The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-08-10

disscnsion between Barry and his uncle worried her. She did her best to help each of them arrive at a more complete understanding.
 At last all of them left the little camp wrapped in darkness and silence. Mona thought. as she took Steve's arm, that the whole day had been over too soon. Lottit walked with Barry and he told her of the southern cross. of the tropics, and the lunar rainbow he had seen once in Port-ofASpain.
 Everyone was excited about the lunar rainbow, I remember. Steve and I had gone to bed. The night was lighted by the whitest moon light. I had ever seen and after a while it began raining. awoke heard q noise In the hotel court got out of bed and saw two natives knifing each other down below. Be- yond, above the houses across the street, was the rainbow-a faint arc of color When 1 mentioned it next morning everybody was much more excited about that than they had been about the murder Killings were frequent enough but lunar rainbows were rarc!"
 As Mona drew on her hat before the mirror she thought with q pang that in a scant quarter of an hour she would leave this de- lightful place. How easy her en- trance had been and how simple 1. 1 t1- utes and then an exit through the door She might never enter Bar- rvs life again!
 She left Lottie busy before the dressing ta blc and descended the stairs just in time to hear Jimmy call Barry to the phone.
 Miss Dower calling" he said.
 Presently Barry reappeared and caught Mona's hand in his own. There was no one else in the hall and he drew her into the drawing room.
 Does it make any difference to you that Steve is my friend? ?' he asked. II mean, do you like me any better because of thatV'
 His eyes, looking into hers. were troubled. You didn't like me, at first at the office. did you?" Barry went on.
 Mona drew her hand away gen tly. "Of course l like you,' she said promptly though trifle shakily.
 She had wanted to see Barry alone. The moment was here now and she hardly knew how to meet 1t.
 "I want to ask you something. Mona," Barry went on. I've asked Steve. I've asked your loquacious little friend, too and now I'm going to ask you. They've both encour- aged me q little in the hope
 "Hope?" the girls face was scar let.
 "rhe hope that I'm not intrud- ing. That the situation between you and old Steve isn't serious. If I hang around bit-dine with you-take you out once in q while-am I putting in? Hang it!- are you in love with Steve?"
 Mona raised her eyes and looked at him squarely.
 "Steve has never asked me that Barry" she said.
 You see," he went on earnestly If Steve were engaged to gir and wantd to take her out to din. ner he would cheerfully postpone the wedding ceremony and per suade her to go with me! That's steve!"
 He thinks great deal of you I know"
 And he thinks a great deal oi you, Mona, tool" once more Barry grasped her hand eagerly.
 Wouldn't the girls feeling ir the affair matter to Steve at all Barry?" Mona gently asked. "Of course. But Steve wuoid per. suade her that was the best bet He'd make her think"
 They were Interrupted by a shout from without. Bright headlight, threw the hedges into artificial day. light as the car smashed into tho darkened space before the en. trnnc. Steve. bareheaded, Jumped from the drivers seat and raced to the door.
 "AIi sct?" he called. You look ravlshing. Lottie. Make t snappy will you? Where's Monh?" You nre the most beautiful thing in the world" Barry was say. Ing softly when Steve appeared is tho door.
 Barry turned Well we don't seem to be getting anywhere" he snid smiling. "Steve. as soon as get tho girl halfway agreeable td dinner dnte you md Lottie have Co break iD and ruin evreythingi"
 You cnn date her ID any time Steve haId. I've got Co be in town by l0;gO. Como on - eyeryb0d, rendyf"
 "Ali right then" Barry was say. Ing in low tone. Have dinner with me MOndnyf Tuesday then confound It. Wednesday,"
 "CnIl mo Wednesday morning" i" Nom agreed md tho thsee Of them Nnfa off.