The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-04-30

Frank Speed on the l Gum-boats" There was . l feller!
 Copp,t0hl bD Publso Ledger
 Through the summe at least. | Marcia's voice had a drawling qual- ity. Aunt Ellen's been so sweet to me-you know I've always called liner that. She says that now she's in her own home she likes com pany. Of course I know I'm a frightful nuisance-
 "Nothing of the sort!" Ellen Wal lace insisted. she's going to stay with me just as long as I can per suade her to. Her mothers in Italy, you know. We're going to keep Marcia here as long as she'll stay
 That's fine. I'll drop in some af- ternoon soon, Aunt Ellen. Well, we've just come so l suppose WIG should be moving along. I want to buy one of those lovely garden bas- kets. Come to see me. won't you"'
 Abbie and Gypsy moved on to- ward the booth where the baskets were for sale. We'll" said Abble when they had gone some distance. flor young widow Marcia doesn't look to me to be exactly heart broken"
 The same thought had flashed through Gypsy's mind but all that she said was, She's lovely, isn't she?"
 | Pretty, all right. I never set much store by any of the family myself. Marcia's mother always put on airs. Seemed to think she was better than anyone else in town, though goodness knows they didn't have any reason to feel that way. Well-Marcia should have enough money to last her for a while now. I suppose you heard?'' | No. I didn't hear anything about it.
 "You didn't? Well. she's got $500,000. The day before they were married young Phillips took out d policy for that amount and put it in Marcia's name. Doesn't 1t seem like the hand of providence? don't know whether there's any more coming to her or not but there probably is. Her husband was the only son Phillips had, though there are a couple of daughters. The talk is that the Phillips family isn't an, too friendly with Marcia. l don't know why. Anyhow it's my opinior that's the reason she's staying ou, here. Let her get the $500,0OO ana you won't see Marcia Phillips vast ing any time in Forest City,!
 'She asked Jim to come over and give her advice about some finan. cial matters Gypsy said.
 Did she?" Abbie Manley shot q quick glance at her companion but the girls face revealed nothing Someone stopped them and Abbie introduced Gypsy to number oi scarcely heard. A fat, good-na- tured looking man who had just bought a bouquet of red roses was presenting flower to each of tht women. Gypsy tucked her rose through a buttonhole of her white frock.
 They went on to the booth. There was a crowd about. Abbie pushed her way forward and in five min utes merged holding aloft the GOV eted basket.
 lSn beauty ShC CA claimed. "Only i've more left They're going like hot cakes"
 The basket was the wide. low kind used to carry cut flowers. Il was of colorful straw. roughly braided. Gypsy admired it ant they moved off to have look al the other booths.
 The grounds of the Willis hom, where the garden party was being held were surrounded by a tai hedge, sheltering 1t from the street On the grassy front lawn dozer tiny awning covered booths hat been erected. Girls and young wo' men in fancy dress costumes were selling cut flowers, potted plant: and garden accessories. Two other. in white sailor uniforms with tiny white caps at absurd angles were carrying great punches of blue, gol6 and crimson balloons. Here anc there single balloons. bobbing 1T the distance, attested to sales. It had been warm day. The sun still shone brightly but now |; breeze was stirring. The light colors of the women's and children's costumes gave the scene festive look. At the left was the tea pavilion with its wide striped avn
 
 being served, Young girls dressed in white moved about among the men and women who sat in tho shade of beach umbrellas. Beyond at the rear of the house was the famous Willis rose garden.
 Shall we have tea now or look al the roses?" Abbie asked.
 Gypsy said she was eager to sec the flowers. They followed flag stone path to the arched gateway Crimson rambler roses festooned the entire arch. Within was 2 formal garden at the center oi which was a fountain with two childish figures molded in bronze Paths led to either side and toward lthe fountain. Bordering the walks and arranged in regular groups were shrubs and bushes loaded with fragrant blossoms There were red roses, pink ones, white ones. Massed about the central fountain were tai bushes bearing great crimson reset. tes. In two smaller groups on eacf side exotic tea roses shading gently in the breeze. old fashioned garder flowers mingled with the roses but their scent was lost in the predom. mating fragrance. There seemed C be roses everywhere.
 Men and women in groups stroll. ed about the paths. Gypsy wa' amazed and delighted. She had never seen so many flowers. Il was 5:30 when they finally returned to the tea pavilion.
 Now the crowd was thinning out Gypsy surveyed her neighbors IThere were one or two whom she had met earlier in the afternoon Ellen Wallace and Marcia were not In sight. She followed Abbie to a table where they were joined pres.