The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-13
Bo1HBEe 2.. .::::
%TA@R RRmonD
Ops. usA szMos co

if before I knew 1t and swallowed Q lot of water. thought was sunk, Peter"
 "So did IT" he said grimly. Ann felt strangely at peace, rest ing there in his arms, the sun pouring down on her. She closed her eyes.
 Peter, looking down, saw her long lashes curled against her wet cheeks. A strand of bright hair had escaped from under the white cap and was lying on her chcek--- close to Her young, sweet mouth, Peter brushed the strand away. It was like an electric shock - tho touch of his hand on Ann's cool, smooth flesh. His arms frightened violently about her, drawing her closer.
 She opened her eyes and saw the muscles around Peters mouth con- tract. And then Peter was pulling her up, almost roughly to sitting position. He spoke curtly, You're feeling all right now, aren't you? Suppose we pull in?"
 His face was red. Perhaps, Ann thought, 1t was from being out in the sun. He was giving ali his at tention to the motor, having for- gotten apparently that she might have drowned back there when he was tearing away from her. Her sense of humor came to her rescue. How absolutely silly. Did she expect Peter to moon over her like a Iove-sick idiot? Peter, who was in love with. Valeria Bennett. Of course she didn't.
 Io l. tr, 1nn, n r1d YNIal her into the boat very efficiently. He had been genuinely frightened. Yes, she had seen that in his eyes. And gentle. It was strange how gentle Peter, who was so big and rugged, could be.
 For a moment" Ann said, II was simply scared to death. You seemed a million miles away"
 "A hundred yards or so would seem pretty far," Peter said, If you happened to be drowning"
 But 1 wasn't drowning" Ann said. 'I was swimming when you got there."
 "Yes, I know," Peter said, with out apparent interest.
 Ann stopepd talking. Still silent, Peter tied up his boat. Ann walked ahead, expecting him to overtake her. She had reached the porch when she turned and saw him striding toward the house. All the friendliness had vanished from his manner. If he were going to be moody, it would be lonely here.
 Peter had tied the boat with swift, savage fingers. Looking up, he saw Ann walking slowly toward the house. He waited until she was near the steps before starting up the path. He told himself that he had acted like a fool. No won- der Ann's eyes had met his in amazement. No use trying to ex- cuse himself. Of course, she was lovely. And she was his wife. He had realized, looking down at her, touching her wet cheek, that she was his wife. He had known that with his objective mind before. But there in the boat well, there was no use in rehearsing 1t all again.
 Ann was probably disgusted re- alizing he had gone off his head in that boat.
 After dinner, a little chilled by Peters manner, Ann suggested a game of honeymoon bridge. And then colored a little.
 What in the world was the mat ter with her, being salf-conscious like this?
 Honeymoon bridge, tame at best, proved anything but diverting to- night with Peter answering in monosyllables, making not the least effort to be entertaining.
 Blowing hot and cold. Well, let him.
 Companionable and kind one minute and cold and formal the next. Ann frankly yawned.
 I'm sleepy" she said.
 "Why don't you go to bed?"
 That's where I am going" Ann said. Then she decided that she had sounded curt and rude-nke Peter.
 Good night, Peter," she amend ed politely.
 Good night"
 (TO be Continuedy