The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-06-26

entering, carrying shaker ana tall-stemmed glass on tray, or Higgins mending the fire and tip- toing away. Marcia, small, smouldering, dark beauty, sagged back in the chair she made seem large. She slipped her cocktail, set it down on a nearby table, and the click of glass meeting mahogany was loud in the heavy stiffness.
 At last Barrett spoke. II can't promise you anything" he said al most harshly. '1'll have to see what is best for the boy"
 Barry, you're not going to be unreasonable about this?" she ask ed plaintively.
 He smiled a little mirthlessly. Anyone who dared to oppose Mar cia was invariably unreasonable" But, poor child, that was not her fault. She had ben pampered, pet ted, indulged absurdly, and that fact had made her tragedy.
 II must do what 1 feel to be {air to the boy" Barrett repeated, and I'll start by firing Dexter" he end ed grimly.
 If people see him and hear he's your adopted son they'll think he's more than adopted" Marcia pointed out. "He looks-so like you now!"
 'I know that" Barrett agreed. i've always known it. We have strong characteristics as a family. But I'm not worrying about that, Marcia. I want to be certain to do the thing that is best for you, for him, for everyone"
 "Oh," she murmured miserably. For second she closed her eyes. Opening them. she glanced at a small, jeweled watch that ticked against her wrist. She rose quickly and Barrett rose. "I must be off, she said in almost her natural way. We've a dinner engagement. And, dear, when are you coming to see us? Not that I quite know when we're free, but I'll look it up and let you know. Will you come to din- ner?"
 "Of course"
 we haven't time now to settle anything but I know you'll come to my view point. You'll realize it's the only one!"
 wen see. I'm only trying to be fair"
 You won't be fair to me if you keep me in terror!" she contested hotly.
 T think we'd better not discuss it now, dear" he said firmly. She raised her slender shoulders. Her chin went high. Without a word she turned toward the hall.
 Browning, he followed her un- happily. He saw her pick up pair of gloves from the table, watched her pull them on with two sharp tugs. He hoped Marcia wasn't go- ing to leave him angry. He had looked forward eagerly to seeing her. his small half-sister and only realtive. Stifiing sigh, he stared down at her, so small, so seeming ly frail but capable, he knew, of bitterness and artfully wrought plans for revenge.
 She raised her heavy eyelids for "a moment to give him an insolent. chill glance. Then she melted, to cling to him sobbing and laughing.
 "I am a beast, Barry! But-you must help mel"
 ''I do want to help you. dear" he assured her. He patted her shoul- der reassuringly.
 ''Will you" (she mopped her dark eyes) come and have long talk with me-soon?"
 "Whenever you have a free mo- ment. telephone anc I'll come rum ning!" he promised.
 Barry. you are so sweet! she broke out and. to his embarass- ment. kissed his big. tanned hand. She had always been as extrava- gant in showing love as hate. Bar rett wished he had not had to re- member that fact.
 He held her mink coat a moment later. II worry. too. Barry" she was saying because the boy looks go much like you. People who hear that he's: your ward will thirk--you know---that he Is your son. hidden to save shame"
 Marcia's back was toward him.