The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-17

of shrewd women. Peter was bril- liant, but not very smart about women. If he had been, valeria couldn't have pulled all the tricks she had. There had been times and times Millicent had wanted to tell Peter fabout them but it had seemed useless in the face of his blind faith in Valeria.
 Ann was not playing up to Peter. There was a barrier of some kind between them. At times they were almost absurdly formal with each other. It was dangerous-this care- full, polite, friendly attitude of theirs.
 If they would have one down. right quarrel, if Peter would get violent and shove her around, or if Ann would become jealous and throw something at Peter it would help lot.
 There's a lot of emotion be- meath the surface there," Millicent thought. But it's bottled up. And that's bad"
 We'll, Millicent would give her dance and Peter would see Ann in that gorgeous white gown she had bought. Ann had been beautiful with her bronze hair drawn back from her face, fitting her small head like bright crown. And the | lines of the frock were truly in- spired, bringing out the beauty of her slim young figure. Maybe Peter would wake up when he saw Ann dancing in that white dress.
 Mililcent hoped Ann was a good dancer. It would help, too, if she were a bit of a .flirt. Peter needed something to show him how sweet and desirable his wife was.
 When the pictures of Ann ar rived Millicent studied them care fully. It was difficult selecting one for the newspaper. They were all so lovely. In one Ann's fresh face appeared above rich fur, tiny hat on her head. The other had been made in a spring frock-a plaid with starched white pique collars and cuffs. Ann wore wide tailor ed hat with prim, smart brim. Her face looked very demure under the big hat, her eyes serene, al- most sad. Millicent finally decided on that one.
 Three days later Sarah picked up a newspaper and saw Ann's pic ture. What a knockout" Sarah said. "This will give them some thing to talk about. I'd give them something to talk about. I'd give a lot to see Valeria Bennett's face when she sees this!"
 Later Sarah was almost sorry | Ann had chosen the pose with the sober eyes. Tony would be sure to think he had put the sadness there. And of course he had.
 But Sarah hated for him to have any satisfaction. At times, she had almost been sorry for Tony who had been hard hit by Ann's reckless step. Since the day he had learned of Ann's marriage. Tony had been different. He had gone on a terrible spree, lasting a week. Tony had been sober ever since, but there was something dis quieting about his soberness. some smoldering quality. As though a fire were ready to break out under the quiet surface.
 = It was worse than a triangle. this mixed quartet-Ann and Peter Tony and Valeria.
 It couldn't be easy sailing with so much to ruffle the waters. Trou- ble enough without family compli- cations. And then, there were the Kendalls.
 Ann stopped at Sarah's apart ment that afternoon about 5 o'clock and rushed first into Sarah's arms and then into Macs. Sarah thought she had never seen Ann lovelier-all in warm brown, wearing the small brown hat she had worn for the picture. But the careless gayety of the past was missing. Ann was graver. There was a tenseness about her manner, a wistfulness in her eyes.
 ''Where is Peter?" Mac queried. "Busy. I'm married to an up- and-coming architect and construc- | ton engineer. Peter was called back by the rush of work and found things piling up. l am afraid l won't be seeing much Of by hus- band for long time."
 Did you have n good time in Florlda?" sarah asked.
 Lovely. lt was the dearest most peaceful little place."
 Sarah thought. What q way to talk about a honeymoon!"
 "But of course" Ann said. as though she were reading Barah's thoughts. two didn't spend all our time there. We went about, Peter wanted me Co shop in Miami. but waited until 1 got home"
 "And then bought out tho shops. Sarah said. "HOw does it feel Co Do married tO e miiiionnlre7"
 "iioneaily. ! never thlnk Of hlm Nike that"
 "ilappy. Anng" Mae asked blnnily.
 The question caught Ann unpfs.