The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-02-08
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way out. We can't have love. We can't have anything"
 We have love, if 1t comes to that, Cissy. We have each other land Mary Frances
 You're evading. You know what 1 mean. Phil has waited for you, all these years, because you are the most beautiful thing in the world. Barry wouldn't wait for me maybe. And even Phil got tired. Not tired of you, angel-but tired of waiting and hoping. He doesn't care for that common little King thing-he couldn't, after you. But, well--men are men," "So I have heard" said Ann. "Women are women, too. That is repitition. That's not reasoning. At best, it Is a cute little conven- ton men evolved to use in place of decency and loyalty - ages ago. They've needed it. We haven't. But there is this, Cissy, honey, I wasn't going to Say 1t to you right now, because I thought 1t might make you more unhappy, in way. But now I think I'll say 1t anyhow. I've been thinking the last few days and If Barry comes back, as know he will, and begs you to marry him, I want you to do it--soon. I really want you to, dear. want it more than anything. I'm going to insist that you do."
 Big chance! Let you down and leave you with all this burden. l couldn't and wouldn't, and you know it-or you should. You haven't let me down, all these years and years you and Phil have been engaged"
 "Phil is out of 1t now. You could keep on working and helping at home. You'd have to, I'm afraid, for a while. I could manage the rest. As you say, Mary Frances should be more help"
 There's no good talking like that, Ann. I wouldn't want to do 1t, I hope, and if l did want to l. couldn't. Please don't ever talk about it again, angel. I mean It."
 Ann stopped to hang the dishpan in the cubbyhole under the sink. To Philip she said, "See there? AL ways accusing Cissy of letting me down. Predicting perfidy for her, and making me afraid. and making mo mean about Barry at first, and all. Cissy doesn't seem to be the one who has let me down, does she??" Conversations of this sort, she had discovered, were excellent counter irritants.
 Cecily asked, "Dld you have a good time with Kenneth this after noon?"
 q suppose so. The river was glorious. He is teaching me the crawl stroke or trying to. I'll sweep; and you set the tray for breakfast, will you?"
 "He's-nad about you, isn't he, Ann?"
 Not bit in the world. If he were, I wouldn't play with him. He is 22 years old, and he's found the game of love and thinks 1t is fine fun, and I'm an interesting op- ponent."
 "Or partner?"
 'IIe is 22 years old, 1 said. And young for his age. In many ways he seems younger than Mary Frances"
 "Twenty-two isn't an infant in arms-even for a man. And espe- cially not with all that money. Just think of the money that kid has. Barry said someone told him that old MT Smith left nearly two mil lion dollars half of it kenneths when he came of age, and all of it his sooner or later. Think of It. Ann!"
 Ann said, not altogether humor- ously, What shall I do, Cis? Marry him. or ask him to endow our fam ivy" :. you wished to-"
 "Yes, think so: if I'd hurry about it and kidnap him before he comes out from under the anes- thetic."
 My word, Ann! Don't go off like after all mot many girls in our class ever even have a ghost of an opportunity to marry two million dollars"
 "Our class is better than his class. His father made most of hi; money in junk-just plain junk, during the war and right after. Smith and Rozenblatz, so 1 think 1t probably wasn't even the Smith brains that made it. Kenny is a nice, sweet child; but 1 don't feel particularly set up because of his attentions"
 Isn't it queer" Cecily unused. letting Anns remarks pass. that when the King girl had her fing CTS on all that she didn't hold tight--clutch?
 "Not so very" said Ann with a trace of chiiliness. "Kenny's and her friendship was a next-door- neighbor affair since childhood She dances extraordinarily well, and dresses well, and is good fun he says He liked to play with her, sometimes; but he never dreamed of marrying her. and she knew it. I imagine she is tired of working and wishes to marry. And then Phil is so handsome. and poor Kenny is so homely.'
 "I don't think he's homely,' Ce- ely said.
 'Uh. Big freckles, and crowded teeth that leap out at you from above, and almost no chin. I'd as soon kiss O quince." Have you kissed him."
 Not that 1t Is any of your affair, but 1 haven't-and l won't. See here, Cissy, if you're so mad about him. and his money, and his looks, and his family-why don't you take him? I'll trade him for your new green satin mules that Barry gave you. I'll trade him and give you something to boot for
 "Sh-h-!" warned Cecily. But it was merely Mary Frances She had come directly to the kitchen from her tryst with Earl in the moonlight Her face was se.- raphical. She said, "Pm starved. What Is there to eat?"
 (To Be C0ntinucd)