New Britain herald., 1930-07-23
Chapter 27 ABOTT-F FACE

Mary Lou was 1nIsera bly, uncom- fortable that night at the Savoy 3rynmor had been thoughrfUl shou- ptans for the evening bur Mary Lou Sied in vain to be grateful
 Until now the Savoy had he- longed exclusively to herself and Tony IL was there that they had brought Jay and Jerry 10 cel-oro+a their engagement.
 Brynmor raised his voice after they had finished dinner. Mary IoI had TO idea how long he hal r.nn talking.
 You certainly surprised na nh~n you told me about VOL and Tlraar. ton"
 Did I2" She managed 70 divert her mind, momentartly, from her private trend of thought.
 T suppose VOL found you didn't like him so well after he came back"
 "somerhjng like that" Why wouldn't he stop talking about that She was ready 10 scream.
 T know. because I realize now that's the way lt was between Car ice and me-just intatuauon And I was fairly convinced from tn~ beginning, that you didn't love Titherton. Yet I'll admit he is attractive in some vays--'
 Generous Of you" Mary Lou laughed.
 Look here, do be serious Mary Lou" Brynmor obviously was frus- trated
 I'm all attention"
 T knew It wasn't T genuine af- fair" he resumed Not the sort Of romance We had in tho summer"
 NO Mary Lou admitted. II wasn't like that
 Brynmor swallowed.
 I'm glad you feel The same vay about it as I do. Mary Lou He hesitated. "-Becausa we've been seeing quite lot Of each other lately, and was WandarinE- please don't think me conCeite5- whether that had anything 10 do with your breaking tho engagomen with him?'
 Mary Lou didn't reply. The sup position was too preposterous. Bryn- nor nisconstrued her silence.
 Don't answer, if you don't want to, dear His voice had dropped to the husky note that had thrilled her last summer.
 But I want you 10 know that T. I love you, Mary Lou Underneath everything, it's been Eol all along. Clarice was only aa Inrerlude. suppose all men have them al some time or other. What I feel for rou IS deeper, more lasting ... Mary Lou, do you-do you feel like mar Iging me. dear"
 She blinked at him. Marry Bryn- nor? Was he mad2 She had an al- most uncontroIlabIe desire 70 laugh in his face. Yet, when tho first shock had passed. she began 70 wonder.
 What cynic had said that the best way 70 recover from one love affair was 10 throw yourself, heart and soul, into the next? But this one was stale, stale since last sum- mer. Yet, with q lot Of imagination, couldn't she reca7rure some Of the thrill? Wasn't any experiment worth trying 10 help driva Tony from her mind?
 You needn't answer zt once, dar- ling" Brynmore urged. "Take your time and think it over. m afraid 1t has been-.ather q. shock.
 "Yes, rarher.' she admitted Lets dance, Brynmor."
 The after-theater crowd already had arrived but q few latecomcrs were struggling through the door.
 TWO more hours" Mary You thought desperately "I can't very well go before. Brynmor will think me ungrareful.'
 -. The dance ended. and they drifted back to their table. Already Bryn- mor's grip on her arm was slightly possesive.
 I'd love 10 startIe him by telling him what I really think Of him. Mary Lou thought spitefully Yet in the end I suppose I'll take him. Women usually do the sensible thing-and spend the rest of their live. regretting if. I'll marry BrNn-