New Britain herald., 1929-08-19

"Oh it's all right" She laughed nervously, and felt her color mount, ing. 'I mean I'm not acting like a girl in a play, or anything like that l, just want you to marry me-"
 But why :" he began hesi- tantly.
 Because I love you, dumb-bell darling!" she cried. My goodness what did you think? I just love you-that's all"
 His eyes held hers sternly.
 You're not joking, Molly"
 Joking" she exclaimed. T never felt so much like bawling in my life. I'm embarrassed to tears.'
 But, Molly dear, why should you want to marry me?"
 There you go,' she cried. Al ways looking for an argument! I told you why. I love you"
 But you have your career"
 I've had it." she contradicted.
 My dear, you'd never be satis- fled without the plaudits of your public"
 Don't talk about my public." she cried. The word makes me sick. tell you, Jack, hate my pub licm
 But adulation is the bread of life to you, honey. Excitement. Crowds. Praise. Your name in the papers Why, Molly darlin', you eat it up! You couldn't get along without it."
 Couldn't l. Try me and see," she Invited.
 Dearest, you cant marry a poor man. A woman hasn't any respect for a man who cant take care of her"
 You told me that before," she reminded him. I've had plenty of time to think it over. Besides, you said you were on the track of a nice little fortune.'
 "Yes-on the track I didn't say had it. l haven't been exactly a flop, Molly. I've made a little money. But, good lord, l couldn't support your menage."
 
 And what would your smart friends think of me?" he demanded. You'd pay the bills. And I'd be a -. Molly, I'd feel like a rat!"
 She pushed the breakfast things away, and putting her elbows on the table, propped her chin in her hands
 No more arguments." she bull lied playfully. WI you marry me, darling? Or won't you?"
 Her sparkling eyes anticipated his avoWal. Now, surely. he would core, and kiss her on the lips. (That was why she had choSen the furthcst, most secluded corner in the room) He would put his arms around her. And tell her he loved her. And say she was the most wonderful girl in the world. because she had come to him so bravely, and asked him 10 marry hcr-qlite as thought she were not the most successful play wright on Broadway, and he a strug- gling architect.
 Will you, Jack?" she cried. "Or won't you?"
 He looked at her steadily.
 "I can't" he said. T cant do it., Molly"
 E Scarcely mprehending, she stared at him. And her eyes grew large with pain.
 He continued quietly.
 Its out of the question, dear. I cant be Mister Molly Bulnham. l. would be impossible"
 She dropped her eyes, and he saw q flood of scarlet begin at her throat, aud suftuse her face. dyeing it the crimson of her deep and dreadful humiliation.
 You have had your career" he told her gently. And now you are ready for love ana marriage. You wanted to eat your cake and have It too. Life doesn't often let us do that. l, I have ceased to think of you, Molly, as l used to. You cant blame me for that, dear"
 T don't blame you for anything ? she told him proudly. It is quite enough, Jack, that you do not care to marry me. You really needn't lecture me. With your declination to my preposterous proposal, we will let the matter drop"
 Molly swallowed the hateful lump that threatened to strangle her She gathered her things. The French vanity in it's green enamel case. The lip stick that looked like a pencil. in it's slim gold sheath. Her gloves, and petite-pont bag. Her hands were use them. She wished that Jack would go and leave her there.
 You're late now" she reminded him. Grab a taxi, and go ahead. ] want to telephone, and l might as we'll do it from here"
 Somehow she was keeping the tears out of her voice. In another moment, if he did not leave her. she would break down.
 Jacks own voice was trembling. And he was white now. His face was very lean, with hollows in his cheeks. And there was q blue vein in his forehead. that stuck out in frightening fashion. He looked sud- denly old. And very unhappy. Molly had not noticed before how thin he was.
 He looked at his watch absently
 All right" he said. Its getting late. I suppose I'd better be getting along"
 "Gcod luck" she said.
 You have all the luck" he told her.
 Yes" she agreed. II have all the luck. Goodby, Jack"
 "Goodby, Molly"
 He stood there, looking at her.
 "Oh, go!" she cried. For good ness sake, go.
 Her eyes were blinded with tears, but, before she could wink them away, he had gone. And there was cnly a patch of sunshine in the place where he had stood.
 She looked across the table. His