New Britain herald., 1930-07-07

He bought flowers to take Phil lipa, and if they were to him in the nature of a funeral offering sor his buried hopes, he was deter. mined that Phillipa should not | know it.
 Phillipa accepted the flowers with gratifying appreciation. But she guessed they were meant to satisfy some conscience or soul impulse ot AIan's. She looked at him through narrowed eyelids. What had hap pened?
 1 She saw that she should not ask ; l but there was that in his face that ! indicated a coming revelation of some kind. She waited, and made 1 him as comfortable as she could.
 Through the dinner Alan was si- lent. Ihillpa let him alone, but later, when they were in the car, she grey impatient.
 Did you have a hard day st the officer" she asked, as an open ing for his confidence. You look tired"
 "Phnlipa." Alan said abruptly; do you realize that when you &C., ccpt ma, you have to take Bobby as well? You're fond of the little fellow, aren't You?'
 Pninipa wondered if he asked be- cause she had sfused to take Bobby or the drive with them. Why, of course am" she responded promptly. And naturally l know that you're his guardian"
 Alan turned his head for an in stant and looked at her. "Didn l I ever tell you that I'm going to adopt him? ?" he asked.
 NO" PhnIipa sad sharply, then: q thought you were going to put him in a school"
 "Would it make any difference to you if I adopt hlm?' Alan quas- toned,
 PhiIlipa hcSitated. She didn't like his mood, but she had To take a stand now or never, and she cer- tainly wasn't going 10 have hin adopt the kid"
 well" she said slowly, "you know 1 told ybu once. Alan, that I'd like to have children of my own"
 If she expected 10 stir him, she was disappointed. "Bobby's just like a child of my own to me Alan answered instantly.
 But not 10 me-" Phillipa snapped back. before .he could stop herself ITO be sure, he's a darling, and ali that, but why start that way with an adopted child? You'd b. sorry when .. -
 T couldn't love any child any [ more than I do Bobby" Alan re torted And the sooner 1 adop : him. the better I'll like it. ; Put l won't Phillip; . stopp-i herself this time, but sht was on the verge of a furious out. burst Of temper, You might hay, told me before." she said curtly It's a lot 10 ask. You know tha' don't you?'
 T suppose # is" Alan agrcel but when I think Of Bobby, I won. der how anyone could fail to wau' him."
 "Oh. we'll" Phillipa hcdged, "nc girl wants to settle down with { ready-made family, but if it mean' so much to you . -
 "I knew you'd come through Alan broke in enthusiastically.
 Phillipa frowned. and jerked hel ; shoulders. T wish you woull J tsink 1t over a little more,' sh' said pettishly. After all. you know 5 Alan. youye asked me 10 be yoY . wife, and you haven't been any tot , thoughtful or considerate at times You ought to think of me as wei } as Bobby" , Alan was conscious that sh' spoke the truth. He recalled how l he neglected her in the hope tha l she would let him go. And per . haps he was asking her 10 assume | too great burden. But h. , wouldn't give up Bobby.
 His lips set light in resolve or r that subject. They drove ball | home without further discussion 0 } Bobby. though the little hoy wa , uppermost in the minds Of both. } Phillipa, misIed by Alan's silence 5 into thinking she had made ; good start toward bringing Alan |, " her own view of the situation. decid l ed 10 institute a campaign 10 dis : courage him from going tnrougi = with the adoption.
 r And Alan made up his mind ;' = say nothing about his plans 10 Phil g hpa He felt guilty over his d. ? ,c!sion but he had told her plainI how he felt toward Bobby. and T