The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-20

l SC9ne.
 Tony was saying politely, II be- lieve this is our dance, Ann"
 Not caring who had the dance, eager to get away with him be- fore something terrible happened In the conservatory Valeria was saying, "Please don't stay angry with me, Peter. It's more than can bear. I've been punished enough, haven't I? I'm human and it is killing me to see Ann in the place which really belongs to me" l Peter said, shocked, "Valeria!" "Oh, yes, know what you're thinking-that I brought all this on myself and that now I should be better sport and have more pride. You're hard and cold. Peter.
 Not hard, Valeria. But there's no use in all this"
 If I thought she loved you l wouldn't feel as do. But she does nit love you, does she?" | Peters eyes met Valeria's. He did not answer. But it was some thing he did not have to tell Valeria. He was on his feet. He said curtly that it was time to go back because he had the next dance with Ann.
 Valeria entered the ballroom with him silently, hating the feel ing that the first blow in the bat tie had been won by Ann. Someone claimed her for the dance, and Peter looked around for Ann. After a moment he saw her. She was talking to some chap who | was holding her too closely, star ing angrily into her eyes. Ann's face was white.
 And then he saw the stranger pull Ann up in his arms and swift ly, impulsively, lay his cheek against her hair. Peter took a step forward, then stopped, astonished at his emotion.
 l Nile had the feeling that he would | like to tear Ann from the fellows arms. No, he wanted to knock the man down. He stood, watching them. Hating Tony-he had guess ed the man was Tony-with deep, terrible hatred. Because Tony was holding Ann too closely. Because her face was white and her eyes looked dark and frightened.
 While he was watching Ann and Tony walked toward the conserva- tory. Cocktails were being served Peter took one mechanically. 1 A girl passing. said, Funny to see you drinking, Peter."
 Peter stared at the glass in his hand, drank the contents and set the glass down. The stuff was like water. It didn't begin to match the fire in his veins.
 The thing to do was to get away from here-out in the open until he got hold of himself.
 Tony had said, "If you don't m kiss you here before all these would your"
 ''No." she answered steadily. q wouldn't"
 Because she knew Tony was capable of carrying out his threat she left the way to the conversa. tory. She had no feeling of disloy- alty. Hadn't Peter danced off with Valeria and talked with her in this quiet secluded place?
 Ann and Tony sat down. His miserable eyes held hers; his hands crushed her cool, small ones.
 I'm going mad, thinking of you loving him" Tony said hoarsely Ann, you can't go through with this. You can't. I won't let you darling"
 Ann said in a low, troubled voice. Peter and I are just friends. He doesn't care anythinf about me, Tony. But he's been wonderfully kind to me-"
 Tony, searching her eyes said You're not lying?" He doesn't love you?"
 "He dosent love me at all
 It was hard to believe there could be any one in the world SC blind as not to love Ann. But that was her story. Tony remem' bered people said that Peter Ken. dall had been engaged to that baby-faced Valerla Bennett. He had only scorn and contempt fol Peter. but he was feeling tremen' dously relieved, almost happy again. because Peter was so blind.
 Bless the poor fool!
 He did not ask Ann 1T she lovet Peter. He knew whom Ann loved flo had seen her heart in her eyei when he had talked nb0ut marry ing her. Trudging along by hii side. almost skipping. "Oh. Tony do you mean itY" Her voice full O Joy and nd0railon.
 He had known that all he need cd Co do was Co whistle and ther' w0uld be hlb devoted girl. ready il ImaFch 0D NIlsl him O tho pnf her un CO on ungnnrded moment ll nay of score he owed the Ben