The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-08-19

fare had gone to his room half an hour earlier. There was 8 telegram for Elinor and Barrett, not wishing to disturb her, de- cided to poke it beneath her door. He had writing to do and he knew that he could not sleep. Long training had made 1t possible for him to concentrate and thereby gain a sore of relief. He worked but his mind was not, really on his work. Again and again, as he sat writing, his pen would slow and the objects he was describing objects he had unearthed after centuries of hiding in the earth would fade to be replaced by Elinor's face. 'a Hard moments those; moments when 1t was all he could do to stay at his desk. Often they left him spent and shaking. It was the futility of the situation that troubled him, the fact that 1t was all so unnecessary and was mak- ing Elinor so miserable.
 He tapped on her door and to his surprise heard her say, Come in"
 "It's Barrett" he explained
 Come in," she repeated. He opened the door. She was sitting up in bed, the light from a lamp beside her shining down on her hair.
 "Have you a moment to spare?"
 "of course" He didn't under stand this. "I brought up tele- gram that came for you" he said. Elinor took it and he sat down in a chair that was near her. She tore open the envelope with its small transparent window. Then. Mothers married!" she gasped. l She gave him the message and he read it with a certain grim amusement. Lida had married. a Chicago merchant whose reputa- tion Barrett knew well - Blue- beard Croesus with string of dis carded wives in his cupboard. He would, Barrett reflected, be a match even for Lida.
 "Well!" he said, and could think of no more suitable com ment.
 | 'I expected that-or something like it." Elinor admitted, "but not quite so soon." She grew silent then. Barrett felt she was trying to say something more and that it was not easy for her to begin. He had his own speech to make and he wanted to get 1t over "Elinor," he said, and then hesi- tated.
 "Yes? Why was she looking at him in that way? 1t was dan gerous for both of them.
 "Elinor, want to tell you tha, I respect you wholly and in every way. haven't always. l had all idea = a rather fixed idea =. that you were carrying on some sort oi affair with Bob Teifare. I'm thoroughly ashamed of that now and I hope you can forgive me I know how fine you are in every iway and have always been. I-' he paused, baked.
 "But, Barrett! couldn't do thing like that!" she said quickly q couldn't! I've seen too mucf of it to be able to indulge in i myself. I've been square = tha' way, but not in others. I've beer l-small, Barrett! know I have. | He saw that her lips were trem' blin. q don see that" he dis. agreed.
 "Yes, you do! Or you could if you would! I've made you ss unhappy!"
 "That wasn't your fault" he as sured her. II know hurt you-- desperately"
 She shook her head violently "I hurt myself" she confessed unsteadily, "by acting the way have"
 She began to cry. She had cried so often in the last weeks. Barrett moved toward her.; he could moi help it. He settled on the edge oi of the bed and drew her into hi arms. He patted her back with ons big hand, held her pressed close tt him with the other. His own eye. were stinging.
 q want to make you happy he. heard her say brokenly.
 eff you're happy then l VII be-" he told her. hardly more steadily. .... :, .In a little time. Barrett" shs said, "I'll be just as l was - be- fore. I need a little more time ts Iget adjusted" ar1aera.t want vOu to b(