New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-10-08
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coolies OF money, she protested.
We'll. we're not exactly church
mice ourselves" he reminded her.
We've been Somebodies in Boston
too long for the papers to leave W
alone. You belong to the Vincent
Club, don't you! And the Sewing
Circle? And you're a darn good
looking girl. Sib. You know how
you used to have your picture in
the papers about every other day.
They've got plenty in their refer
ence rooms. Just start something.
and see what they do to you. You'll
be smeared all over the front
pages"
AT least" she retorted bitterly.
1T would establish my status"
"A dear esta blishment," he
groaned. And pretty status. II
you're asking me-"
I'm not she told him icily. y
think you're being dreadfully old
fashioned. and just as hateful as
can be-"
1t was Valerie who put the divorce
idea in SYPHILIS head. The affair in
New Haven had made different
girl Of Val. Humility and gratitude
had cured her FESTIVE spirit. She de-
voted herself intensely to the baby.
and even took him out in his little
stroller. Valerie, who had declared
it the depths of provincialism to
wheel baby!
Sybil regarded her sister-in-law
with sort Of plying contempt. and,
because pity is akin to affection, she
even liked her little. After all,
Richard was an engaging devil. And
hadn't she loved him herself?
Valerie was a fool, of course. They
were both fools. Romance was trap
for foolish women. Worse when one
legalized the amour. Divorce was
such a horror.
1t was Valerie who mentioned 1t
first.
"Sib, did you ever think what
might happen if you should die?"
Wal. Don't tell me YOU are
philosophizing. Death and Damna-
TOM oh. Vail" Sybil laughed mock
ingly.
My dear. ] didn't mean THAT. ]
, was thinking about the baby-and
your husband"
What about the baby"
Sometimes Sybil felt motherhood
rising like tide within her-filling
{ her heart and her whole being with
an exciting sense of achievement.
Her maternity had been so
triumphant. The child was so en-
tirely hers. The perfect extension Of
her own ego. She was very proud of
/ him. and of herself for having Great
ed him. Richards contribution to the
creation she disdainfully discounted
You know" Val was saying, "if
you should die. your husband could
claim the child. Your mothers pray
err in a court Of justice wouldn't
count for a row of pins. Teddy is his
property just as much az yours II
you were dead. there's nobody else
would have legal right to him. Tad
and l wouldn't have a look in.
You owe It to Teddy to get d.
vorce, and absolute custody. OF
course, If his father didn't want him,
that would be one thing. But. my
dear-he could make an awful lot
of trouble. ....
Il happen to know something
about 1t, because Julie Johnston got
Bunny away from her mother-in-
law. After Julie and Joe separated,
the old lady took Bunny. And then.
when Joe died. she wouldn't give
him up. ! don't blame her either.
Julie hasn't any more affection for
that kid than II he belonged to the
washerwoman, and Mrs. Johnston
simply worships him.
but Julie took the case to court
and won. Now she's stuck Bunny
away at boarding school. and the old
lady's dying OF broken heart.
"Sib. you ought to safeguard
Teddy from his father. Poor baby
Imagine him under that mans in
fluence."
The child. playing at their feet
looked up and laughed. A Lowell!
laugh, practically toothless, and II