New Britain herald., 1929-08-13

has the execrable taste to marry you, it isn't, after all, any of my business
 "No?" Miss Smith blew insolent rings.
 You don't think I've anything to say aboht it, do you?" demanded Molly.
 II think just this" Elsie propped her feet up comfortably on the bed. 'I think he'd marry you tomorrow, if he got the chance"
 Molly rose furiously to her feet.
 Stop it," she commanded.
 Well, I do," pursued Miss Smith calmly. I got a right to my own opinion. I suppose?"
 Mollys tone was icy. 50 long as you keep it to yourself
 "Oh, all right. I'm not one to talk anyhow. What I got to say is this. Miss Burnham-you want Rita don't you?"
 Molly nodded stifly.
 And I want Bob. Well, here's my proposition. You use your in tluence with Bob. And when we're married, I'll make him move away from Boston. You're goin' to have a lot of trouble with that man, Miss Burnham. if you don't do what I say. When he gets lit. he's the widest thing you ever saw. He'd steal little Rita on you, like as not. And run away somewhere with her. He's always talkin' of goin to South America.
 Maybe you think I'm kidding you. But Bob carries a revolver these days, Miss Burnham, and that's no kid. He'd think no more of poppin' you off than he would of takin' another drink. I'm the only one that can manage him, when he gets goin'."
 "If you're telling the truth" asked Molly coolly, why do you want to marry him?"
 Miss Smith scuffed her cigaret on the bedside table.
 That's my business,' she re- torted.
 "I suppose he's refused already?"
 If he hadn't" admitted Elsie sourly. q wouldn't be here"
 T don't know what you think I can do."
 Miss Smith shrugged.
 "Ill give you time to think it over" she offered. If Bob gets to drinking you'll be glad enough to come to terms. Boston won't be big enough for you and him. He'll poster the life out of you, And you can't shut your door on him. nor call the police, because you want his daughter.'
 Molly vouchsafed no reply.
 Well, you heard me. Think it over" Miss Smith shook out her purple skirts, and preened in the long mirror. I'm going up to Mon treal for a while, to visit a girl friend. You have your answer ready, when I come back"
 She stopped at the mirror, to touch her lips. and smear a bit Of blue shadow under her eyes.
 "No hard feelin's. I hope? You'll be glad enough, dearie, to get rid of the boy friend. Take it from a little girl that knows
 She was at the door. when Molly cried sharply, How about Rita?"
 "Theres a high school girl that takes care of her dav-times," ex- plained Miss Smith. She's a good girl, and real fond of Rita. I've spoken to her already. She'll be at the flat. waiting to hear from you.
 "Does Mir. Newton know what arrangements you've made?"
 MT. Newton?" Elsie's shrill voice took on the affected tones of a so- ciety woman. "Oh, MT. Newton is otherwise engaged"
 "He hasn't gone away?"
 Well. not far" Elsie smiled malicously. "Mr. Newton got blotto last night. It's a habit with Mir. Newton"
 When the door closed behind her caller, Molly sniffed distastefully. and opened the windows.
 That afternoon she telephoned Bob's flat. It was as Elsie had said. A girlish voice told her that Miss Smith was away. Mir. Newton was out of town too she thought. But Rita would be ready any time Miss