The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-07-27

while those indulged frequently may wear thin.
 You know" she said slowly. "that you can have your freedom whenever you want 1t. I've been terrified by the thought of your falling in love with someone dur ing this time-"
 'T am not going to fall in love" l" he assured her almost harshly. Then hc laughed. "Isn't it quite the modern touch to have a wife speak of giving her husband his freedom on the afternoon of their wedding day7"
 She, too. laughed, but the words "wife" and husband" had made her cheeks flush.
 Besides. I don't happen to want---freedom." he stated next.
 You're very gallant" she mur- mured.
 He denied that with a some- what stern, "No. I'm afraid you will have to look elsewhere for gallantry. I've never been able to do anything more interesting than telling the truth. I do- that"
 ''so do l." she said. The words sounded flatly definite. Barrett reflected that unless one knew her very well, knew her as well as he did, 1t would certainly have been easy to be deceived by those words. A good many men, he supposed, had been deceived by her and by her mother. Himself among them! "Older men are always interested in Elinor. She makes them feel young and then laughs about it afterward." That was what Lida, the girls mother, had said. He remembered the way she had added, "I shall not have to cough loudly as near a room where you are alone with Elinor."
 There's one thing" Barrett said heavily. While we are, at least to the world, married, we'll both have to play fair. No flirta- tions on either side. am afraid would be rather ugly about such affairs"
 Her eyes were on his, wide and wondering. "Of course not" she agreed bluntly. Do you think I would take all you've given me without doing all can to deserve it?"
 He stared at her steadily. meas- uringly. She was really mar vel, he decided. The world had lost an actress when he had gained wife.
 These are delicious little cakesl" she commented. He smiled at her. Now she was sim cere and she was, too, engagingly and sweetly young. "Very good" he agreed. A moment later he sat back, his tea finished, to realize that he had completely forgotten the dis agreeable hour with Marcia and the menace 1t had left. T think" he heard Elinor say ing, that I'll go up to my room" " Must your" he broke out. "No, but"
 Look here," he said.. Were not going to dodge one another, are we? Can't we be friends as I suggested? was just thinking how laundering nice it is to have you pouring my tea and sit
 T don't want to bother you when you'd rather be alone"
 When a man wants to be alone he has pressing business that must be done," he pointed out. And when woman wants to be alone, hasn't she g. head ache ?"
 T guess that's true" she ad. mitetd, smiling.
 Well, have you a headache?" ''No. Have you any business you must attend?" They botf laughed as he said his definite No" It was so easy to laugh.
 Do you play chess?" she asked l uncertainty.
 "Yes. Would you like to play ? | "I'd enjoy 1t if you would" | A moment later Higgins brought the chess table and the men. Barrett knew he played 6 fair game but after half hour of concentration and complete silence she looked up at him to laugh impishly and say. "Youi move, Mr Colvin and where dc we go from here?" He hadn't anywhere to go. "I'll be darned!" Barrett said, frown- ing at the board. Then he smiled unwillingly. "I'll get you next time."
 (To be COntinued)