The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-06-05

e. you're not even listening" !" Sally pouted.
 "Yes, am. heard every single word"
 "Father's really pleased about our. engagement" Sally went on. 'ade pretened at first he wasn't you remember? Then he decided he was glad I was settling down. I've always had so much attention he was afraid I might run off and do something really crazy. You that orchestra leader l told you about down at Miami last year."
 Michael remembered.
 Well, and he thinks you're per- fly fine, Michael, honestly. Kiss me-" she demanded suddenly, greedily, ending the discussion as she always ended 1t.
 But he would not go into the bank, her fathers bank, to please her. He would not go with her to the country club or the yacht club or the swimming pool until he had proved himself. She could coax and bout as she would. Michael knew this much. A man had to be the master. He had to have the last word
 Dimly Sally recognized this strength, respected 1t, even while she attempted to tear it down.
 "He's a match for you" fat Jo- seps Moon said, with his wide smile. 'I don't care what the town people say, whether the old tabbies say you're getting a roughneck or what; he's a man."
 Sally tossed her head. "rhey're all jealous, that's what they are."
 She was jealous of every move Michael made. She had formed a habit of lettering around the riding academy even after her hours of exercises were ended. helpless in this particular had to listen to, a good deal of comment-criticism
 She wanted to make him over. She wanted to make the place over. When they were married, she would say, luxuriating in the thought, they would rebuild the house. They would put a glassed- in porch over there; they would add big, white-tiled kitchen.
 But you won't run the school any more, Michael?"
 He set his jaw stubbornly "Why not? It's the work I know best"
 She set herself the task of win ming him over. "Ah, but that won't do, Michael. You can raise horses for racing-for the track, you call it. We'll travel, Wouldn't you like that?"
 We're going to live on my in- come"
 "I'd simply adore it, if it could be done," said Sally, with the greatest possible aid of reason ableness. "But darling, 1t cannot be done." She punctuated the last three words with little but terfy kisses. "Is my great big man cross at his poor little girlie?" she demanded brightly.
 Michael surveyed her with g quizzical air. Sally, do you real. ize we've been over this ground at least three times before? Ant that yop've said precisely thu same thing?" ..
 Have we. sweets? We'll. Tn sorry. But you're such mule I have to say things a dozen times to make any impression"
 It was false position Michael was in. He knew 1t, and from gallantry, masculine weakness what you will - was unable tc free himself from 1t. Sally's adoration was often very sweet to him; this he would not deny But in the main he had the sen. sation of being a. very large. yer, clumsy fly caught in particular ly sticky web. Many men, he re minded himself, had married without being desperately in low, with the women they married He had been told this; he hat read 1t in books. Often fine mar riages were built on just suci foundations. Sally was pretty strong, healthy, generous. Wha more did he want? Tn his wildes dreams he, could not expect any thing more of a wife.
 Or could he? Wasn't there somewhere, spark waiting to b. kindled? Hadn't dark blue eye flashed message to him mor' than once during this drows, summer? Had he ever felt, for { single instant with Sally, one tenth of the pure emotion he hat known those few instants he hat held Katharine's slender body il his arms?
 We'll, that had been sort O madness. It was over now. Th' best way the clearest way--wai to take the path Sally had pointed out to him. She would be a tru, and faithful wife: they would some day, have strong children Sturdy little boys with Sally opaque, dark eyes and her flash ing smile. Why did he vince. in wardly. at the thought?
 One day in, early September h, was returning from a solitary rid, on the new dapple gray. The lat, evening was full of a soft ant mellow light. The first star ap peared, lamp-like, in skies thu tender color of opals.
 Michael rode into his own door yard. Sally's car was parked there. She was slumped over tn, wheel. with an azure circulai spread out before her. Sh' looked up and waved as he cam. past.
 Look. Marvellous, what rv, got!"
 Michael alighted and came ovel to stand by her. She was ros, and seductively dressed, fragrant and bright-eyed. Yet his hear was like a lump of lead; he saw inc nief4rrn maid frihutA - ya1