The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-08-18

of the gown. Miss Lilly buttoned her itno the smoke colored frock.
 "They treat me-" marveled Li- ane, "as if I were princess" She smiled at them, told them the dress was beautiful. Miss Lilly said, im- petuously, "I sould like to come to your wedding, Miss Barrett" She always said that to "her brides" and seldom meant 1t. This time she meant what she said.
 Liane said, "I'll be sure to send you an invitation" Dreamily she smiled at the other girl.
 She was not really thinking of them. She was wondering what she would say to Van Robard who waited for her in his long, low car. She was trying on the dress she would wear to her wedding but her love was given to another man.
 Over the table in a quiet, se- cluded little restaurant, Van said, "I told Kelly and you would be delayed. He'll pick you up at the Ritz at four"
 Troubled. Liane looked across at him. "Tf anyone should see us here" she murmured, "there'd be gossip. I should hate that for Clive's sake"
 "What nonsense! Even Eva would not mind. Why, I'm almost one of the family!"
 Liane laughed suddenly light hearted and determined to enjoy the interlude. 1T suppose you are. I'm foolish to worry"
 He covered her hand, the one with the engagement ring, with his own brown one.
 "You're a darling even if you are foolish" His eyes caressed her, "You're not very polite" She tried to appear dignified.
 Do you want me to be? One is polite only to the people one cares nothing about"
 He bent his head to light a cigaret. Covertly she studied his averted face. Always when those dark eyes of his burned deeply in to her own she became confused. Now her glance devoured each handsome feature. He lifted his eyes to meet h erfrank stare.
 Robard smiled. Like me-"
 You know I do," she said very softly.
 "Sweet!" He made the word sound like a caress. Under the table she felt one of her small, gray shod feet imprisoned between his russet boots she colored.
 He laughed at her. That's an undergraduate trick" he mocked. Wont do 1t again. He released her small shoe.
 The waiter hovered obsequiously over them.
 Here now. you must eat" Van told Liane with a show of author ity. You'll be swooning from starvation
 She tried to eat but she could not. Food at such a time!
 Abruptly Van turned serious. "You're not really going through with this marriage? he asked. Liane nodded.
 "Of course, am. What on earth did you think?"
 He set his jaw. You're not. won't have it."
 She laughed. She couldn't help 1t. "You have a nerve"
 He shook his head impatiently. "No. tell you. You mustn't. There's something between us. We've felt it from the first. both of us. I-well, I couldn't avoid this engagement with Muriel. She vents it as little as I do. Wait!'
 Liane looked down at her plate. Her pulse was pounding. her thoughts racing wildly.
 Aloud she said in a suffocated voice, Its too late. I've given my word"
 He disdained that. "Rot. You don't love Give. He's great chap but you don't. Chuck Is all. Come off with me to-day"
 With tortured eyes she stared at him. "oh, I mustn't! Ia be
 She thought of Give looking at her that morning. saying, Come to Richmond with me-"
 "No, she couldn't be unfair to Give. It would hurt him too much. But how was she to resist tnis other, whose very presence had the power to sway her against her better judgment?
 Van set his lips. Very well. I've been wrong about you from the first then"
 This tore from her an asonized "Why?"
 He said cruelty, You're after the millionaire baby. just as they all say"
 She stared at him, stabbed to the heart. Pride came to her res- cue at last. "It's nice to know what you really think of me-" She gath cred up her gloves.
 Don't go. You know l didn't really mean it."
 she thought. "Oh. If could only hate him! That would cure every thing!"