The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1935-05-24

luck to come on 80 easily. DOM
you think could take her OF with
me to-night7"
sThe doctor advised letting her
stay till morning. Violet Merser
smiled at him. tXou,d rather get
her out of my house, Wouldn't
your"
Nonsense, nonsenseE I am eter-
nally indebted to you Tor your
kindness to Katlarinel"
''I'm not going to tell her any
thing about-us." said the woman
with deliberation.
s'NAtura1ly, you wouldn't. You're
. most sensible woman, Violet. I
always said 50 !"
s'Not sensible enough!' A sar-
donic touch to her voice now.
That is, I'll not say a word. on
Dne condition.
He stared. "And that?r
'That you let her come to see
me occasionally. That you don't
attempt to wean her away from
me. I like the child. I've taken a
great fancy to her. I've two of my
own now. Victor, you see.''
Really! But OF course you must
be friends with Katharine. Why
not ?"
There may be another objec-
lion to that" commented Violet
Mersers dryly. "Your wife Z"
'.Ah, you didn't take a fancy to
Berthe, can see that" Putting
back his handsome head, the law
yer gave the hearty laugh she SO
well remembered.
Berthe is all right. She means
well. It's not so easy, you know.
to raise another woman's child"
Violet Merser smiled to herself.
She could almost hear the second
Mrs. Strykhurst's voice. He had
been told that many. many times.
IT agree. had a stepmother
myself. Looking back now. I can
see that sometimes she meant
well :"
You're very coy here" His eyes
roamed around the sitting rooms
i've always noticed this place. De-
cent bit of garden"
Stan inherited it from his
uncle" the woman told him. 'I
married Stan Merser. the iiius-
traitor"
Interesting, murmured the
man, at a loss. "Well. well, violets
must be getting back. My wife
will wonder II something has hap-
pened."
She allowed him to clasp hec
slender hand in his fieshy ones
'And--And we didn't know each
other before, Victor!"
Right you are!" There was re.
lief in the words. Explanations
ire so tiresome."
She stood, smiling rather wryly
after him.
Katharine came down the stairs
slowly the following morning.
You're all right?' Violet's eyes
sought hers anxiously. outside
Berthe sat at the wheel of the big
Ear. Ellen, with suitcase, fol-
lowed her young mistress.
ooh, I'm perfectly fine. Just have
70 get my land legs again.
well. it's been lovely having
you."
SybiI and Diana were on the
edge of the group, their long legs
brown and slim under the brief
shorts of their white play suits.
do come again to see us. Miss
Katharine. Please dol"
"Oh, will! And there must be
puppy for the basket,
there? A nice quiet one
who will stay at home when he's
.old TOT"
"oh, yes. yes" they chorused.
UP and down.
Berthe smiled stiffly, her COM
pany smile. She climbed out to
assist Ellen who was helping
in.
Thank you ever SO much, Mrs
Merser. My husband and l are
.ternally grateful"
The words were right, but the
one withheld much. Berthe was
aging, behind that pleasant mask
If hers: but of course no one
Knows the Mersers in Innicock. We
,hall smile and bow to you in Main
street, OF course: that is all.
Katharine waved to them until
he car disappeared out OF sights
around the bend.
Mummy, who was the fattish
nan who came after we went to
bed last night?" SYPHILIS wistfuls
round face with its long golden
name was lifted to her mothers.
"Oh, you bad ones, you were
supposed to be asleepi'
I'VE peeked," Sybil said con-
1--WE heard the car st0u
Ind saw him come up the walk.
Was that Miss Katharine's daddy
Ind was he nice?
VERY nice" said Violet absentiy.
Diana pounced upon her.
Mummy, you're not listening.
IAN always tell when you're not
You use such q PARKWAY
,oice."
"oh, do I? But was, really,
his time. Sybil asked II Katha-
ines father were nice and I said
res, he was,
But sort of puffy, Mummy
wasn't he? It wasn't quite dark
Ind We got goad look at him. Not
nearly so good-looking as Miss
Don't you think she's
beautiful. Mummy? Sort Of like a
movie starr"
eyes, do. She's really lovely"
"Shall I ever be that lovely, do
,ou suppose. II / stop biting my
rails and things?" Sybil asked
II think very likely. Look. il
We want to get down to the village
o get things for lunch we'd better
start"
Violet wheeled the little car out
ind the two hoped into It.
Mummy, what were you mutt
ering to yourself just now?''
She flashed her dark eyes at
hem. "Just song some one I,
rnow used to sing. The words OF
I, mean. Don't remember the
une."
what were they, Mums?"
Violet answered: "Oh how l.
augh. when think how ! cried
bout your .
tTo BE Continued,