The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-03-29
CHAPTER XXX

NOW GO ON W4Ah AAA SAOxs4
 CHAPTER XXX
 Strangely enough Ellen had never thought of Stevens divorced wife. She was as embarrassed as was the man himself. Far from forcing his confidence Ellen did not |, desire it. She did not want to hear from Steven of his second mar riage. She knew all she wanted to know about Leda Grayson Barclay. the interruptions little dancer whom Steven Barclay had taken for Q second wife.
 Leda's world and Stevens also had been astounded when the dan- cer had contrived to marry him as such women do often contrive to marry fine men. All the world had said, II told you so." when the couple were separated two weeks following the nuptial day. The rest was newspaper history. A filing of suits and countersuits, an endless washing of dirty linen before the aLtCH 6 At&h0bOhO settlement Leda Grayson had pout- ingly permitted Steven to obtain the sonora divorce, had bought her self a famous string of pearls, re- sumed her maiden name and re- turned to the stage and the life she loved--the life of Broadway.
 That was all five years in the past. Ellen's first impulse was to beg Steven to allow 1t to remain there. On reflection she patted his hand and smiled. "Go ahead if you must" the girl said gently. "Why do you want a quiet wedding?"
 Its hard to explain" Barclay replied. 'Its hard to explain to a woman you love what damned fool you've been."
 "Have you ever thought the wo- man might understand?"
 He sent her grateful glance. You'd understand, Ellen"
 'eGive me 6 chance then"
 every well, my dear. I don't want things spoiled for you by the newspapers or by--Leda."
 'The newspapers?" Ellen echoed.
 Cant you see what a story they'd make of our marriage if we an- ncunced 1t publicly? Can't you"
 'You mean they'd call me a gold digger" Ellen interrupted mis-
 More likely they'd call me a credle-robber," he countered.
 "The muckrakers would never dare to infer such thing!" she said in mock indignation. "A young fellow like you!'
 He laughed, sobered suddenly. "It's not entirely a laughing mat ter, darling" He went on slowly, "1'he reporters could make 8 hor- TOT out of the time I want you to remember as the sweetest of your life"
 The girl felt her heart set up a thick, uncomfortable tattoo. She would not meet his eyes.
 You know how unfortunate my second marriage was," Steven was saving fin that grave, disturbing tone. "Even if 1 would l couldn' explain Leda Grayson to you. 1 don't and will never understand her, If she knew of your existence. though she has long since lost any interest in me, she would stop at nothing to make things disagree able for you. She would stop at nothing to obtain for herself col- umns of newspaper publicity--any kind of publicity"
 His voice stopped. He was tor tured with the burning embarrass- ment of the shy and self-contained who are forced by circumstancesto to abandon their reserve.
 "When shall we make our an- nouncement?" Ellen asked.
 After we've sailed" said Steven promptly. By the time we've re- turned our marriage won't be news any longer"
 You're not disappointed because you won't walk down the aisle oi d St Thomas with an armload oi lilies?" ...
 "Disappointedw she scoffed. "l should say not. I'd be frightened to death. Really and truly. Steven. I prefer 6 quiet wedding. wanted that all along"
 "Ah, you are Q darling!"
 He raised her hand to his lips gently kissed the palm and closed her fingers over the kiss. "Then I'm not even to tell Mist Elcott that we're being married, Ellen said, permitting her hand tt lie in his hand.
 "Oh. I've already told her. She's as quiet as the grave. If you have time you might run in to see hei some time during the next few days. She'd like 1t. But 1t wont be necessary"
 |. Haven't you anyone you wan to invite to the wedding?" Filler asked. She went on shyly, Her! we are about to be married and don't know blessed thing about your family or even if you have l one"
 luctantly. We don't get on, m! sister and I. She hasn't spoken tt me since the day married Leds Grayson. She has a son see oc casionally, a nice chap but lazy a they come. You'd like him. Hei young and full of life" |,
 '.I'm sure would." Ellen said "Do they live here?"
 Abroad most of the time." h' answered and the topic died. Blu Ellen was to remember those word long afterwards.
 They talked of Bert and of tn things Steven planned for him