The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-08-04


 managed the intricate fastenings. She stood up. ''Is that alI?" Liane's face was like white mask. Her manner was chill, ln- personal.
 "Thanks 20 much. No lndy's maid could have done better"
 Their glances met, clashcd.
 "You're quite welcome" Liane met the insolence with studied un- concern. But as she left the room her heart was hammering with anger. It was to be war then. War
 Liane stood like a trapped young thing In one corner of the H. brary. Van Robard faced her, grim in his black and white, his splendid head arrogantly lifted.
 You've got to hear me out" he was saying doggedly.
 Lianc stammered. The others are coming. Miss Lord--MurIel--- they'll be in any minute. They mustn't find us." She cast de- spairing glance around.
 He said, coldly resolute. "They're playing ping pong in the game room. Mrs Amberton is at backgammon with my aunt. You've got to stay. I've been try ing for months to explain. That's why came tonight"
 The young girl drew herself up proudly. There's nothing to ex- plain"
 "Oh, my sweet" Was there q break in his deep voice? Llane stceIcd herself against it, against the charm this man held for her. Across the hall the radio was wall ing mournGully:
 What --. is this thing ---
 called love? This--funny---thing called love 2"
 The girl ground her nails into her palms. She repeated. "Thcrc's nothing you need to explain. Is there?" She even smiled.
 The man in the perfectly fitting dinner coat folded his arms grim ly. staring at her.
 "rherc is," he said. "And well you know it."
 Liane sat down suddenly. meek ly. She passed a shaking hand be- fore her eyes. "Go on, then. and do be quick about it," she said fnintly.
 You knew" Van Robard said softly, that 1 was mad about you last summer. It was like fever. IL hit me--hard. Like nothing else I've known. You knew that?"
 LInnc nodded. Pride and reserve were swept away. She forgot this man was betrOthcd to another girl, forgot everything except the burn Ing fact that they had five mO- ments alone together and that they lovod each other.
 "Wcll--" Robard struck one clcnchcd fist Into his open palm. Well. that was that. l meant to, wanted to tell you. Then--wcll, got tangled up fin this hideous mess. Murlel ran off with that ac- tor fellow. Blue. You know. His wife turned nasty, threatened to sun and name her as co-respon- dent. Adele nearly went frantic. 1 happened to bc in Atlantic City that night. She wired mo. asking me to stand by. She flew down and made fearful row. Got me to sny [ would tell Mrs Blue t was Muricl hnd gone off with. ! did md the dreadful woman professcd to be satisfied But she said un- less our engagement was an nounccd before the week wins ont she'd carry out her original thrnnt l was the goat" he finished bit- terly
 Lame felt quite III.
 "Y0u --~ you were under obliga- lions to Mrs Ladd?" she h1ktd her thront considering as she formed the words,
 "Oh, you've heard that gossip? L,ane. sweet. You mustn't believe all you hear of me. Indeed you must not! People have fithy minds and filthy tongues. too"
 She looked up at him. She wanted with all her heart 10 be- lieve him.
 "Irs all so ronfuscd." she mnr- mured. unccrtninly. hardly know what 10 think. whit to be- licve, Anyhow. the fact remnlns you're bound Muricl Is seeing to that. Only the other day she asked me to bc one of her bridesmaids"
 The mans face twisted in q snecr. she nsked you thntY She knows I'm mad about you and was turning tho knife.'
 "She does mean 10 hold you to 1t them" I.lane asked.
 He threw out his fine. well Nh ped hands in a gesture of de- npn'r. "You know how she is. Blows hot one dny. cold the next
 "Well. it can't make any differ ence now, anyhow" Linne snid duly "Bccnusc c--Ive promised to marry nncthcr man,
 Ile stared You! sweet yo' hayenf!'
 Liane Twisted her fingers "Yds, have. It's donc.'
 You don't want to tell me who jt is?"
 {. Not now. can't, It's q se- cret."
 He flung himself about. "Ah, ! wns mistnkcn, then, l thought you