The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-09-03
Start To-day This Story
 Of Love And Mystery \ In a Grim Old Mansion
CHAPTER I


 and wearing on their collars the shining bars of second leuenancy bumped squarey into another Each nut tered Pardon at the time and hastened on his way Each was about to Each going home first for brief visit with adored wife and child Each, during that vst took his knees his baby daughter and caressed her, wondered if he would back to the things he oved-home and wife and child.
 Brian Chalmers turning 2yearold Elaine back to her sedate English nurse pulled of the chds sunny curs teasingly "Goodby Beautiful! You'll be asleep when pull out in the morning If don't back, don't take any wooden nickels stepfathers!
 The child laughed with delight at the jolly, meaning less words her father saying She liked his pungent tobaccoish shaving smell and the feel of his ean hard cheek against her She liked his big polished boots and funny belt that went around his waist and up over one shoulder "By Daddy she said, kissing him rapturously.
 "She likes men, the chds mother drawled. She was beautiful in clinging sea-green negllgee with face that rather soft and petuan She's going to be man-hungry that girl little witch I'm already ]eal- of her."
 The man drew his wife to the of his chair and buried his face in the scented lace of her negge You like men, too" he accused If Pm blown to atoms over there you'll select the besookng mourning in town You'll wear it becomngy for and the day you step out of it you'll marry Hgate Deal!
 "Darlingy' she reconstructed Must you be spiteful about all the who have nice safe jobs in Washington
 "No," answered Brian Chalmers. "only when they're your old sutors and still in love with you Gwen you'll take good of Elaine, won't you?
 The woman's eyes opened in surprise. What thing to say to the chlds mother! Please remember, dear that love her, too put in hours and hours selecting her little frocks and toys.'
 "I know" the man nodded impatiently "But Pm think ing of her character, Gwen, and things like that want her to grow up be fine and straight and dependable He paused uncertainty and lit cigaret. Lord! What DO want her He looked after the lovely child she todded up broad stairway holding tightly to her nurses hor+ have world that will make her happy Yes, he repeated It, rather like "-anythng in the world that will make her happy. THE other young named George Woodson He and l his wife, Eleanor beautifully and simply in love with each other that this short leave of his like bit in horror Through hour of it's ra diance the relentless drumeat of approaching ration, of submarnenfesed and war to be fought
 They were restless in their love and forebodng George said Lets walk along the river this evening" It's swell in October"
 'Pd thought of picnic supper there" Eleanor replied "At the little where used to go when en- gagged. But there's Baby Ruth, dear She has croupy in to look after her, but Pm just afraid do you mind terribly? I've party for us in the cebox cold chicken and all the things you love-"
 George Woodson took his wife in his arms Mind, dear? It doesn't matter to where just you are enough to touch Tell me, Eleanor If don't come back will you promise-?"
 Her dark eyes widened in pain and she quickly laid
  think ity
 q will p he replied stubborny Its got to be said We've evaded long enough If fail to back, you're ready to go gamely That will be your duty, just it's mine to go and de if necessary to this bloody ended"
 She replied in a untitled voice from his Your part easier than mine George I'd rather and fight than wait here I'd rather die in battle than be left with out my very heart"
 q know" he said soohingly. T know" To himself he was thinking: "War is heish Just three years ago nfho in Tho kn the way she walked along picking up red leaves sticking them in her hat loved the way laughed and the way she sang little off key like happy child loved the way she closed her when she kissed still love these things in her. I'd like to go loving them forever Instead I'm going off to dizzy that somebody else started and maybe have gus torn out with cold steel bayonet-'
 George" Eleanor said, you're shivering. Are you cold?"
 "No" he replied You're imagining things. What started out to say dear is this If shouldn't back you'll have Ruth to take of It's not if we had and brothers and sisters to help There's no body you'll have any real claim But here be in- surance My risk insurance and $2OOO more of the regular kind I'll show you the papers tonight"
 "There's in your urging to live on," she said "f you don't come back to me. wouldn't couldn't.