New Britain herald., 1929-08-29
THIS HAS HAPPENED

Molly Burnham, charming and wealthy has suggested a trial en- gagement The fiance on approval is Bob Newton, who happens to be the widowed husband of Mollys dearest friend, Molly is not in love with Bob. But she IS very much in love with his little daughter, and the only way, apparently that she can keep the child is 10 marry the father.
 Bob, to prove how ruthless he, might be, has already called at Molly's flat with a policeman, 10 demand the surrender of little Rita, who lives with her. After the fracas has subsided Molly asks Bob to re- turn the next day, when they may discuss matters amicabiy. Then she proposes the trial engagement with the stipulation that the experiment shall be kept secret until such time IS they may decide to marry. She suggests a period of three months as the probable time required 10 as- certain the practicality of marriage, NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 CHAPTER NLIV
 Eventually Bob had agreed 10 the .rial engagement.
 And he began, immediately, being very nice indeed. Molly had spoken of a painting she had seen and loved in Florence. As though he were a gcnii, and waved a magic sceptre Bob procured very fair copy. IL was La Maddalena by Carlo Dolci.
 The usual conceptions of Mag dalene, as Molly had seen them in various galleries. were of older women with tragic faces. But ~lrlo Dolci had painted a younG girl, of high school age, who had been bad, and was sorry. She Wa7 a beautiful. intense child. Her eyes were dark and passionate, and her lips were full, and fashioned for kissing. There was q holy light in her face, and it had been trGnsfig- rred by a great love. such q girl might have lived in any age. And in any town. Molly thought of her a3 a girl of the centuries. She had wanted to procure a copy ever since she saw the. original.
 Molly knew nothing at all about paintings. She had seen only two in her life that she would have liked particularly to own. The first was La Maddalena. And the other was Correggio's Virgin Adoring the Baby.
 Now Bob had found the Mazda lene for her, and he had not for fotten that she coveted the most exquisite of Madonnas. He thought te knew where a copy might be obtained. A modern reproduction. Molly was touched and delighted.
 She hung her lovely Magdalene where the light played on her up- turned face. And, because Bob had given her the beautiful thing, eho falt-almost--as though she could love him, because he had brought her unexpected happiness.
 Bob was proving rather Ta- thetic lover. Like o. Henry's wait rcss who longad for romance, he tried too hard to please, He bought Molly lollipops and peanuts, because she had said she liked them.
 And he took her to all sorts of odd and dirty places to eat, Molly knew that he hated resaurants that pratended to be Bohemian. She knew that a soiled tabIecloth could ruin a meal for him. And that arty places were his pet abom- nation. But, tecauce she liked polk ing about, he took her to inns that once were barns, and still smellod slightly horsey. And a kitchen where the guests sat about a long tnble, and ate from common dishes. They went to French place, where napkins were never used. And to an Armenian cafe, where the chef wore a dirty apron and waited on table. And. all the time, Molly Thew that Bob would have sold all Bohemia for fresh linen and i'm maculate service.