The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-01-11
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 "I hope I didn't interfee with anything really important" she said, slipping her arm through his as they came down the steps. But my car was in the shop and felt I must get these things to my needy families. Could you really spare the time. or are you doing this to please mcT
 ITO please you" He smiled, knowing that was the answer she wanted.
 "You're sweet" Valeria laid a caressing hand on his arm. She moved closer to him.
 I'm giving you the whole day off tomorrow" she continued. .'There's a meeting of my commit | tee in the afternoon and a confer ence about the clinic tomorrow night. I shall miss seeing you ter- ribly."
 "IIl miss seeing you too," Peter said. l came to him as a shock to find that he meant 1t. Valeria was getting to be a habit with him. The soothing, fiattering way of hers had been balm for his wounds. The feel | Ing that he was essential to some woman's happiness was not un- | pleasant. We'll, why not? After all. Ann had found him not worth loving. Had found the thought of belong ing to him intolerable.
 i've found out about you Peter. And I cannot possibly bear it...." All he needed to feel sick-psyi- cally, mentally and spiritually was to remember that phrase in Ann's letter. Scorning him and cast ing aside all he had to offer her. Even millions had not been suffi- cient to make her lot bearable with him.
 And here was Valeria, becoming more womanly all the time; show ing qualities he had missed in her before.
 Thinking of this, Peter patted her head, saying awkwardly, You've ben sweet to me, Valeria. | wish I could make up for 1t. Some way"
 "Oh, Peter. you are!" There was a silence after that. A breathless silence, as Valeria waited for his reply. But Peter said nothing, only drowned intently into space.
 It was worth waiting for-Peter's surrender, Valeria settled con- tentedly against the seat. Let's drive out to the house Wednesday night. want to see 1t with the lights on. And I'd love to see the garden and river by moon- light"
 Peter said, The furniture isn't there yet. Wouldn't you rather waltz"
 "No. We can go again."
 'What'll l do with the place now?"
 Please don't be sorry. I've been happy thinking it was helping you"
 I'm an ungrateful idiot. What time shall I come by for you?">
 About eight"
 "Afterward we might drive to Ingleside and talk to MT Vincent. | He'd be pleased"
 "Tll give< him a ring and ask | him to meet us at the house." Peter | said.
 Allan said to Ann, q need you this afternoon. Will you go shop piA6 WAIh he 11lS oalh eyeS met hers eagerly.
 "I'll be too busy"
 "You haven't an alibi. I'm treat ing the children to kids matinee and Sadie has been handsomely tipped to give up her afternoon off and take them."
 Ann, there are times when I'm not sure of your sanity. An attrac- tive girl like you turning into a recluse." Allan, I-"c
 q warn you if you don't come with me, I'm prepared to be an in- fernal nuisance. Sadie and the chill dren will be away. Lois will be gone. Just you and l."
 He had been drinking, Ann saw. Not much, but enough to be the nuisance he boasted he would. In this mood, he reminded her of Tony.
 "All right" Ann agreed, If you really ned help I'll come"
 T find I'm no good at decorating without you," he said whimically. wen spend the afternoon looking at tapestries and rugs, at silks and satins, at Chippendale and Shcra- ton pieces, at Directoire day beds and Empire chairs. We'll talk color schemes. Does the program suitT
 Perfectly"
 He laughed. What a queer girl you are-more interested in mak- ing another woman's home beauti- full than in planning one of your own!"
 My own!" she spoke impul- sively, then flushed.
 He spoke roughly, Il suppose I'm bound not to follow that opening Let's get going"
 :. It was not a happy afternoon Ann trailing beside Allan, listen- ing to his expert comments.
 
 Allan Vincent was in love with her. Or was he? If he were, 1t was d different type of love than Tony had offered her. Tony's love had | emotion. Ann had the feeling that about Allan Vincent's feeling for her., It lacked devotion. yet 1t was not a light emotion, either. His hand had shaken as he lifted cig- | aret. His eyes had smoldered. He was starved for affection. Lonely. isolated. That must be 1t. Oh, why had this happened to her? Now everything would be changed. All the friendliness would be gone. She would feel self-con- scious, constrained. Perhaps 1t would be better to go away. Ann, I've asked you twice what you think of this wrought iron flower stand"
 T think it's beautiful" And these wedgewood urns for the garden"
 Lovely" He gave her scornful glance. What a help you are. Let's go home" | Shadows were closing about the bungalow when they drove up. A light flashed on in Mrs Tracy's bedroom. Allan shot look at Ann, as he shut off the ignition. Glad Lois is in, aren't you.?" | He mid Whpn aha did mt rarlxy