The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-06

glad Of q chance to relax and think quietly. For several miles they drove in silence.
 Excuse me for being so stupid. Bard" she said at last. "I do not mean to be rude but feel very badly. Speed Is just furious at me-"
 "Why?" he asked. not with any real interest in her troubles but because something seemed to be expected of him.
 "I--dont know. I am doing ex- actIy what he told me to, and heaven knows I am not enjoying 1t. But he won't speak to me" Bard smiled at her. You're q nice kid" he said. Don't worry your head about 1t. After all, he's only your brother" But can't bear for him--for anybody--to be so angry with me. I wish hadn't come" ''so do I-I mean, wish l hadn't"
 They were wrctchedly silent for a while.
 "Teii you what" he said, pulling himself out of his depression and really wishing to cheer her up, "when we get out there, why don't you take him off by himself and make him tell you what's on his mind. He's probably got q peevc about some little thing and is just | taking 1t out on you. Probably mad because Ginger is-so wrapped up in Eddy--or something. 1 think he would like to get break there him. self, but Eddy is such hair-ahirt nobody can get n word in edge wise"
 Speed doesn't want Ginger" said Cotton. Whatever 1t is. 1t isn't that. You needn't think he's jeai. ous of Eddy just because you are.'
 "Listen," said Bard duly. "Fm too low to argue. Have it out with Speed or not, just as you like. don't care tinker's dam. one way or the other"
 In the rumble seat of the other car. Patty and Speed sat in com pIete and frigid silence. When q swerve of the car swung him against her, he drew himself ur with cold Pardon me-" to which the downcast girl could only nod q troubled head.
 But in the front seat Eddy Jack son at Glnger's side kept up q breezy account of his plans for the day.
 Tt was n great idea, getting us out here alone" he sad. "where we can commune with our inner souls and those we love best and what -have.you. Let's make Il great old day of 1t. We probably won't see much of Cotton and Bard--I think I heard them blaming to lose | themselves in the woods. But we four'll jazz together and make 1t q dny to remember"
 Ginger turned sad blue eyes on him and said nothing. | Cotton had more than her share Of determination md once she had fully made up her mind to a course of action 1t would require more than the mere maneuvering of Eddy Jack son 10 deter her. The instant Bard shook open the door of the Rattle- trap, she was out of her seat and | fore Ginger had even turned the key in the lock, she had Speeds hand in hers.
 Speed" she said firmly, paying not the slightest heed to Ben and Jenky waving gay greetings from the porch, nor to Benito booming a welcome from beside n bird-house In the wood; no heed to Pietro gaz- Ing up from the open door of the cellar where he spent q great deal | of time looking after what he called 1 his fruit syrups and elders. nor to l little Angelo capering clumsily about them under foot. Speed. you come with me. I have some- thing to say to you."
 i Speed withdrew his hand. His | tztt al ps.t sorry. I must help Ginger unpnck the car"
 "IN do that" volunteered Bard stiffiy. You run along with Cotton and whatever shes got on her mind -take it off"
 | Speed gave him look of strange | intcntness, "I don't care what Cotton's got on her mind." he said furiously. "Whatever 1t is. you can bet it's damn well trouble for some body"
 "Oh, be n sport" said Bard in n friendly low voice. "rhc poor kids all cut up over the way you're acting. First time 1 ever saw Il girl pay any attention to her brothers opinion, and you're darn well not worth 1t, if you ask me. Go along l ~-klVe UeT cHuUCe tO TeucVe HeE I mind"
 Speed gave him another strange ly searching look but grudingly permitted Cotton to regain her hold on his hand and lead him away to- | ward the swings.
 Even while they were carrying the baskets from the car up to the cottage, Eddy was making his plans for the days aggravations.
 Well need more butter and cream" he said. "I'il hitch up Mrs Carter to the buggy and we'll send Cotton and Bard over to Blakc's for them. Speed and Pat can catch fish for our supper, and you and I'll make up list of those we want to invite tonight"
 "I don't want to fish," muttered Patty driven at last to desperate protest. "Speed--4peed's an awful pill. Eddy" she added apologetic- ally. "Ie hasn't said n word but Pardon me for the last two days. I--I don't think I can stand 1t much longer"
 (TO be COntinucd)