New Britain herald., 1929-08-07

| i'NNiS INllc1. l NC lldu ltT uIleT COll stant observation ever since she was born. She's 100 per cent per feet. If Rita has a chance, sheIl be all right.
 It's a question of environment with children. When l was little, Molly, there were times when J didn't get enough to eat. No milk, no eggs-those are the things chil .. dren need. That's why I'm asking you to take my baby ."
 My dear :. . my dear.' Molly's arms were around her friend. "I'll do anything in the world you want me to. But you mustn't talk about dying, Rita You need a rest A complete change. Come to italy with me-
 Rita laughed eirthlessly.
 God love you, you haven't the sense you were born with. If it's impedimenta you're after. why don't you take your mother?"
 "She wouldn't go. You've no idea how she disapproves of me-"
 Rita chuckled.
 Its marvellous how a few cabarets and a good dressmaker can change a woman's point of view. Paris would do your mother a lot of good. It was outrageous the way Che acted the night your play orened-but honestly, Molly, it's shame about mddle-aged women sometimes. They're just too respectable to be human"
 That's exactly what I think" agreed Molly. I've decided there must be something redeeming about sin. Something that inclnes sim ners 10 pity and understanding"
 Its lucky for you" observed Rita, your mother never guessed what precocious child she had. It's dreadful the way mothers and daughters drift apart. I know more about this mother stuff than you do, Molly. l know what it means to have child. If ] should live to grow old, and see my daughter turn away from me, as you've turned from your mother, I swear I'd rather die than chance it."
 But I didn't turn away from her." protested Molly. You know perfectly well. Rita Melnotte, that if she were normal parent. she'd be proud of me, instead of despis- ing me-"
 Rita smiled Parents are old fashioned.' she declared. You'd call me modern, wouldn't you? Well. I'd be sorry if Rita, when she was 19, should turn her adolescent at tontion to crime. You were pretty young, you know, when you got through college, l can understand the way your mother feels"
 'Oh, all right interrupted Molly. Have it your own way. I'm bad and dngratoful child. And my poor mother is simply pining for little love and attention. Well, I'll ask her to go abroad with me then. I'll tell her I'd rather go with her than anyone. And we'll see what she has to say"
 "Finc:" approved Rita. "Of course shell go, and she'll |, ticklcd to death."
 But Rita was wrong, A few days later Mrs. Burnhams reply to Alolly's warm invitation arrived.
 Dear Daughter" she wrote,
 You are a generous girl. and ] regret that ] cannot accept your kind invitation. It would. how ever, he impossible for me to share the monetary gains of a vulgar play.
 Gods ways are strange. and past all understanding For 30 years your father a good, God-fearins man-has labored to provide life's necessities for his family. Yet we are still poor people. While, almost over night, our daughter acquires riches as though with a fairy wand | Oh my dear child, if you had only | turned your talents in some other | direction ."
 There was more. But Molly scarcely read it. It was all alike. On Wednesday night the crowd l in the office gave her a party. and fitted travelling bag. Red made the presentation, and acted quite as though nothing had happened. ! His farewell kiss was so casual that Molly wondered if his gayety actually covered a breaking heart. She sailed from New York, and expected Jack to be at the boat 10 say goodby. He must have known she was sailing. because it was in the papers. Ar and Mrs. Durbin were there. and most of the cast from the play.
 The twin beds in Mollys cabin were piled high with baskets Of fruit and long boxes of flowers. And there were many sifts-book5 and a travelling case, and small writ ing cabinet.
 She opened them all hurriedly, looking for something from Jack. With great bunch of Parma vio- lets she found his card. and with it a book of Oscar Wildes love Nerse-a slim. small volume. bound m violet Nellum. It was he same book from which they had read together on the lake. during the mad. lovely days of their courtship. Jack had it rebound in her favorite color, with her name etched in | slender golden letters. She found the marked passages they had read together. and her eyes filled with tears, and hear h cart with longing. There was one verse heavily pen. clled. It had not been marked be | fore. so Jack must have marked it Tor her to read. And this was it: But surely it is something to have |
 been The best beloved for a little while. | To have walked hand in hand with |