New Britain herald., 1929-10-12
Chapter 12 Money Again

Rays i'll humOr annoyed Barbara and sent her down into the dining hall determined to be especially nice to her host as though she felt she owed him some apology for Rays criticism. She had ample opportun- fly for, at dinner, she found herself in the seat of honor on Hendcrson's right hand with Major Perkins on her right.
 The major was eXerting himself to he entertaining. Henderson was whispering into her other ear.
 You look topping tonight, Bar bara. It's great to sec you here in this old place of mine. Somehow it seems just the right background for you-as though each were made for the other"
 Barbara smiled. That's dear of you. Hendy,' and then, looking across 10 where Ray was founder ing helplcssly in conversation with one Of the dowagers, she felt con- trite and added But you mustn't talk like that to me now"
 You're surely not going to turn provincial now that you're married!"
 She flushed slightly No woman likes to be called provincial"
 You know I'm awfully fond of you, Barbara" he continued as she didn't speak; but don't misunder- stand me- ne added playing his cards carefully. q think your hus- bands an awfully good chap. Ad- mire him no end"
 Her heart warmed toward him.
 Thanks for that, Hendy."
 And somehow her hand vas in his, for he gave it a quick, tight squeeze under the table.
 Coffee and liqucrs were served in the large, oblong drawing room, with wooden beamed ceiling and an inn mense open fireplace and seemed to fill completely one end of the room. The heavy carved furniture, of mas siye oak, was Jacobean, while on the polished wooden floor were tiger skins-grcat snarling, yellow beasts.
 Shortly afterwards Henderson started arranging tables for bridge, but, preparatory to doing so he said, in low voice, to Barbara,
 Don't play tonight, Barbara. I want to talk to you. There will be two tables without us. Your hus- band plays?"
 Barbara nodded.
 He used to be quite fond of it."
 Henderson murmured something In reply and. a few minutes later. he had placed Ray at q table with three veterans at the game, Lady Fielding, Major Perkins and Miss Maidstone, whose only claim 10 youth was a strong right arm with 1 which she slaughtered tennis balls !
 Standing waiting for the butler 10 ! place chairs at the table the major | said, speaking on behalf of himself and the ladies:
 What stake would you suggest. ! Lowther? We usually play sixpence l a point
 Ray looked from one to the other . Of them.
 "siXpence? That's dino. isn't 1t? Then I'm afraid I'm not in your i class. T"enty-fjce cents hundred ! is about my limit"
 Twenty-Five ceMts?" queriod Lady Fielding Of the major.
 "A shilling" he translated, and added under his breath, Bah. mere . ohild's play!"
 Ray overheard him and 9 certain stubborn look settled over his jaw.
 Pm afraid l don't care to play for more. CandidIy I couldn't af- ford it."
 As he spoke he crossed over to the opposite side Of the room ostcn- sibly in search of d cigarette, but before he was halfway across. he heard Lady Fielding, in her best imitation of a stage whisper. say to Henderson, who had that minute joined the group:
 But l thought you told me that the man was a millouaire?"
 ''The money belongs 10 lis wife He didn't have a penny before she married him." and ir seemed 10 Rays sensitive mind that Tender son had purposoly raised his vo.cn
 Lady Fielding said. "N0-o" with her ncighing information and then "She evidently keeps him on a short circuit"
 Ray Was by that ,ima put of ear- shot but h. had heard cnough fin put him into a state of cold and helpless fury.
 It Was fact however damnable that he had been pcnniIcss at the time Of their marriage ever since Harjar1 had been paving the bills--cyen the tuxedo Fc wae wearing had been bought with her money.
 He took q cigarette rom d silver box and stuck it un.iglt.d be- tween his lips, How h. wished at that moment that hc were hack playing in tho orchestra O. the good old NeuGona.
 strained s.ienc, had settled oyr, the room and, aware taat Rev had left tn" group vitn whom he was supposed 10 be p!ayiuE hri1a. Bar. bara crossed over to him luicllE
 "Whats all this Ray? Why have. n't you begun?"
 'I told them ] couldn't afford the stake they suggested"
 l'aTHdt@ HlJ N' lip a-I slowly crimsoned with modification.
 Ray, how could you? They'll think us such cheap shatrs, Be sides, ifs absurd. We've plenty ot mouov'
 You have, you mcaU,'
 She said in e&asr"ratIon. "But [ thought goU agreed 10 borrow from me. ."
 "Yes, for essentials, but not 10 fritter away al bridge. Besilos I'm