The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-08-05
RgISUN-TAN
BY NARD JONES o nss NEA ss~sa i~
SYNOPSIS

eccentric mother takes n dislike
20 the girl. BABS MONTGOM-
ERY, a school acquaintance who
Is Jealous of JOS popularity,
comes to the inn. PETER FRA
COMET, film actor, and his wife
ARE also guests.
Fragonet pays 10 marked Mt.
tentions, tells her he loves her
and begs her to marry him as
soon as he can secure a divorce.
He goes to Hollywood, promising
to return soon.
Bret Paul comes to Crest Lake
as the life guard.
FragOnet's company decide to
make part of a picture at Crest
Lake. SILAS DRAM, director,
and several others arrive.
10, taking walk alone one
evening, hears someone call her
name.
CHAPTER XIV
Enjoying the moon, Jo?"
This time the girl recognized
the voice as belonging to Bret
Paul, With another stride Bret
stepped from the shadows of the
path and into the clear moonlight
I rejecting up from the shimmering
lake.
at was just going to walk along
the shore of the lake." 10 told him
with a cordial smile. Want to
come along"
He hesitated the fraction of a
moment long enough for 10 to
sense that he had other plans. But
he managed at last to say, I'D like
to very much, Jo."
She smiled quizzically. Perhaps
you'd better not Bret, if you have
an appointment"
st haven't an appointment" he
answered stiffly. "Babs said she
might take a walk tonight and l
told her 1 might run into her
that's ALL"
10 was somehow enjoying his
discomfort thoroughly. well, If
we should meet her there's no rea-
son why we can't make it three
some hike, is there? Or do you
think three and the moon is a
crowd ?"
Bret fell into step with her.
"Don't start kidding me, 10. don't
feel like being kidded."
"Oh =" she put surprise into
her ejaculation. Then it's that
serious?"
Don't be a fool" he told her
roughly. you know darned we'll
I've never been serious about Babs
Montgomery. Only fellow gets
mighty lonesome up here, Jo."
Lonesome? With all this mob ?"
n11 nj fr1,t
for you. But don't belong, and
don't want to, really. I'm just the
life guard"
"And I'm just the hostess 10
laughed.
"But you're a girl, and darned
pretty one. You've all the men
chasing you, so of course you're
not lonely"
''Not all, Bret" objected 10 with
a laugh.
When he answered, his voice
was touched with faint anger.
do you want any more? This
aviator fellow, and Marsh - and
this crazy Fragonet :"
'That's not quite true, Bret. I'll
admit that Mr.. Fragonet has been
a little-well, silly. But Todd Bar
ston is just a good friend. and
Douglas Marsh Is only my en-
ployer."
''Does your work include having
dinner with him at the Lone Tree
TAVERN
his arm. "Bret, let's not get started
on that again. Besides, you've been
listening to the veranda chorus,
I'm afraid"
1T haven't been listening to any,
thing" Bret said. I'm not alto
gether blind" He turned to her
suddenly. 40. I don't want to be
unpleasant every time we meet.
But 1t hurts me to see you acting
like this"
''Hurts you?" repeated 10, be-
4 wildered.
He nodded. "Of course 1t does.
Good Lord, 10! Do you think
could love you as much as-as did
and not care what you do now?"
"That's true, Bret" admitted 10
slowly. "That's why I don't want
our friendship to be spoiled, ever.
But somehow we seem to be unable
to avoid arguments" She looked
out across the lake for a silent mo-
ment, then added, IF you could
just believe in me, Bret. Why can't
you now? You used to believe in
me-"
you've changed he told her
quickly. II don't believe you real
ize yourself how much you've
changed-and that's what makes it
hurt all the more"
10 faced him squarely, and when
she spoke again her words were
slow. careful. measured. perhaps
I have changed. Do you really
think a girl could be just the same
after what happened, Bret?"
"What do you mean?"
81 mean I loved you, Bret. I
doubt IL you ever realized how
much. because I don't think any
man ever realizes how much a
woman loves him. He's so wrapped
mp in himself, so intent with his
own love" She stopped, biting
her lips. Bret, I'd have followed
you anywhere, I'd have done any
thing in the world for you.
thought there wasn't any man in
\ the world quite like you"
"But, Jo-"
"Please let me finish." 10 in
ferrupted. 81 thought there was
MT any man in the world like you,
Bret--and then you walked into
the apartment that night and
showed me you'd take the word of
someone else against mine.'
you'd lied to me already" Bret
reminded her. you told me you
had to work, and then 1 found
you'd been dancing with Marsh"
II know. Bret. I'm not trying to
defend myself. I'm only trying to
expIain why I've changed. l lied
10 you. think. because l was all
confused. I'd never had to have
3ob before, and then suddenly
los was the most important thing
IL the world. But you wouldn't