The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-06-29
CHAPTER x

Marcias first reaction, as she Gaw the intimacy of that corner table where Bob and Camilla sat was relief. Once upon @ time such e brief time, too, she would have experienced Q swift, hurting pang because Bob had chosen another. Not tonight. The spell was broken. Bob was gay and handsome, tender, and devoted, perhaps, in his way. But that was not enough. He wasn't Q tower of courage, pillar of strength--all those strange, old fashioned phrases at which she had smiled 50 brightly such little time ago. She no longer respected him, and without respect, love was sym thetic, never real.
 She led the way to the table, sat down, chatted gaily, ordered hot milk and toasted wafers, all the time aware of new independence that was like a lovely, releasing tide. Because she was free, her eyes were softer, the color in her cheeks was brighter, and the man who 50 soon was to go back to the Pampas noticed these things. He was aware, too, that her hair outshone the red dish-gold of the silk frock she wore and her hands were slim and white against the dark wood of the bare table at which they sat. He won- dered, suddenly, what those hands would do with few yards of cre- tonne, frying pan. and coffee pos. Then he smiled cynically be- ca.Nc he had thought of that. He did not interpret her vivacity in terms of relief-no, she was ex- erting herself because she loved Bob, and Bob had been found with Camilla.
 rhil did not think, either, that Bob had any special interest in Camilla. Rather, he believed, that Marcia's ex-fiance was reverting to the feline trick of arouslng jeal- ousy. The cadl Bob should be trounced, and he'd like t o do 1t. Marcia was responding, Phil de- cided a little bitterly. Well, he himself would be out of all this tomorrow. He would be alone and the free winds would blow away the confusion. Tn 8 little while now he would be back in mans world a mans world, true, that was rather empty without a woman He would not pro- pose to Camilla again. He had been mistaken. He might have felt some impulse, though, on the basis of his years Of devotion If tonight hadn't given him new perspective. Camilla, he reasoned, who cared nothing for Bob and knew that the man mattcred to Marcia, shouldn't have accepted a late invitation from Bob. Oh the devil
 Excuse me. all of you, won't you? I'm getting off at dawn 50 l think I'll turn in."
 He left abruptly. Five minutes later Marcia said, I'm getting sleepy. too. I'll see you in the morning"
 "Wait minute or two. We'll go along,' Bob said, but Marcia shook her head.
 T might get awake and don't like to lie and count white sheep Good night, Marcia. Goodby, Bob.
 Marcia saw Phil of the next morning - saw him of in a gray dawn and felt like crying because he was going away.
 Marcia, you were grand to get up and say goodby to me-" he said blue eyes warm and strong hands very Arm on her fingers. "ThosC other slecpyhcads haven't any manners"
 Maybe she would never see him again. He might not return tC Paris, or she might be gone when he came. Standing in the lobby Marcia thought of these things with a Sickening lesscning of hei spirits.
 This was goodby, Phil wal thinking. Not farewell or au re- voir or auf wiedersehen. Marcia was going to marry another mar and there was no need for her tc ever know that he had been sim picton enough to wish that hei rejected suitor had stayed in tho discard.
 "Goodby, Marcia. And - luckl'
 "Just A. so long, Phil" Then, a. unexpectedly to herself as to tho