The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-08-27

But see here!" Tn a lightning flash he had her in his arms, his mouth deep on hers. "There!" He let her go. Now can you say you don't love me?' She dropped, shaken. into a chair. She moaned, 'T shouldn't have come. You lied to me?" "Of course, did. I never should have seen you alone other wise"
 She put her shaking hand to her lips. They felt bruised. You think I'm cheap. Easy! You have a line. they say. You think 1t will work with me, tool" He set his jaw. That's not so, and you know it. I wanted you for my wife but you wouldn't wait for me-"
 Wouldn't waltz It was her turn to laugh now. That is funny"
 Tt isn't too late even now" he cried. pressing his advantage. Come away with me next week and Give will be glad enough to give you divorce. Unless" he was watching her face shrewdly, unless it's an annulment you want"
 The telltale color in her face made him realize he had guessed her secret. "I hate you" she moaned. Give me my things. I'm going" He barred the door. Not like this. You can't" | He was on his knees beside her. He put his big handkerchief into her hands. Don't cry, little love-" he wheedled. "I'm sorry. l am a million kinds of fool. But l love you. sol" Weakly she wept, her head on this mans shoulder. The fire blazed up and the room darkened She stood up, struggling for com posture.
 cts too late for you to talk like that to me or for me to lis- ten," she told him. She sought her vanity box and repaired the ravages left by tears.
 "I shan't see you again, then 2" the man asked. She shook her head.
 I'm sailing on the Conte Rosso Tuesday. If you change your mind come to me-"
 My minds made up. This Is goodby."
 He put his hand out to touch hers but again her nearness and sweetness were too much for him. He kissed her once and once again.
 She stumbled and would have fallen had he not caught her. Ito's voice was heard in the hall. Neither of them had noticed the sound of the bell. Liane drew on her gloves and with the as- tOnishing quickness of her sex was quite composed when the ser want entered. She gasped at the name he gave and turned. Give was saying, I've come for my wife,"
 "I want to explain" Liane be- gan haltingly.
 The door was shut behind them. Van. debonair and at ease, waved his hand at the tea table and said nonchalantly, "Stop a bit. The others will be along pres ently"
 This Give chose to ignore. He said briefly and coldly to his wife, "D'you mind if I hurry you a little? We're dining with the Williams tonight, you remem- ber."
 If he noticed her flushed cheeks and embarrassment he gave no sign. Later when they were in the car riding homeward she said again, "I must explain ."
 He interrupted. You don't need to. found his note on the floor when 1 came in. Thought I'd pick you up. That's all." His tone forbade further condolences.
 Liane's brain was whirling. What sort of woman was she anyway? She had gone to Vans apartment openly. She must have known what was about to hap pen. She had promised loyalty to this man at her side, the man whose name she bore.
 Painfully she cried. But must! l am ashaued!'
 Give turned to glance at her His eyes gleamed in the shifting shadow of the moving motor like blue ice. He was making love to you. That was it?" he asked in ia harsh voice.
 She began softly to sob.
 Don't d o that! can't bea0 It." He put q hand on her arm. You're just a child. All this was mistake. You're not alSe to cope with the harsh realities of life"
 She dashed the tears from her eyes. This was so far from what she had expected that surprise held her for q moment.
 'I'm not so young." she pro- tested. "I--oh, I hate to say this, to hurt you, but can't stop car ing for him." Her eyes implored him to understand.
 He frowned. He spoke almost as if to himself. i've tried to protect you from this. Perhaps I've been too slow. too simple. Perhaps I should have warned you earlier. But you must be perfected from Van. It-oh, it's impossible! Even if you were free"
 The last stung her. "Why?"
 Don't ask me. I don't want to go into 1t now. Perhaps later"
 In despair the girl cried, 'What is all this mystery about Van Robard? My mother hints black ly of something and will not tell me. And now yon. l want to know. I---I love him!" she fin- ished defiantly.
 You are my wife" Give re- minded her in warning tone.
 She threw caution to the winds.
 "Oh, we're living farce," she cried. "You're nothing to me nor I to you" He winced but she rushed on unheeding. There's nothing beteen us but q word that can be broken"
 I'm holding you to that word." he informed her. II asked only the loyalty you might give to a friend. That and the pride you might feel in my name. You can't say at this stage of the game. T lova him. and let 1t 20 at that.