The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-06-18

there was just a trace of apprehen- sion in his suave manner. Violet went straight to the point.
 Its about Katharine"
 His brows drew together in a frown. My daughter? An, yes, you know her. forgot"
 Violet suppressed the smile that rose to her lips. He never forgot anything. Lawyer-like, the facts that one day might be useful to him were always pigeonholed some where in his memory.
 She's anxious to go on a trip with friend of ours, Miss Vim cent. She's have chance to paint. Evelyn Vincent is splendid wo. man = she thinks Katharine has talent that should be encouraged She chose her words with the greatest cautions. Not for worlds would she have him suspect the secret that ate at Katharine's very soul.
 He shook his head, obdurate. My wife and I talked it over last night. Mrs. Strykhurst is very much opposed to 1t. Later we may run over to Europe with her. She can look in on tho galleries. Violet suppressed a shudder at the thought of the unhappy girl trailing the two smug, middle-aged people, wrapped in her own black thoughts.
 q rather hoped you would say yes"
 His keen eyes raked her hand- some expressive face. You con- sidcred this important enough to come down town to sec me about?"
 She shrugged her shoulders. 'I was in the neighborhood just thought I'd drop in."
 Katharine is a difficult child" Victor Strykhurst unused, putting the tips of his beautifully mani cured hands together and regard Ing them. "She seems to have made friends with you. Her step mother and are sometimes gaffled
 Violet felt almost an impulse of pity. Perhaps he wasn't as smug and sure of himself as he seemed. Perhaps there was a chink in that selfish armor. She tried another tack.
 II know you want to do what's best for her" she began. We do feel she might blossom out in different atmosphere. My husband thinks she Is very good. Have you seen her flower sketches?"
 By the darkening of his face she knew she had touched some raw spot.
 "She never speaks to us of her ambitions" he said jealously II must confess I think it extremely odd of her to confde In perfect strangers. He smiled. as if ter- ry but I'm afraid we must let the New Mexican idea ride just now She must stay at home."
 The memory of Katharlne's de- spairlng voice steadied Violet and strengthened her for what she had to say.
 "Very well, then. If you won't, you won't. l warn you, though, it may be unpleasant ."
 What do you mean?" He had risen, as had she. They faced each other across an expensive of gloam- Ing mahogany.
 "I mean, said Violet easily, that I've often been tempted to tell your daughter about our asso- citation. I've never quito got to the point"
 You wouldn't darc!' His eyes flashed.
 "Ah, wouldn't IF" She snapped open petit-point compact and looked at herself in It's mirror
 You'd be a fool then"
 "Ah, dear Victor" cried the woman, with the voice of dove and (she hoped) the wisdom of the serpent, but didn't you tell me onco was just that? When I'd refused to go away on little trip with you? It wouldn't have looked well in the newspapers later, would it?"
 She loathed herself for the words and the manner but she kept tho memory of Katharine before her.
 q don't know what you're talk ing about"
 Don't you?" said Violet slowly.
 Really don't you remember? :? Because. If not. have three let-