The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-06-17

| fore he demanded an answer from her.
 It was a good start. she thought. She'd heard Beryl talk about life on a 5O-50 basis, but for her part she'd rather have a man regard her as being of a more delicate species than himself and treat her as a superior. She'd even liked it when Prentiss had seemed a little in awe of her, as though he found himself in the presence of someone too fine for common words and everyday life.
 Irene didn't want him to think were going to be married. She still
 wanted to be in his mind. remote from association with mundane thoughts. She liked her pedestal and was determined to remain perched upon it. It gave her dis | tinct advantages. For instance, who would suspect an angel of seek | ing revenge? She was thinking of the influence she intended to bring against Beryl. And suppose Prem | tiss was such a silly that he'd ex- pect her to act as though he were the only man in the world? There were any number of interesting men in the world As a matter of fact she cared a great deal about Tommy and would like to keep up q friendship with him. How much easier if Prentiss thought her too unworldly for subterfuge? She wished, even as she sat be- side him during that drive, that she liked Prentiss better than she did. Sometime when Tommy had kissed her strange little delights had thrilled her. Prentiss left her cold But of course she couldn't think of marrying Tommy if she could have Prentiss. That would be too ridiculous for words.
 So Prentiss talked and Irene She planned lot of things on the way. Thank goodness Prentiss wanted to be married right away. It would save the questions of many surprised and speculative friends. Further to escape them she'd have to forego a church wedding, unless they went away for it or simply invited no one at all. What a nui- sance family friends were. They expected to share every event of your life.
 Perhaps it would be best to en- gage suite of rooms at hotel the Ritz or perhaps the new Wal dorf-and have a quiet ceremony with just the family present. Would Prentiss father come on for it? She was glad she wasn't going to have a mother-in-law She sup posed she'd be very important so- cially in Oakdale.
 Frequently Prentiss interrupted her pleasant speculation with re- newal of his plea for an early we'd ding day. Invariably she chided him gently with. a question of her own. "Prentiss, how can I promise that before you've even spoken to my parents?"
 Once or twice Prentiss felt like saying, "Oh, hang your parents!" but feared Irene would misunder- stand. He liked her filial atti- tude. Good to your parents good to your husband" Why wasn't that as good an axiom as the one about son who is good to his mother being good to his wife?
 Still he didn't like the idea of Irenes parents interfering with his plans. He was accustomed to hay ing his own way. But he couldn't blame them, and told himself he owed them a vote of thanks for having daughter as sweet as Irene.
 She wouldn't let him keep her long to say goodnight, nor would she let him come in. Irene was afraid that Tommy might be hover ing about the premises. He was such a fool at times! She would have to tell him that she was going to marry Prentiss but she didn't want Prentiss around when she did it.
 Besides, she was in a fever of impatience to tell Beryl about it. She wouldn't wait until morning. All the injury she'd felt at having Eeryl suddenly become the out standing member of the family welled up afresh and she wanted to show her that she had captivated Prentiss.
 Just one more kiss" Prentiss pleaded. T never knew that any thing in the world could be as sweet as you, Irene,' he told her.
 She said, Didn't you?" and there was a touch of absentmindedness in her tone. It was no novelty to Irene to thrill with her kisses. And just at the moment her anticipation of breaking her big news to Beryl was more expressing than compli- mentS.
 She did not deny Prentiss the caress. She took it with shy ac- quiescence. Satisfied--or was it dis satisfied ?-he let her go.
 As she drew herself up from his arms she glanced out to the street and caught glimpse of a familiar figure by the gate. It was Tommy!
 (TO he COntinued)