The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-06-26

hand on the old mans arm. With a gentleness that, combined with his strength, beckoned too many weak mortals his way, Barrett ask ed, 'I hope you've been well, Hig- gins?"
 "Yes, MT Barrett. Now and again a bit lonely-not that mean to complain, sir! think you'll find everything as you want it, MT Bar rett."
 I'm certain everything's in fine shape"
 "The harbor was foggy, I pre- sume, sir?" Higgins asked as he took Barrett's coat, weighted by the wet in the days air.
 Pretty thick"
 Quite four hours late. you are, sir: I've been watching by the win- dow"
 Lucky to get in, at ail."
 T presume so. You've lunched, sir?"
 "Yes; thought I'd better. By the by, are there any letters?" - "A number, sir. On your desk"
 A few minutes later when Bar rett was poking through his mail frankly and naively surprised at its bulk-Marcia came hurrying in. "Darling!" she called from the doorway of the big, dark room. He turned, rose and she was in his arms, crying, laughing, clinging to him.
 'The same huge thing" she ex- claimed breathlessly. standing away, land so famous, dear! You don't know what you're in for! I haven't been to dinner this win ter that someone hasn't said, So Barrett Colvin Is your brother? How remarkable!' l don't suppose sibly be related to anyone so dear!"
 She pressed close again and for moment hid her face against the top button of his waistcoat. Then she drew away and raised her face to let him see her smile and her misted eyes.
 "I'm so frightfully happy" she admitted. "Dick's such perfect husband And to think you have mt even met him! Darling-may have cocktail?"
 Barret rang for Higgins, at the same time studying Marcia. She had grown lean, hungry-looking, nervous. He hadn't remembered those sudden, angular mannerisms.
 You're pretty stringy, Marcia" he said perplexedly.
 Darling. everyone is! You'll notice it. May have a cigaret? Thank you so much. I've been tear ing all day. Always so much to dc--" She dropped to chair as Higgins appeared at the doorway. Good afternoon, Higgins. Will you bring me a Manhattan?"
 Higgins murmured greeting, bow ed and departed. Marcia sat for ward on her chair. II want to talk to you about a lot of things, Barrett. Are you too frightfully tired?" Not at all," he answered and tried valiantly to stifle the convic- ton that she would have gone on, no matter what his answer.
 Well. in the first place." she be- gan, and then paused. She drew q deep, unsteady breath, sat forward and continued. I've been-uncom- fortable lately about-what hap pened before you went away. It's bothered me more than ever be- fore. More even than when l req lized-!
 Again she paused. Barrett's eyes grew sympathetic. He knew what it must cost her to say all this.
 Marcia went on again. When l realized" she repeated. moistening her full. scarlet-tinted lips. about
 Lon Moore--what fool I'd been -everything!"
 Barrett glanced at the hand holding her cigaret, noticed how it shook and glanced quickly away. Poor child! he thought. Poor childw The pain of others always aroused in him a blend of fierce ness, tenderness and strength. Marcia drew another deep breath before going on with her story. Dicks extremely conservative. All his life his father went to his office at exactly 9 each morning and left 1t at the stroke of 4. He never var