I don't ima zine it's going to be much fun. wiN the whole town talking. and mother acting like a tragedy queen. Val will have good time, though that's something. of course. By the way. I saw Hilda Burgess the other day. It seems my sweet sister-in- law had quite an affair in New Haven last month. Gosh, I pity Tad!" Sybil gazed reflectively at the swirling snow that beat against the windows. "There'll be . smash- up there. Mab," she predicted, "as sure as you're a foot high"
 That evening sybil met Craig.