The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1933-07-06

felt constrained at her aunt's Did
he like Miss Smythc? She thought
she didn't quite understand Miss
Smythc No, Barrett said, he didn't
understand Miss Smythe either,
And Craven, she said made her
feel embarrassed too. The way no
called out hcr name when she en-.
tered tho drawing room. Did he
know the picture Of tho frog In
"Aiieo IN Wonderland? Craven
looked 80 much like that frog!
Barrett had headed the car
that are silent and open TO- echoes
| on Sundays, tho same streets that
hum on working days. Here and
there In windows were lights mu-
ted by tho late afternoon TO pnlo
lemon, but most OF tho cloud.
brushing buildings slept. Tho com.
paratiye stiffness made Barrett feel
alone with tho girl. He doubted
(the thought coming to him In n
flash) whether most men In tho
throcs OF an intense love affair
could be as happy as he was nj
that moment. lie felt nbsurdly
content,
lie turned the ear 10 n bridge
below which the river proclaimed
Itself In the thickening twilight by
holding its unsteady mirror to the
lights,
"I'vc never been here at this
hour. ! think It's beautiful" she
ssald softly. -
would" Ilo did not speak ana no
knew he did not need 70. lie had
never felt NO completely that every
thing was ~ II should be. He had
q flash OF misty memory; tho sumo
feeling 'that had been his nv n very
small boy with his face against his
mothers shoulder. That phase had
been short. She had died just after
his tonth birthday and within two
years his stopmother, Rita, had BIO.
gun her rule, Rita had never
grown quito accustomed TO the
chills OF tho northern climate and
had remained heatcdly Spanish 10
the end. She had e0quctod Or liz.
n0rcd but had never Boon him a. q
child, "rv been lonely Barrett
realized with surprise, land never
eNcH HhoW w aio W"h NV "ho'F
now.
"I'vc never talked this way to
anyone BEFORE" Elln0r admitted
w0ndSrIngly
Though the words were close TO
his lips Barrett did not speak
them. ~ love y0u!" his heart was
crying out y loyo YOU"
The girl was entirely uncon-
scioua OF all this. She rode be.
sido him, drinking In tho beauty
OF tho fading day. Across tho
bridge In brooklyn Barrett vet his
cur to n speed In keeping with the
sedate hush OF tho streets. lilo hnd
always been certain that sucocBsfui
marriages were made after calm
consideration md selection, HO
had thought often, III over marry
IL vii not DO becHus0 | have been
swept OFF my feet"
Now he realized TINT he know
nothing OF the mind OF the girl
who was boBidc him ana yet no
wanted--t0 have her by him for
the stretch OF his life. The conyie.
ton had como M suddenly IN a
lightning flash that suddenly flares
TO reveal landscape hidden by
darkness.
He had had many interests 10
which no hnd given generously OF
his superb energy. lilo had thought
sometimes, working with his crow
and sustained by tho hopes OF dis
covering u valuable find, that he
could never know such absorption
In any other way. Now he knew
that Old hopes had been frnll, That
all past interests would be pnled J;
he had tho chance TO care for this
girl, TO give her everything he Ind.
"Bctter 20 slowly" he whrned
himself. Aloud he said, Are you
comfortably warm MISS stafford.
"Yes thank you" she responded
In an undertOne and not quite
steadily. Here beside her was a
man who would not lie, who was
strong and gentle and kind. Az u
child she Ind ndored him. Now she
was doing II again; willingly,
humbly and with all her heart
"D0 you remember giving mo q
box OF candy years ago" sho
asked.
mo, I don't"
"Weli, ono day was at Aunt
Elias. There were u lot Of older
people tUerD ana you chIHc III anu
found me sitting on a stool turning
the pages--f suppose rather wear.
iIy-of THE Lives Of the Saints.
You dropped to the floor beside mo
to mako the most amusing com.
ments on some OF the pictures. I'm
sure you must have shocked Aunt
Ella terribly, Then you went away
and half nm hour later Higgins mp.
peared with n wonderful box Of
candy. For me! A pink box with
q ribbon on II. I've never forgot.
ten III"
nm glad 10 hear you say no."
he murmurod.
"f'vo never forgotten IT, she AZ
gured him, "aDd ! never shalt"
|
EIln0r sat back against the seat,
smiling. rho relaxation sbe felt
was no good. Usually people. I'M
less she knew them well land she
know few people weiIL made her
| tense,
They passed q corner OF the