The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-02-01

home carly" he observed, watchint Gypsy running comb through he1 wet curls. Your mother says were staying for supper"
 "Ah, darling, thought you'd un derstand that we couldn't run ava! like that" she began placatingly | "1 haven't seen Sue for ages--wt never seem to have time any more We don't want to turn into her. mits, do we?"
 NO, but I want you to myself some time, you know that" ht grumb bled, laying his young cheek against her glowing round one. She considered this. I'll ge along right now, If you say so, she began. Perhaps she was toe insistent upon family ties. Tom himself had no mother or father and co she didn't know what il felt like to be submerged by one, in-laws. Rosina they seldom saw as the claims of large and grow ing family held her in her own particular groove.
 Gypsy repeated this. "I'l tell Nuns yod have some work to fin ish-that's true, anyway, isn't it, darling ?-and we'll barge along"
 But his moment of ill-humor had passed. Nonsense, dearest. We'll stay. Do you love your rouchy husbaLd?"
 You're never that!" She was in- dignant. q won't have you calling yourself names"
 So they settled that particular question with the usual kisses, and Gypsy's eyes were starrier than usual when she rejoined the group downstairs.
 We've got tp run" Sue an- nounced, scandalized by the 1ate- ness of the hour and the girl twins announcement that tea was im- minent.
 Nonsense" protested Mrs Nor ell, warmly. Daddy and I are go- ing over to the Williams for SUD- per, but you must all stay-Bea will scramble eggs and someone will make coffee
 So 1t was arranged. They all gathered in the big bright kitchen. The smell of toasting bread and the pungent scent of fresh roasted coffee and frying bacon filled the air. Everybody car- ried plates into the shabby dining room. and the satin oval of Grand mother. Morells mahogany table, one of the few good pieces left in the house, soon reflected candle light and half 8 dozen youthful faces.
 This is funr Hunt Gibson was at Gypsy's right. She smiled at him, liking the lean ranginess of him. He was far from handsome, this engineer from the remote places of the earth, but there was something definitely attractive about him., Gypsy decided. He had way of talking slangily out of the side of his mouth; and his stories were delightful.
 Bet you didn't have anything like this in Afghanistan," Sue challenged, leaning across the table.
 You bet your life didn't" he drawled, staring down at the girl beside him. Gypsy felt Q queer 1it- tie impulse of withdrawal; then, deciding she was imagining things, smiled warmly back at him. Just because you were married was scarcely good reason for refusing to be friends with another man. And there was no doubt about 1t this younger stranger was liking her tremendously. No matter what she said, no matter what she did, he applauded.
 She's cute," he told the assem- bled company, with his three-cor- nered grin. Cute little girl, isn't she?"
 It was half-past ten. It was eleven. Gypsy glanced at the clock and out at the drifts, piling high in the yard, making mounds of the small pines and the rhododendron bushes.
 We honestly must be getting back to town?"
 The slate gray eyes regarded her, the drawling voice asked casual ly: "You don't live out here, then?"
 The other four, Beatrice and Bertram, Tom and Sue, were play ing parchesi. Gypsy and Gibson were in deep chairs opposite each other at the fire.
 She raised her dark eyes to his, smilingly. No, we live in the city East Fifties."
 Rotten night to start out" His nod indicated the drifting snow against the windows.
 Isn't 1t? But it'll be betetr go- ing now than starting out in the morning. And I have a job ["
 "You!" He seemed vastly amused. "so you're one of those toodarn younO Women fooO
 The tone nettled her, she couldn't from civilization so long," she told him negligently, that you've for gotten how these things are
 His great laugh rang out, and Tom Weaver, across the room, moved one of his pink "men" five spaces and wondered what this chap could be talking about to Gypsy
 contributed. in the silence that foi- lowed. "I Just don't think 1t goes togatber--the job and marriage"
 Gypsy tossed her head. "Ab. but lt does, I'm proving it."
 You are, ahT iIe rubbed his ehln. considering this. He rose, resting one foot on tho fender and llghied eiRaret with daft lean fingers. "iN6ll, perhaps I'm wrong, Junl an 0ld.fasblOned boz" IIo RrinHed Al h0r, and her annoyance eynnorafe1; hui she Wns conscious, suddenly, 0f Toms eyes upOn her, and she crossed The room f0 stand