The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-20

| = door. As he opened 1t, he was be- hind her. She felt him draw near CT, and the next moment he had taken her hand and was holding 1t to his lips.
 You little witch!" he murmured
 She snatched her hand away as if his kiss had been a poisonous sting.
 Gideon's pale eyes were ugly just for second as he looked into Judy's red, furious face, and the thin, bad-tempered line of his mouth was vicious.
 How dare you?" she gasped. How dare you do that? hate you. I'll never speak to you again!''
 She rubbed her hand violently where his lips had touched 1t. His faced cleared, and he smiled 1t her in humbly deprecatory way. :.
 "It was only an act of homage" he said. '.Do believe me. I was carried away by your art.n
 "Then don't like it." she said "Please understand that. I've seen 6 lot of life, and I know what men mean when they offer girls help. Well, I don't want any of your help. I've fixed 1t all up with Mr What -his.name."
 "I know" said Gideon, more humble still. T beg your pardon. It was unwarrantable. I want you above all things to trust me"
 That's not the way to go about it then!"
 T know. And shall never for give myself if lose your friend- ship. will never offend again, l promise you" He was almost comic in his apologies. After all, in France nobody would think any thing of my kissing your hand"
 .Well, we're not in France" Judy said curtly, "and don't like your kissing my hand"
 T swear 1t shall never happen again!" .
 II hope not. Anyway, I shan't see anything of you. because I'm going to be very busy. I'm off now"
 she was slightly modified. He really seemed alarmed at the con- sequences of his temerity. More over. 1t had all been wildly ex- citing. If Guarvenius or the young pianist had kissed her hand, she wouldn't have minded 1t c bit. It was the memory of Qideon's for mer glances. It was the certain knowledge that he "fancied her,"
 But in her youthful pride Judy knew herself to be capable of holding her own with any man. A reckless sense of adventure was prevailing her whole being, steal ing upward to her head, like the fumes of strong wine. She saw a career before her.
 Gideon came out into the hall with her. It had fine staircase up the center, and was lighted by d glass dome from above. It was positively crowded with beautiful. rare, precious things.
 "One day." said Gideon in what she called his "trying-to- -be-friend- ly'' voice, q hope you will come and see my house on the Grand Canal in Venice"
 The words arrested her atten- tion. Venice was in Italy. She had - 1T wish you'd believe that I am ashamed of myself" he went on before she could speak.
 "Right-o!" she said, with a sud- den flashing smile. "Will you do something to prove it?"
 Anything in the world" he re- piled. =. laughter at the light that came iri- to his eyes, because he thought she was going to ask something for herself. She knew men. did little Judy Grant!
 she told him the story of Dan. the waiter at the Cafe Turc. and his mothers death.
 twill you give him the money to go over to Italy and fetch her back ?' she asked. ''I suppose 1t would be a flea bite to yosi."
 Much plehsauter." he rctorted. He could Dc very frank and com- panionab1e when he chose. "I shall be delighted. remember Dan, and his voice. Will you wait Q minute while I so and fetch the moneyf'
 sho nesatived the idea.
 "I'il send Dan to you here. When can you see hlm3 I'll have nothing to do with it; but ] shall toll hims--again she gave him q half-moclxing smiie-'how kind and generous you are"
 "You're a good friend. Miss Judy" oideon said. "send him here at any tiSno fo-niGht. I'm dIn- ing ct home with sonip frionds. I wish I couiud persuade you to
 ehs was ali thofns again.
 s'No. fhankg. I've had enough for to-day. Dan will come alone. It will bo iefo, after the cafe closes. Oan Wofts harder than anybody I knoNs bat not hArd&r thnn 4'm