The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-06-15

according to the clock on the in- strument panel of his car. Some how that seemed proper bedtime hour for Irene.
 The girl was a little disappointed that he let her go so readily. She expected reptition of his first objection. But. thinking it over as she undressed for bed, she knew that he had not let her go because he was bored at the end of the evening, but because she had impressed him with her innocence.
 That was all right, but what did it mean for him to think her a dear, dutiful daughter? Was he falling for her? That was what she wanted to know.
 Her inability to answer this ques- tion caused her to be grumpy the next morning at breakfast in spite of the fact that she could gloat a little over having taken Beryrs ad- mirer away from her. She had to be careful for 1t was within the realm of possibility that Beryl might give her away to Tommy if goaded into it. Irene was Judging her sister by herself of course She'd have told fast enough.
 Beryl took Irene's mood to mean she had not been satisfied with Prentiss' attentions. For Tommy's sake she was glad.
 She had something else to be thankful for. The pain in her throat was gone entirely. She would sing that evening.
 Before noon she called the doc tor and told him how she felt. He said he'd drop around anyway When he did come his manner was as casual as his telephone conver- sation had been, but, fortunately for BeryPs peace of mind, she could not read his thoughts.
 T wish you'd come in and see me regularly" he told her. 1u know singers threats need to be guarded against trouble. An ounce of prevention. ~
 Beryl forgot all about him and her illness of the day before when she sang that night. She could think of nothing but Tommy and Irene-Prentiss and Irene.
 Prentiss was not at the studio. In a way she was relieved. What would she have said to him if given an opportunity to speak of his in terest in Irene? Would she have told him about Tommy?
 The next day he came to the house and took Irene for second ride, but Beryl did not see him then, either. She was at the studio, working with her musicians.
 Irene's manner at dinner was a trifie brighter than it had been fol- lowing her first ride with Prentiss.
 
 Irene was keeping a close guard on her expression and on her tongue. too. She was a little surer of Prem tiss, but little more uncertain Of BeryI. Would Beryl tell Tommy? Not if she cared for him in more than a friendly way. But did she? Irene had thought so but now she did not know. It was hard to un- derstand Beryl. She might tell just for spite regardless of her own feelings.
 Strange Irene could not realize that Beryl had never done anything for spite, but then Irene had no gauge for the conduct of others ex- cept her own character.
 All she wanted was time. Prem tiss was not going to start trivial little affair with her. No, it was something more, and the prospect of being Mrs Prentiss Gaylord made her dizzy when she thought of what 1t could mean to her. Beryl might have the fame. but she wasn't rich yet by long way She didn't have high priced motor car, d sable or ermine wrap. a dia- mond as big as a robins egg. a anything really, Of course, if she continued to be hit she'd get q big contract some day. In me meantime Irene reveled in the thought of fiaunting a rich marriage in challenge to her sister's success
 What would a radio singer count against q member of the family she sang for? Why. she could even suppIant Beryi there if she wished
 With thls thought her heart Ieaped exiiitantly. Why hadn't she thought of that beforeY They hadn't gIven her half q chance at her first andltlon. She'd sung only. q couple of songs for them, but she'd show If she could Just be sure Of Prsn.
 1 it was not % difficult te conceal her dates with him from Tommy. irhe latter was kept busy almost constantly At the thehtef, He was anxious Co please hls uncle and got tgo weeks vacation for hlh wed. ding tFlp, aeOh, 0f oeuree, talk '~@~laAA sAAAh Tommy. Irene realised