The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-08-02
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ELINOH SXAEE'OID, 20, fatls | in love with 8b-ycaf-old BAR . RErr CoLV1N, who has return- | cd f0 New York after years abroad Barrett has made Q name for himself as an archeol0gisf. He is about to ask EIitor to mar ry him when her jealous, scihcms ing mother, LTDA STAFFORD, interferes and succeeds in break ing ID the romance.
 When Elin0r's aunt, wealthy MISS ELLA SEXTON, dies she
 leaves her entire fortune to Bar-
 rett. Then drunken VANCE CAR TER shoots BENTWELL STAF- FORD. Elinor's father. Barrett,
 who does not want the Sexton fortune, tells Elinor tha1 if she
 will marry him and live i'm his home as 6 guest for year he will give the entire sum to her to divide among the relatives. EIinor agrees, knowing the money may save her father's life. The marriage takes place next day. Barrett finds himself fall- ing in love with Elinor over again. Then one day he sees her with BOB TELFARE and be- lieves she has been meeting Tel- fare secretly. His suspicious are renewed and he treats her cold. ly. This makes EIinor miserable. Her fathers health is slow to improve and the doctor advises a warmer climate, ElinOr goes with her father to Aiken. CHAPTER XXXII Elinor wrote Barrett suited lit- kle notes about the weather, her Fathers condition, and the routine |of the household. He read them thin. He could not help 1t. He car Fiad them in an inner coat pocket had scorned himself for keeping Ehem. He tried to burn them one night in the library fireplace. In- Etead he burned the hand that sal Haged them.
 Toward the end of April Bar Fett saws Lida Stafford for the first lime since her daughter had gone 6outh. Lida appeared on a Sun pay morning, wearing a dress so Bimple a man would call 1t plain, though to a woman it bore the |lnmistakable stamp of Paris. My dear Barrett!" she mur- |nured, gliding into the library. Stiffly he took her outstretched
 hands. He heard her ask, Lone |y?" and responded heavily.
 "You must dine with me some night, Barrett. I would 50 like to know you better!"
 He nurmured vaguely about having to get a great deal of work but of the way. He detested the woman!
 Lida settled by the hearth. She stretched a slender foot toward the fender. Her ankles were still butte as good as Elinor's, she saw fappily. Found myself to be in the most kmazing position" she began. !. "Yes?" he prompted without
 "overdrawn again! Can you fancy it, Barrett? simply know nothing of figures! And can't feem to learn!''
 He said nothing.
 T knew if Elinor were in town That she'd help me out v for a little time = and this morning I thought, But what is more nat |lraI than to turn to my Elinor's |hSsband? The man whom she so Adores!'"
 He opened his cigaret case, of- Tered her one and lit one for him. 6elf after lighting hers.
 "Mrs Stafford" he said slowly kfter a moments silence, ''the last time Elinor lent you money (which you have not returned to her-I told her I did not like It Bhe promised me she would not ho it again. You see, therefore. that, while I am sorry to refuse lou, I cannot help you out" Lida grew white. her eyes hard. 6he laughed harshly.
 Without needing the interrup- lion, Barrett went on. "Elinor Iettled on you and your husband ) large fortune, more than l kanted her to settle upon you--" 1T quite believe that!" Lida broke in scathingly.
 If you can't manage on that kou couldn't manage on any mount" Barrett said, still coolly.
 "What a delgihtful lecture! "You'll have to pull up or be kery miserable he stated. "Easy bending is a habit, you know" She rose.. With slow, almost |nsolent gesture she pulled her kur close around her soft, white throat.
 "I shall not forget" she said. |'that I came to you for help and hat you refused mel"
 I'm sorry you feel as you do. Mrs Stafford. Can't you see that when I asked Elinor to refuse you Lid I pledged myself to do the lame thing ?"
 aElinor would not have to
 1T do not lie, Mrs Stafford" :" Her face hardened. She caught Inc implication he had not meant
 o make with his statement. She left the house shaking with kage. There was Miss Ella house across the street. Miss Ella had been influenced by Barrett's scheming and persuaded hot to leave her money as 1t khould have gone. If the money had been left as it should have been there would be no need of kpproaching Elinor or her hus- band for loans. The shoe would be on the other foot! As things were there were few chances to Aven up with Barrett Colvin. Un- less he had on the side some little Affair! Lida could hurt him that kay, extract from him what she wished with the pledge of silence. Who was it who had said that he &ras always running up to- Con- yecticut? Why did he go there ? Had she hit upon 1.-the fact that
 Would level his pride and open his purse? It cost a great deal. Lida knew, Lo have anyone ''shadowed" but
 <he original cost might prove to 3e one of her best investments.
 She moistened her tinted lips. z