The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-07-10

Sailing right out into the bluc tcr), q white sports dress of ribbed ono has inverted back pleat, as we about, and . jnbot front, of sclf-ml slacks and brown and white bas | Tho girl wears Q white fabric hat, at tho first breeze that comes over and her eyes grow big and dark. Elinor had on Q new dress and was wearing her hair in the way Lida had declared to be absurdly theat- rical. Barrett Colvin did not like flushed and looking sullen. But she would manage 1t so that he would thank hor and later, with Q little more managing. she could bring him to heel.
 self and brought tinge of pink an absurd marriage for Elinor, she decided. Eiinor would be far hap pier married to some poor man, puttering about ct homework as Bessie Thrope did, trying to stretch pennies and nickcls, than attempting to manage the house. hold of a millionaire.
 "Be a little glad to see me, please, dear!" Lida begged wist- fully of Elinor and very tenderly kissed her. she saw Q question In Barrett Colvin's eyes which she knew (with satisfaction) had been put there by Elinor's turning q cool cheek for that kiss.
 Lida laid her small hands on Eli- nor's shoulders. T can't toll you how good 1t is to see you, my dar-- irng," she said, her voice full and throbbing. "I've missed you so much.
 "It's going to be ridiculousiy easy" LidG thought. But she mustn't leave them alone until she had had Q chance to speak to Bar rett In private!
 Darling" Lida said, pulling off her gloves, would you do some. thing for mother"
 Elinor stood like Q stick. All her grace had been wiped away by resentment and growing fear. Yet surely. the girl thought. trying to down the ache that was begin. was too true, too loyal to be in- changed by her mother he was not the man she had believed him to be. Nothing could be then as she had dreamed. Life would be - oh, 1t would be horrible!
 Her heart cried out, "Please Bar rett! Please understandW Lida went on, T want you to telephone Aunt Ella to tell her l am back homo safe, sweet. And dear Cousin Bessie and, of course, your father. They're all so ab- surdly anxious about my safety" she ended, turning to Barrett.
 Without Q word El!nor left the room, her knees weak. For the first time in her life she had been truly happy. For the first time she had realized what life might hold. And the moment be- fore-she could hardly realize 1t now-Barrett had kissed her.
 As she left the room Elinor could see, without turning her head to look back, that her mother was holding out an ap- pealing hand to Barrett. Until that moment Lida had ignored him. apparently completely ab- sorbed in her reunion with her daughter.
 It took several minutes to tele- (who would talk, talk, talk), and her father for whom she had to wait. When Eiinor returned she found Barrett still standing, look ing rather white beneath his heavy tan. and with new lines around his mouth. He said, bow ing stiffly, that he must leave. What have you done?" Elinor asked as she heard Benson close the outer door after him.
 But what can you mean, dcar?" Lida questioned in turn and with an assumption of in- nocence that made Elinor know something very bad had hap
 T mean what say, Mother" Her voice shook. Cant you - just for oncc-be honest? love Barrett Colvin and he loves me. He was-going to tell me so when you came in"
 The child. Lida saw weariiy. was going to make scene. Elinor | was crying. shaking.
 "If he loves you. dear. of course he will tell you so. What could my coming have to do with it?"
 Elinor laughed suddenly, hys- | terically. Then, sobbing deeply. she turned and left the room. | c.
 Barrett walked blindly. with | out knowing where he was head ing. Mrs stafford had said Git came back slowly but all too clearlyl: Tt is so good to find you here with | Elinor!" He had thanked her. Q trifie surprised at the way she had spoken the words.
 q was afraid" she went on | hesitantly as she sat down, that | Bobby Teifair might be here. His influence is not at all good Tor my little Elinor. She is. l must con- fess, quite modern enough with out = help. Can you get used to what these youngsters call neck ing,' Mir coivin?"
 He had cleared his throat. He had murmured a stined' "Why no-"
 "Elinor Is so appealing." Lida continued In a troubled way. "Everyone likes her. especially older mon. She hatters them mercilsssly In the feenng that they're young agaiR and then