The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-11-25
9o1gotten SWEETHEART
CHApTnR xxVr

ChAEIHA AAANk
 It was Bob's father who broke the news. "Confound that boy of mine!" he said to Barbara. around and head for home" "But Mir Westoni" Barbara ex- claimed. "I thought you said we were to keep him away long time! I thought you said 1t would be good for himi"
 I've changed my mind about that" the man said dryly. Tive decided Bob may find a cure for his moodinegs at home - a per- manent cure" He couldn't resist letting the satisfaction he felt show in his tone.
 Barbara's face hardened. Sud- denly. with the sense of defeat weighing upon her. she cast de plomacy to the winds. "I can't say I'm surprised at anything "after the way he has neglected
 "But Dan Maxwell hasn't neg lected you," Mir Weston said
 Shaken. by disappointment, rag ing inwafdly, Barbara fled to her cabin and wept. She locked the door and would admit no one dur ing the afternoon, nor did she ap- pear at dinner. The maid. bring ing a tempting tray, found her with swollen eyes and flushed cheeks. Bbarbara said she was having Q touch of sea-sickness but the maid had seen the results of rage and disappointment be- fore and was not deceived.
 It was the hardest blow Bar bara had ever known. For once her seif-confidence was thorough ly shattered. She had come so close to her hearts desire and then lost 1t all - to little mo- body! Barbara had not a doubt that Bob was rushing back to Joan waring. He had seemed changed since the day they had seen Joan's sister in Havana. Bob had gone to the table where Pat and the man with her were sit- ting. When he returned he had told Barbara that the couple were on their honeymoon. It seemed quite unimportant to her but Bob had been terribly excited about this news for some reason.
 Next morning Barbara was out on deck with all traces of the emotional storm erased. She wore one of her most becoming outfits and she was gay and smiling. She tried all the old tricks with Bob -fattery. wistfulness and unhap- piness. But he showed little in- terest. He was attentive and courteous but wrapped in thoughts that shut Barbara out completely.
 Soon she began playing up to Dan Maxwell, hoping the others would consider her a consistent coquette. Barbara couldn't bear the thought that they might be smiling over defeat =. even worse. pitying her!
 Captain Eric was almost as pleased as Bob when the "Wind- ward" made her way into New York harbor. The return trip, with the restless young man aboard, had taxed the captains resources. Never had he seen such impatience over the gradual diminishing of distance.
 were making good time" the older man had growled when, for what seemed the hundredth time, Bob asked how long 1t would be before they were in.
 Bob laughed. He knew he was being an internal nuisance.
 It was dark when he said good by to the captain. Barbara had refused Bob's offer to drive her home. She had recovered her composure and told him sweetly that Sue Willis and Dan were taking her to her aunt's. She added that she might sec Bob next day and thanked him for the perfectly delightful trip.
 ''So long, Cap" Bob said, smil- ing. "Next time I'll try to be a better passenger"
 Planning to bring that other
 "I'm off this minute to ask her"
 He would have liked to shout the glad news from the housetops. He had planned exactly what he would do. He would find Joan, tuck her arm in his masterfully, and set off to buy the marriage license. If Joan had some foolish notions about waiting he had a hundred unanswerable arguments to prove that she was wrong.
 After they were married he would tell her all that was in his heart. She would forgive him for his headstrong foolishness. he was sure. And he would spend the rest of his life trying to make