The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-02-12
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tn,ng; tnngs ! mean' Ahd youi 'ove me-
 Ann repressed a sigh. refused to allow herself to shake her head. "of course, Mary-Frances. But don't be silly. What could hap pen?"
 Like" said Mary Frances, "well like If I should funk in my ex- ams or anything"
 "You aren't going to funk" 'I mean-if shoulud." She came back to Ann. ''IIl kiss you good by again, guess. Will you and Cissy love me if 1 flunk?" Dear, listen to me. You are talking very foolishly. You aren't going to fail in your examinations. But, if you should, that wouldn't make any difference in our love for you. Wed be sorry and very much disappointed, but we'd love you just the same. Nothing yeu could do would make any difference in our love for you. But you must try hard, so that we can be proud of you as well as love, you. You will, won't your"
 T expect" sighed Mary-Frances, "that you'll all be proud of me sometime. Oh yes-I expect you'll be proud, all right, if that's what you want to be-"
 That's the way to talk, honey" Ann approved. But she returned to the dishpan with some small wor- ries concerning Mary-Frances. Of late she was so - odd. The little Hill girl seemed like a nice little girl. and MT and Mrs Hill were fine sensible people only, Mary Frances had never used to be so odd. Perhaps, during the summer, she and Cecily could encourage some new friendships for Mary Frances.
 Rosalie tiptoed into the kitchen. "He has forgiven her." she said. "He has forgiven her fully and freely and from his heart. It was his desire that I should come and tell you"
 That's good" said Ann briskly; far. too briskly.
 "Ann," breathed Rosalie, as Mary Frances might have breathed it, isn't he wonderful?"
 Indeed he is," said Ann prompt ly. dutifully.
 T was thinking, just now, as I sat beside him in his pain. We have been married almost 50 years. In all that time have never found fault nor flaw. He has always been upright, honest, generous, tender, loving, forgiving, just. l could go on and on. There is no-um-attri- bute that has to do with goodness that your Grand does not possess. My one wish for you dear girls is that when you marry--and you will marry, of course, and soon. l hope you may find a man who is half as good as your Grand. You'll never find man as good, because he is the best man that ever lived"
 And that" Ann thought, @ lit- tie awed in spite of herself, lis love. Rosalie believes every. word she has said. Could ever love anyone like that? Could Cissy? We couldn't. Why, I wonder? Why should Cissy and I have to be so different-so disillusioned? Is there something wrong with us? Or Is love a game of solitaire, in which one has to cheat to win?"
 Apple sauce" said Kenny Smith that afternoon, in Ann's quiet off, flee. Solitaire? My aunt's eye! Be yourself, Ann. I'll tell you what it is. it's poker. Yeah, polk er," he finished firmly.
 Poker" Ann reminded him, "is a mans game"
 "Women can play" he grinned "but most of lem aren't so hot at it. They overbet their hands. They cheer when they get good hand and holler when they get a bum one. They can't bluff-much. They can't remember that four aces beats a full house. They'll dis card pair and draw flush every time, and they'll bet a four throw away their openers. They hate to ante. That's the trouble with you, Ann. You~won't ante. You have to get in the game before you can draw cards. You won't get in the game. You won't play, Now, listen, Ann
 Ann did not listen, very atten- lively. She seldom listened to Kenny. She merely allowed him to rattle along and along. and so found a panacea for loneliness. It was after three o'clock. She was beginning to worry seriously about Cecily. All day, she had been expecting a telephone call from her, but none had come. Surely the child wouldn't go home and dress without calling her. Surely the child wouldn't stay out all day in her bathrobe and slippers. Sure- ly the child
 That's all I want, Ann. I wouldn't ask for thing on earth but to be good to you and make you happy. I want to buy things | for you-houses and cars and dia- monds and things. want to take you places and watch my wife knock 'em dead. I want to see you wearing black velvet and diamonds and white satin and pearls" (Tb be COntinued)