The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-29
CHAPTER XXII

Connie told Bret after dinner that same evening that she was going away with Rodney Brandon.
 This had been the first dinner they had had together since their anniversary. It was the cus- tomary affair, stiff and silent, Con- nie at one end of the long narrow table, Bret at the other, waited upon by the two impeccable Eng fish buffers.
 Bret had remarked, after the first meal of this sort, that he had no appetite when there were two such pompous lackeys lowering so close to his elbows, pressing so much food and service upon him, hanging upon his every wish, even the ones uneXpreSSed.
 T can't swallow" he had pro- tested. Why, for heavens sake, can't 8 groWn-up man reach across his own table for a second helping, If he wants it?"
 Connie had laughed and made the usual remark: that Bret would get used to it. But now, tonight, after more than year of such dinners with such elaborately painful service Bret found him self no more used to it, liking it less, than ever.
 Suppose we have coffee in the drawing room - by ourselves" he suggested, crumpling up his nap kin. q think Mrs. Hardesty can pour, without any assistance" he added to Graeves and Benson.
 Since this suited Connie perfect ly she did not offer any objection. In the drawing room, she sat down on 8 divan near the fire, indicated that Graeves might place the cof- fee service on the low table before her. She knew that she looked very lovely and desirable tonight with the freight playing on her golden hair, accenting the curve of her cheeks, the violet shadows of her eyes. She wore loose flow ing hostess gown of dark wine vel vet, its long sleeves banded in rich dark fur. It was costume that Bret had said he liked, better per- haps than any other. Which, in congruously, since she told herself she no longer cared what he liked, was her reason for having worn 1t.
 "I have something to tell you," Bret said, speaking slowly, choosing his words. This seems as good an opportunity as any"
 "That's odd" Connie laughed, shrugged her shoulders. T have something to tell you this evening, too" She handed him his cup of coffee. Perhaps had better tell you first. With no beating about the bush,' as the saying goes.
 Perhaps you had" he answered Rravely. He set the cup down, not tasting its contents.
 Connie said, I'm going away tonight. With Rodney Brandon
 Bret did not answer. He picked up his cup now, drank slowly.
 Haven't you anything to say?' Connie demanded.
 Bret put down his coffee. What Is there for me to say?" he asked "Surely you don't expect me to object, stage a row? That would not be modern"
 I'm glad you've decided to be- have that way - at last" Connie said. "Of course, after you divorce me, Rodney and I shall most prob ably marry"
 But have no intentions of divorcing you," Bret returned quietly.
 T imagine you'll change your mind," Connie said. After all, 1t will be the only decent thing you can do, to divorce me-"
 "You seem to forget" Bret said s'that I don't happen to believe in divorce, or want one. married you, intending to stay married to you. I realized I was taking the risk that 1t might not turn out toe well: you realized that, too. But in spite of everything we were married. As for my changing my mind, let me assure you, that nc matter what you do - how many men you run away with - l shall not divorce you"
 That's not very modern - oi eivilized!"
 eve never pretended to be Uither one."
 "You mean you'd let me go on with Rodney, and yet you Woulo not give me my freedomP"
 Bret got up, took a turn about the room, came back to stand IT. front of her. My dear" he said ~you are always talking about