New Britain herald., 1929-08-23
THIS HAS HAPPENED

But Jack has sailed for Italy with a middle-aged millionairess named Mrs. Bulwer- Eaton. The papers are full of stories about the pair, and Molly is furious. She refuses to talk of Jack, or discuss the affair with even her best friend, Bed Flynn. reporter who usually knows the in- side story on scandals.
 Then along comes Bob Newton, with a proposal. Bob is widower. His first wife was Rita Melnotte. with whom Molly roomed at college. After Rita's death, Molly took her baby. And now she lovees the child as if it were her own. She is con- stantly tormented with the fear that something will happen through which she will lose little Rita. That Bob for instance, may marry and take his daughter away.
 But Bob, at the moment, is half way through strange proposal. He is asking Molly to marry him, but his technique is hardly orthodox. NOW GO ON WITH TEE STORY
 CHAPTER XXXIX
 With her hands on his chest, Molly held him from her.
 Co on, Bob" she commanded. "I'd like to know exactly what you're driving att
 'You're different from most girls" he floundered. "You've got more sense. That's what eXperi- ence does-gives woman sense. As was saying-if you'd been an innocent little kid. Red Flynn would have given you such a thrill you'd have thought he was the only man. But you know better than that. You know enough to dis count this thrill business. l don't mean that I think you're anything but the straighest girl that ever lived. If l didn't know that l wouldn't ask you to marry me. I'm only trying to say well. you know what it's all about, Molly, You're not an ingenue model, if you know what I mean"
 "No," she conceded, I'm no in- genue. Go on."
 Bob cleared his throat with evil dent embarrassment
 T know l don't give you much Of a kick" he admitted
 ''No," she interrupted coolly. You don't"
 But that doesn't make any diff ference" he insisted. When girl marries, it's because the man has something she wants. You know, as well as I do, the transformers of passionate love. You know it's not worth building on, don't you? I may not have any particular phy- sical attraction for you. But l have something infinitely more important l have Rita"
 Molly stepped back.
 "Youre not trying to bribe me with Rita, are you?" she asked.
 Why yes," he admitted, T sup pose I am-if you want to put it like that. You see, I know that you don't love me, Molly. l have my plea"
 But it's ghastly to talk of mar riage without love-" she protested.
 'No," he contradicted calmly. T don't think it Is. There's a chap named Collins-a doctor-who has written some pretty sensible things about love. He says it's a sort of disease, that lasts about two years. Now, you've seen a lot of life. Molly. Whats the us of looking for TO- mantle love, when you know it won't last?"
 But I don't know anything of the kind." she contradicted indig- nantly. I'm an incurable roman ticist."
 He smiled cynically.
 Crying eternally for love. I SUD- pose? No, you can't make me believe that, Molly. Some women are that way I know. But you're different"
 'g'm not" she flashed. T shall never be loved enough for my hap piness."
 But love you," he cried. Mol ly, I'm crazy about you. You know that, don't you? I'll love you, dear I swear it."
 She tried to laugh.
 "But you're not romantic, Bob not. really You make beautiful grand prostestations. But you're not bit my kind of a sweetheart. You'd never do all the silly, sweet things I'd adore. Why, you'd simply laugh at my adolescent notions!"
 What kind of notions?" he de- manded. What do you mean?"
 Silly things" she floundered. "I'd love a husband who'd write me love notes every day, and pick me nosegays. Aud buy me things like lollipops and peanuts, because I like them so. And play the guitar nights, and sing me love songs. And kiss me before and after every meal"
 That sounds like a doctors prescription
 T know" she confessed, tits aw- fully silly. But there you are! That's the sore of husband I want. I tell I'm born romanticist. You didn't know that. did you? You nev- CT guessed I was one of those dread full sentimentalists who go round simply screeching for love"
 You're little liar" he told her coolly. You're cold as ice, and you know it. You sent Jack Wells away, because hecouldn't make money enough to sitsfy you. You're playing at love now with Red Flynn"
 That's not true!" she defended herself.
 But Bob shook his head.
 You're a vain creature. Molly Love has come to you so often. it's grown a common thing" He was fumbling through his wallet.
 i've something to show you