New Britain herald., 1929-11-02
CHAPTER 30 RarharA', HOmsN- Warming

The night Of Barbara house warming, Thousands O colored lights dotted the drive. Ijmousjncs were winding in n n,lcr-tndng stream betNean the tall pine trees that stood sentinel 'on either side. Laughing ladies, a glimpse Of some bizarre costume revealed beneath opera cloak Of velvet or satin, were being assisted to ajght hy their men, likewise fantas'icallN garb"d.
 Clown costumes were favored ny the men-circUs riders hv the "o- men. The ball vas the event of the season. every one vowed. Thon, dear Barbara always had been noted for her bizarre parties ln the old days-but how oricina 10 have evolved an idea such as this.
 Every one was aSog to 500 Bar hara herself. who. the servants in- formed them. was receiving in inc ballroom. That was in tho new wing she had added 10 her home especially for the occas sion.
 The new wing consisted Of two floors, the entrance to tha ballroom being a wide staircase leading dj- rectly into it from the hall below. There everything was in readiness for continuous buffet supper, the tables literally groanins under load of delicaCios.
 ID the wide staircase and into the ballroom they trooped. 10 stop and utter a gasp of amazemont and delight, For immediately they were carried straight back to the dear exciting days of childhood on which the circus came 10 town,
 The dancing was in gigantic circus ring. Around this, instead of chairs. were wooden benches. From the ceiling hung trapezes, tight ropes and all the indispensa- ble trappings of the circus, Ragged urchins circled the hall shouting in a realistic monotone. "Poanuts, pop corn and crackcrjack," or lice cold ginger-pOp, pink lemonade" Certainly this was a ball to be re- membered,
 Barbara herself in a short circus 
 crown encircling her coppcr-brown head. found herself overwhelmed with praise for her amazing in- genuity She laughingly discount ed it. passing not a little on to Henderson.
 The costume hn wore was that or the old-fashioncd rlngluastor, a tall black hat. an ill-fittinS tail coat dress trousers and in h,s hand, a whip which he cracked continu- ousIy.
 Dancing was now in full swing. g mad, merry iumbl" on the floor A porcupino with a kangaroo. q bear with rabbit. trapoze artist with q seal he laughs they got out of it, the fun, Never had they felt themselves freor from re- s'raint - more determined on a roaring good time.
 The very clothes they wore. cir GUS clothes. seemed to transplant them 10 the care-free days of child hood-busineas worries, Gisappoint- ing love affairs, all vanished for the time being.
 During the first part of the eyc- ming the Golden Symphony Eight was concealed behind 2 trcllis. They were being kept in reserve for one of the specially arranged stunts planned to enliycn the evening,
 Henderson, dancing with Bar bara. was whispering.
 It's a splendid success. I'm so glad for you You're happy. aren't you, my dear? Please tcli me that you're happy
 Yes, HendJ I'm happy. I'd be an ungrateful little pig. wouldn't l If I weren't?'
 Yos-she supposed she was hap ny. She liked inc signs Of life and excitement all around her. Only seeing the hands Of a young couple cling together longer than was necessary al tho end of il danro- then vas shc conscious CT sharp 1"inge in her heart A sharp twIngc Of envy, Of memory. Of long ing for the days whom sua and Ray had been so absurdIv in love. . ..
 \ gala entertainment was pIanuoI for the middle of the evening To open i'. Bartard, aocrdi.G To nu- merous requests. had promised to dance for her guests. In h"r short skirts. with ho~ bare knros an high boots she suited hc- dance fo inc spirit of tha oroasloU. cracking her whip ae sG" went through her steps ending with a couple or som ersau's that brought fort4 'hunder- ous applause.
 Ray. sufficiently tall 10 watch h.r oyer the tr,lhs, ~aS Toguan'I, aware Of strangely mixed feelings. The Iavishucss he saw around him made it seem absurd that it was his own wife who was doing f. The irony made him feu like laughing, especially when hp thought Of lis own mcagcr apartment. How had he ever had tho nerve o marry Barbara when th,lr two worlds were so completely apart,
 Still. incredible as il might hr she was still his wife. 4 mad mo- ton had seiza him 10 rusn down into that circus ring, talk. Ha-a3r1 and whirl her away in his arms. Why not? But watching her laughing face, the impulse dIo3 Ho believed in her assumed eaio'r He had no means of >Dov,iu- 'ha. it was not real.
 Tight-rope walkers and r.ar.n artists followed Rarbar". 'ar0. Then came the event ot '0o or~- ming, veritabIe circus 5rr"d.- genuine wild animals hjr"j from an act touring the vaudeNlli" tMrH#'.
 They were led up the Vid" -.aIr r,ee and into the ring r' 'HnI"