The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-08-03

colored lace, and Q new book and Ia thin box of hints, Cass' favorite candy.
 "You're nice," Liane said to the young man as they turned home- ward. Said 1t simply, matter-of- factiy, i quite without coauetry. She
 "You think so--honestly? You've got over being mad at me?"
 "I was never-exactly mad" h. ane confessed, looking up at him with candid, troubled eyes. T was confused and startled at the whole idea. didn't know exactly how
 "I'm a clumsy oaf." Give said, gripping the wheel grimly with those lean brown hands of his.
 Liane said, You weren't but l thought you were ragging me and didn't like 1t. The whole thing sounded-well, fantastic"
 Fantastic. eh? You thought that?"
 There, drat the boy! He was turning grumpy again.
 "The idea of marrying me was fantastic!" His laugh grated a lit- tie.
 Liane sat up suddenly, said quite sharply above the roar of the mo- tor. "You know didn't mean that! Why will you be so dif1cult? I meant that the idea of your marry ing me was extraordinary. Cophet- ua and the beggar maid"
 She thought compassionately that she knew why this young man was so moody. 50 mercurial. He had the tortured temperament of the very shy. She knew she was right when his smile came drifting back. when he looked down at her again with the light of companionship in his eyes.
 Don't talk such rot" he said. humbly. You're miles too good for me and you ought to know It."
 Thanks for the ad" The min ute she said that she was sorry. It was like Muriel--a cheap echo of that jazz girl with the thousand scalps at her belt.
 But the young man didn't seem to notice. He drove on through the golden afternoon. Out of his deep reverie he said with abruptness, Let's announce our engagement before Tressa Lord arrives"
 The new girl was all in gray. Gray kidskin coat wrapped tightly about her long slimness. Gray kid skin turban coquettishly draped over her green eyes. Gray reptile shoes smartly shrieking of the Rue de la Paix.
 Very smart she seemed. very as- sured and chill and just g. trifle amused. Nora and the new down. stairs maid, Eileen, were stagger- ing upstairs under a load of lug gage. Liane. from the upper hall. observed the newcomers easy air of proprietorship as she moved about. stripping off her gloves, laughing at something Mrs Clees- paugh had said.
 When Liane came down 15 min- utes later Tressa Lord was pouring tea and looking as though she had never sat anywhere else than be- hind the old Shefield urn. Liane felt gauche and school-girlish as she was presented.
 My ward, Liane Barrett" Mrs Cleespaugh said affectionately. Tressa Lord gave her piercing glance of inquiry, taking her in IrOuI IH0 tVp VI iCE uAVhAO 8oAN head to the tips of her old brown brogues.
 "so glad" she murmured with an air of dismissing the younger girl.
 Her sister, Mrs Amberton, was Ia highly colored woman with a richly massaged look. She might have been 35-she might have been 10 years old. One couldn't tell. She prattled on in an affected voice of their stay at Nice, the "charming men" they had met on the boat, the terrible time they had had getting through the customs.
 And where's the darling boy?" she asked at last.
 "Clive was 50 sorry. He had to go into town on business. He will be here for dinner"
 Mrs Amberton sighed In satisfac- ton. She cast an arch look at Tressa who ignored 1t.
 This dear chifd," Mrs Amberton purred, stretching out her hand to- ward her sister, "has been 50 sought after-so frantically wooed by half a dozen darling boys that she's in sad need of 8 rest. Dancing till all hours! Every human soul we knew seemed to be in Paris just before we left"
 Tressa lit cigarette and stared out of the window.
 Let's change" she said abruptly. I'm dead. Darling Eva" this aA she turned to Mrs Cleespaugh, you're so sweet to have us here!"
 Mrs Cleespaugh looked properly gratified. "Liane. dear, would you mind showing Tressa and Fanny to their rooms? I've given them place in the new wing. It's g. great deal more comfortable. Liane and her mother are next to me in the old rooms"
 Tressa arched her brow. Mrs Amberton said politely, "Ah, Miss Barrett's mother Is here then?"
 "Yes. She's been very i'll and ! persuaded her to come here until she's strong. You must meet her when she can see guests. Such a sweet person. I'm 50 fond of her.
 Liane was leading the way. She felt the visitors suspicion and dis like and stiffened herself to meet 1t. Tressa said as she left them, 'So kind of you, Miss Barrett" It was the tone she might have