The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1932-06-04


menting smile OF Denise Ackroyd.
Bob strobe forward.
you run along. Denise" he sud
Hereby. Susan and l have impor-
tnnt matters to settle" ~
Dcnisc's laugh tinkled. Really
What fun! I'll stick around ana
hear the secrets too. Denise loves
secrets" Pouting. she slipped her
hand into the curve Of the young
mans arm.
Mustn't have secrets from De-
MISE" she said prettiiy.
Bob shook her off as a mastiff
shakes n terrier. You toddle" he
said coaxingly "and III SEQ you
later"
Her smile vanished and with II
the pretty pouting inanner. She
planted her email feet squarely.
I'm not going to bulge" she IN
formed him. Her Oontemptuous
glance surveyed Susan. Count me
In on this conference. After all.
am your nancee." Al the word Su.
san gaspcd.
Bob said, Don't believe her,
she's talking rot. There was never
anything settled"
Listen to him. Denise futtered
her hand, "as II we hadn't agreed
not an hour ago to an elopement!
Is that nice?"
Susan had gone very white. She
stared at the young man, ignoring
her tormentor. lis that true!" she
whispered.
"Of course IT'S true" Denise In
tcrvened. Everyone knows about
n. Bobby just gets brain storms
now and then but he always comes
romping home again. don't YOU
darlingY'
After one whitening look Dunbar
ignored her. turning his attention
to Susan. Don't believe her." no
said huskily. she's trying TO
sandbag me into this. God knows
why"
With difficulty. Susan spoke.
you are engaged to her though.
aren't your"
lie said uncom fortably. I'm
sort OF indefinite way - yes. It's
nothing binding. nothing that cant
be broken off by either OF us Mt Will.
She's always known that and acted
accordingly"
"It's all too confused" susan
muttcrcd. "1've got to think II out.
Let me 10. please"
"You can't 20 Ike this" lie made
"A move toward her but Denise was
too quick for him. shc had his arm
and was clinging 10 II. susan
slipped through tho curtains and
was down the stairs.
Curse you! She's gonc!"
"Of course she has" Denise
patted her ruffles with compln-
ccnce. Aren't you being rather
undigpincd
Bob did not answer. lie was n.y.
ing with long steps In the direction
OF those apricot colored panniers.
From tho shadow OF ~ curtain
Susan saw him pass. Sho fcit sick
and faint. He came No near she
could have reached out and
touched him with her hand. Her
only thought now was to escape
without being seen. The other
glrls cruel words kept ringing In
her ears.
"Mc has brain storms but no nj
ways comes back honc. -"
Oh, sho was bitterly ashamed.
She found II difiicult to believe that
II was all true but after all hadn't
Bob admitted u sort Of engage
mont? A realization OF her own
folly broke over her. ShJ had be-
trayed her pledge TO the man whose
ring she wore. In spite OF this con-
viction OF wrong Susan's heart was
Hooded with traitorous Joy when
she remem bered that long kiss. She
put her hands to her burning
checks. II had not all been n
dream. lie had really clasped her,
held her close. and there had
seemed TO DO n surge OF real emo
ton In his voice when he had
spoken to her. How could all this
DO falseY In her heart of hearts
shc knew II was not. could not be.
Somehow she managed to glide
unobserved into the dressing room
where she again assumed tho pro-
| lection OF her mask. Wrapped IN
the concealing folds OF the fur coat
she waited for Waring. After what
seemed ages she caught u glimpse
OF his feathercd headdress through
the crowd. His eyes were raking
the scene, evidently In search OF
her. she bribed tho maid to take
a message to him. susan wrote
that she felt faint and wished to
go home.
Waring was all soIicitude as ne
put her into the car.
II wondered what had happened
70 you. hoped. perhaps. you hsd
found some OF your old pals" HIS
eyes twinkled shrewdly.
Susan coiored. "What made YOU
think that?"
"oh, I don't know" HIS gesture
was airy. "you never know what
why had he said that9 How
much, Susan wondered. did Jack
| tNa ,,lsw haaWS