The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-03-29
The Story Of a Girl Who Played Love Against Fame
CHAPTER |

W0&AAAVAA eo A4C H0A VV0 VAN brush, bridged a wide ditch easily and emerged on the open backwoods road.
 He Squinted eyes a trifle deeper but of the same clear blue as the sky above him And squinting, his tanned face broke into little erin kles around his eyes and into ul1accustomed furrows on a broad brow that was lighter where the line of his hair began.
 He thrust his hands into brooches pockets, squared his shoulders and swung Into a brisk stride.
 Over his shoulder he addressed his companion: Getting on toward lunch" He was agreed with, he gathered, by the enthusiastic tail wagging at the heels of his riding boots.
 "Now, my good fellow" he con tintled, having an appreciative audi ence, If this were the New England of legend, we would approach the next dwelling with a pleasant smile and a hungry look and be invited to join the family at its monday meal. As it is, we've got to find our way out of this maze of backwoods and push on to our hosts"
 He glanced at his watch, saw that it was 20 minutes past noon. Then he saw the spreading gables of the gray house through frame of trees and whistled softly to himself.
 It brought a light to his eyes this picture of majestic chimneys that rose to the tops of aged trees the grace of dwelling and grounds melloWing together and growing into ca ,il other, the overtones of bright pfaks and yellows, the blues ob- scured against the glowing fresh greens of the garden, colors that were like bright ribbons on a lady's gray gown.
 There was, as he had expected, a wall of field stone high high. He swung himself onto it.
 "It's Ina past twelve, Miss Da- phne," strident voice from within the house echoed. "Whatcha want for lunch?"
 Daphne Brett pushed back a strand of black curly hair from a white and perspiring brow and sat back on her heels.
 "If you've brought eggs, there'll, be scrambled eggs, bread and but ter and fruit. I didn't bring any, thing else from town she called frem the top of the stair well. Then, aLxiously:
 .sDRUNELLA, have a look at how
 the gardens coming, will you? If it looks as though it wouldn't take more than an hour to clear out the, worst weeds, tell the boys they can run home for lunch. Then. you'd better get to work on the din- ing room
 "Yes, ma 'am," Prunella answered cheerfully. Just stop worryin about this downstairs. I got things most ready. Sure you don't want me to give you hand up there?'
 Daphne rubbed the spot in her back that was beginning to burn and said, ''No, thanks, I'll be f1n- ished here by three. They won't be here until four"
 My Sakes, but it'll seem strange to have anybody but Bretts Twin in this house." the conversational voice continued from below.
 You're telling mel" Daphne Brett muttered and gave her mop vicious squeeze.
 We allus hoped you'd be comin back to Transport when Jennifer was graduated from that finishin' school" Prunella carried on. ' We will some day soon," Daphne answered with a cheerfulness she didn't feel. Her disappointment filled her unhappily again. She, too, had hoped that the two of them would be back here. Five years away from the home she loved hadn't changed her affection and longing for it.. Five crowded busy years ill New York. Five years hoping for this very month until Jennifer's let ter had come saying that she was going on to Maine to spend the summer with a schoolmate and could Daphne send her an extra hundred?
 An extra hundred?
 Daphne suppressed a sigh and hurried to the top of the staircase. "Prunella, be sure to tell Willie Cox to bring back the fruit cake and sandwiches ordered from his mother"
 Fruit cake and sandwichesw Ii Daphne had said caviar and truf- es, Prunella's voice couldn't have been any more expressive of her feelings. Just because you're try in' to rent house don't mean you have to give tea party"
 ss1T,HIS time it does," Daphne said
 4 firmly and added, Tt cost me six dollars-a lot of money-for the ad in the Sunday paper. I've got to ASAAV tAAAc PAdNC 4OA OAAS need the money, Prunella. So it's up to me to show the Snyders what a home-like place this is. How much time have I before lunch?"
 You got quarter of n hour" Prunella, ex-Schoolmate, friend and maid d-of- f-all-work, answered and went to fetch the eggs from the back porch.
 "EIil"
 prunella strengthened and her eyes followed the hailing voice to the figure seated on the back garden wall Another tramp, she thought, and took another look. She re- xeated hastily and called: Miss Daphne, one ot 'emfs cO.nc. Gee out back" 1he company she was waiting for would hardly be tout back, !" Daphne thought, and stole hurried glance | out the south window, saw the dusty ]