The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-23

ie, too, TOT all through the country ng up surplus crops.
 1 left Steyne's lips like a pistol shot. Deeply moved. he turned a fierce, white face to the other man. Tn Gods name. Dumont. what do you mean?
 Under other circumstahces, Du- ! mont might have been astonished at Steyne's vehemence. As 1t came from Chummys betrothed, and as Bastien knew the enormous debt of gratitude the girl owed her friend, 1t seemed natural enough. You know the world, Steyne," he went on hurriedly. You know that when a millionaire, a man of 40, takes an interest in a girl in Judy's position, there can be no good in 1t for her. It's all nonsense about his helping her with her dancing, and all that"
 You mean that she can't dancer" asked Steyne. "Of course she can dance. That's not the point. It's this mans in- fluence that made Guarvenius take her on. The result is that she's killing herself, and one sees noth- ing of her. She is constantly out with this fellow"
 Constantly out with him ?" put in Steyne with suppressed excite- fnent.
 Well. perhaps that's an exag- geration. Anyhow, she does go out with him to lunch and dinner and to the play"
 Do you know anything against the man, Dumont?"
 "Yes, as a companion for Judy enough to know that 1t can't do her any good to be seen about with him. You don't know Judy as I do. steyne," he went on agitatedly. "She thinks she knows the world inside out. Well in a way she does, suppose--worse luck! But she's perfectly innocent where people are concerned. She thinks the best of everybody. She never dreams that anyone would take her in. That's what makes 1t so difficult" :" "Why don't you speak to herr"
 q have, but it's not the slight est use. You see, Judy never would take any notice of me. I thought, if you would speak to her." "Why should she take any notice of me, Dumont?"
 "Oh, I think she thinks a lot of you. You see, you're q bit differ ent from the rest of us. She knows you have travelled lot and would look at things 8 bit differently; and then, of course, she couldn't think you were jealous"
 There was e moments pause. Then Steyne asked in very quiet voice:
 "And would she think you were jealous, Dumont?'
 "She knows I am!" The Latin half of poor Bastien got the better of him. "It's torture to me to sec her with anybody, Steyne," he went on with .. groan. T can't help 1t. She brought the brute to the Lem- danced with me and then went off doesn't dance. It will drive me mad if 1t goes on!"
 "That means you love Judy. Du- mont?" Steyne's voice was still
 "of course do! And hope- iessly!"
 "I-I am sorry" Alan said, and he hardly knew whether he meant it or not. At any rate, he could not help liking the young artist for his candor and for his confi- dence in his friend.
 "But even if I did not care for Judy it would be the same." Du- mont went on fiercely. II could not bear to see any girl mixed up with Q man like him. Consider, Steyne--an immensely rich man. and Judy in a way under an obli- gation to him. It's horrible--per- fectiy horrible! I can't stand the thought of 1t. And Judy-Judy!" He Jumped up. and began to pace the room. Then, with Q great ef- fort, he calmed himself and went on: You see. Steyne, you might have more influence over her. You wouldn't be carried away by your feelings, as I should"
 It was a grim joke.
 "I can't promise to do anything, Dumont," Alan said. Judy would probably resent 1t from me even more than from you; but perhaps. if I spoke to Clarissa-"
 "Oh. utterly useless, my friend! Women don't understand these things. I happen to know that Chummy thinks Gideon merely a piutocratic patron of the arts. If you had only seen his face!"
 "I have, Dumont. l saw him once and I thoroughly agree with you. We must try to influence Judy. What did she say when you spoke to her?"
 "oh, she was all prIckles. She accused me of spying on her. Then she said that 1t was purely . busi- ness arrangement, that she was taking up dancing, and that he was advising her."
 steyne understood although Judy had never treated him exactly like that.
 After that they talked of other things, and drank and smoked; but there was q feeling of uneaal- ness in the air that no friendiiness could diasipate.
 Tim afraid I've worried you, Hteyne," Dumont said rather awk- wardiy, when he rose to go. "After all, what can you dor"
 Alan smiled rather absentiy.
 "Anyhow. perhaps it was q TO. lief to have 1t out" ho said. "But you're quite right, Dum0nt-- something must be done"
 They shook hands cordially.
 After Dum0nt hnd gone. bt0yne sat on far into tbe night, aIfer. aateIy frozen with fenr and boiling
 It was an iil.eh0sen word. She
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