The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-02-12

He passed the place where they'd had their campfire the night before The shore was dark and lonely now. And there was no slender figure wearing a short skirt and leather jacket skating toward him. There was no one at all in sight.
 Brian told himself again. "She isn't coming"
 This time when he reached the boat house he took off his skates and walked down the road to the place where he had left his coupe. He got inside and turned the car about and started for home. Half way there he changed his mind and made a turn left. His mother was having some friends in, he remem- bered, and he didn't want to see them. He could drive to the club and see if anything was happen ing there or he could look up Ted Bainbridge--
 | Brian decided to do none of these things. A better prospect presented itself. He'd drop in at Thatcher's. If Vicky were home he'd be as- sured of agreeable company. Vicky was 8 good sort -- just the one to get him out of this moodiness. A maid in uniform answered his ring and said yes, that Vicky was in.
 Brian said. Where Is shc-in the living room? I'll go in"
 He turned into the large room at the left. Vicky was there, slim and picturesque in emerald velvet, with one arm stretched against the back of the davenport. Her dark hair was sleek and shining, her lips a sulky blaze of crimson. A young man sat facing her. He was q tall young man with tawny- reddish hair and his features were pleasant enough but it was clear that the young man was not pleas ed about something.
 He said, But look. Vicky-" and then stopped, seeing Brian. Vicky was on her feet at once.
 "Brian!" she exclaimed, hurrying forward. "How sweet of you! I'd begun to think you'd buried your self in that mill. Come and tell us how the wheels of industry are turning"
 Greg Harmon had risen, too, but he was not smiling. Hello. Brian" he said rather curtly. How're yoh? Hope you don't mind if I run along?"
 "Oh, but see here" Brian be- gan.
 "Gree was just leaving" Vicky assured him. "He doesn't find me sufficiently entertaining tonight. Really I think heaven must have sent you, Brian to keep me from spending a pokey evening alone" , She turned toward the other man Good night, Greg" she went on. Give me a ring, won't you to-mor- row about 4? Don't call me earlier "Give me ring, won't you, to-mor | because I'm going shopping with | Claire"
 You're sure I'm not interrupt ing" Brian asked. Greg Harmon said. "No-got to be on my way. Got some things to see about. All right, Vicky, I'll call you"
 He was gone. Vicky sank back on the davenport, leaning her head against her open palm. The loose sleeve fell back, revealing slim white arm. Thank goodness that's over," she said dryly. "Give me a, cigaret, Brian. l feel the need of one"
 You, vicky? What on earth have you been doing?"
 The girls eyes regarded him pensively. "It's Greg, she said. T don't know what I'm going to | do about him."
 "Well-?"
 She shook her head. "Greg's get ting to be a problem, Brian. Honestly, I don't know what to do. Just because I've gone around with him little--playing golf and rid ding horseback and now and then going to parties--he seems to think I haven't any right to go with any one else. It's ridiculOus! and when ever I say anything he gets the way he was to-night--sullen and simply unbearable."
 Brian shook his head smiling. "The perils of being an irresistible charmer, my dear!"
 Vicky pouted. "You can laugh" she said, but it isn't very funny to me-" Suddenly she stopped and the dark eyes grew rounder. "Oh," she said, I've just thought of some- thing" Animal, mineral of vegetable?" She made deprecating little movement with one hand. "fm serious. Really l am." She went Ton. her voice touched with excite mcnt. "But I don't see why 1t wouldn't work! Brian, will you do 1 something for me?" Maybe I'd better hear about 1t first"
 Its nothing that would be so | terribly hard--at least 1 don't think 1t would be. Just to take me to a l few parties and be seen with me places. oh, it's the very thing! would you, Brian? Would you do | that?"
 'see here, I don't know what | you're getting att
 It's about Greg" she explained | Don't you see that if you begin taking me places and--sort of seem | fond of melt will be the best way l in the world to teach Gregg that he l cant order me around and bully ] pe the way he's been trying to? 1 Us exactly what he needs. You wouldn't have to keep it up long only until Greg comes to his | senses"
 l "Oh," he said, "I see. You want me to step in and play the heavy | lover until Greg gets the idea he's not wanted"
 l Vicky nodded. There was a gleam of almost feline satisfaction | in the dark eyes. "Of course" she said, "we'd only be pretending.'
 "Of course. Well, if all you want me to do is to be your attentive escort I don't know how I can re- | fuse"
 "You'n do it? You wi,l?" She 1 put both hands on his arm and drew him nearer. "Oh, Brian." she said, you are sweet' She looked very pretty as she | raised her face to his. eyes glow ing and the red lips slightly part ed. Another girl had disappointed him that evening. Brian Westmore said slowly. "Of course. I'll help you, Vicky. Of course I will" | (TO Be COntinued)
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