The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-04-08

. "lived-in" quality that was pleas- ing and the fireplace was cheerful.
 off this room was the hall with It's circular stairway. To the left was the library lined with book shelves and at the far end was Jim's dask. Back of this was a small and beyond were the kitchen and pantry. There was porch off the dining room screened and used as n summer sitting room. Upstairs there were five bedrooms.
 "The room you were in," Jim said. "was my mothers. Aunt El- lens kept 1t as q guest room. Mines on the same side of the hall. Aunt Ellen has the back room because it's quieter."
 Quieter? The whole house seemed to Gypsy to be as quiet as tomb.
 "Where's Pat?" she asked sud- denly. "Where does he sleep?" Jim laughed. "Oh, he has a bed in the cellar. That dog likes you all right. It's unusual for him to make up with stranger so quickly Never saw him do 1t before!"
 They were alone in tho living room. Gypsy dropped down on the davenport which faced tho fire place. flashing tongues of gold and crimson flame leaped from the logs In mad dance. There was no other light except lamp at tho far end of the room. The glow of the hearth fell upon the girls face, turning her skin to warm ivory. Her eyes, shadowed by their long lashes, be- came luminous.
 Wallace looked down at her.
 Gypsy" he said. this room suits you. do you know that? You've had n hard day-a rotten day and you're looking prettier than I ever saw you"
 He sank beside her, leaning back against the clushioned seat.
 Now was the time to tell him, Gypsy knew. Now was the time to tell him what she had been think ing during that long hour of wait ing upstairs. There was only one thing to do-abandon this reckless bargain. They could never go through with 1t. Jim was lawyer and should know how to manage such things. She would go away Anywhere. What did she care?
 It was going to be hard though. Gypsy turned and found herself gazing directly into Wallace's clear blue eyes.
 "I want you to know" he was saying very earnestly, "that I think you're the squarest girl I've ever met. You've been great about this thing. I--well, I just want you to know that I appreciate it."
 "Why, Jim"
 "Im not good at saying things like this" Wallace went on, "but Gypsy--you're brick"
 The girls vision took on blurred outlines. For an instant his eyes held hers. Then she looked down at the floor. over and over she stud fed the pattern of the rug.
 It must have been several min utes before she spoke. Then, Gypsy said. DO you mind if go upstairs now? I know 1t isn't late but do feel tired. Please say good night to your aunt for me-"
 Wallace nodded. Didn't mean to wear you out" he said. "I'll tell her."
 Gypsy smiled at him over her shoulder. He was still there. staring at the fire when she entered the hallway.
 She found her suitcase in the room upstairs. Gypsy opened 1t, took out the dresses and hung them away. Then she slipped out of her clothes, wrapped herself In yell low bathrobe and drew the tub full of warm water. She enjoyed the bath. took her time at 1t. She had finished and was brushing her hair when she heard a sound at the door.
 Jim's voice came to her. She opened the door.
 "Just wanted to tell you good night" he said. "Dldn't disturb you, I hope?'
 Not at ali. Good night"
 That was all. Gypsy closed the door and turned away. Five min- utes later she was in bed. Close be- side her cheek. damp with warm tear drops. was 0 package tied with ribbon. The package contained Alan Crosby's letters.
 (T0 he COntinuedl