New Britain herald., 1929-09-03
May I come in, mama 2"

| CllIilSii NOlCe ptedulnBlE. l van. to show you n daddy my bonny."
 Not now, dear" Molly told he, Run along like a good little girl. i Ask Marie to take you to the park, and tell her she may buy you a 1 balloon"
 'Let her come in," instructed Bop , gruffly. The child's old enough to | speak for herself" "Ch. Bob. she isn't"
 Molly laid her hand restraining,v on his arm. But he ha1 riser v h1e | feet, and was striding toward the door. He threw her hand aside i'm patiently,
 Come in, Rita. Daddy wants you"
 She stood in the doorway, with her stuffed bunny hugged to her pinafore, like a quaint child on a magazine cover.
 His names Cherie," she said. Marie named him. Don't yod think it's a pretty name?"
 "A beautiful name" agreed Bob i politely. "Come here, Rita Daddy wants to ask you something"
 Don't, Bob" begged Molly. Don't. It's cruel. You mustn't"
 But Bob had stopped, and lifted her into his arms. He kissed her gently.
 Mama doesn't love your daddy,"' he told her and so daddy must go away, and take his little girl w'th him."
 His voice was very grave and sad. Rita looked from one to thc other Molly had begun. softly, to cry. The child's eyes grew big and frightened.
 "Mama." she cried.
 And, slipping from her fathers arms she ran 10 Molly, and threw her arms about her
 wen go away, dear" Bob was saying. "becauso mama wants us to. Rita and daddy together"
 The child covered in Molly's arms, clinging and crying.
 '1'll be good" she promised. "Tn be good'
 "Oh, sweetheart, it isn't thar." cried Molly. Daddy wants to take you away, darling. He's going to break both our hearts. But youll feel better by and by, because you're only a little girl And little girls always feel better by and by
 T don't want to go," protested the child. Don't make me daddy"
 DO you want 10 stay here. and let me go away all alonc?" lucs- toned Bob gravcly. Do you want your poor daddy to 20 where nobody loves him, without his little girl 10 keep him company"
 Rita. buried her head on Mollv's shoulder. She was sobbing unre- strainedly, and her breath came in great, heart-wrenching gasps.
 "Dont you torment the child" commanded Molly, raising her tear stained face from Rita's curls. II never heard of such cruel thing in my lfc!"
 But she has 10 make up her mind" insisted Bob stubbornly. Come now, Rita, stop your crying, dear, and be brave girl. Tel daddy if you want him to go aW1y all alone, and leave you hcre.'
 No. mo-" walled the child pile- ouSly. No, daddy"
 You see?" He faced Molly tii- umphantly. Blood is stronger han water"
 Then suddenly his manner changed. My God, Molly, cant we fix things up? This is horrible"
 "Dreadfulr" She shuddered. Poor baby. There, Rita. Don't c,y, sweetheart. Daddy isn't going to talk that way any more."
 Bob patted his daughters tousled hair. His eyes were wet, and his voice unsteady.
 all right, Rita. Daddy's not going to hurt his baby. Everything's go- ing to be all right
 He averted his gaze from Molly's.
 Were not in any shape to 10 over this now" he said. '1'n get in touch with you by and by. You won't mind if l phone for an ar pointment later? Will you come to the door with daddy, Rita? Poor little girl, I'm sorry made you cry"
 He took her in his arms.
 "Goodby, Molly It's 6 ghastly mess. I'm sorrier than l can say, But there must be some way ou'. I want to do the right thing. You believe that, I hope?"
 She nodded miserably.
 "Yes, Bob. Your technique's tough. that's all" She smiled through her tears. You and both we've perfect genius for doing the wrong thing"
 Tt will come out all right" he insisted. Its just that I love you, Molly, and you don't give darn about me. Loves like an illness. People get over it--only, instead of feeling better, one feels worse."
 "1 couldn't feel any worse my self" she told him. ''1 don't soc how you could either. Whatever happens, Boh, l reckon we've got 10 start feeling better pretty quick
 When he had gone, Molly went to her room to repair the ravagcs of her latest conflict. To please Rita, she changed her dark dress for negligec of hyaCinth crepe. They would spend the day in the house. That would be safest, II would he impossible to avoid re- porters and photographers, If they