The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-06
CHAPTER II

are you going to marry me?" Rodney asked. He had per suaded Connie to slip away to the little summer house that often served as a ren- dezvous when they wanted a few moments alone.
 "When?" Connie mur- mured.
 "When," Rodney repeated. "You can't expect me to want to wait much longer, darling. In fact I can't see any reason now for waiting at all."
 Connie tilted her head to one side, regarding him. You manage to sound like the impatient lover, Rodney - almost. Somehow, you don't make it quite convincing. For my part I can't see any reason to hurry"
 From the marquee the low music of a lanquid waltz f1oated out to them, mingling with the soft shush- shush of the surf pounding against the wall. A night for romance surely; the stage all set, the char acters in costume. Yet-waS romance missing?
 You're not going to keep put ting me of now, I hope" Rodney bent toward her, smiling. He was seldom ruffled, seldom angry. He was too poised; one might have said, tos perfect. Just as he was almost too handsome in his impeccable dinner jacket.
 Connie shrugged her lovely shoul- ders. Sometimes she wished Rodney would get angry. It would make life more exciting. What fun was 1t to quarrel, if the other person never would fight back? She said, I'll marry you next year, or tomorrow. What difference will 1t make? Things will just go on the same, anyway"
 Rodney laughed. That's not too dattering to my male vanity. But as I've told you, I'll take you on any terms, my dear. I'm such lucky beggar to get you" He took her hand in his. Would you really marry me tomorrow, darling?"
 sswhv not?" Connie asked.
 He said, T wish I could believe you"
 ''You could, perhaps, if you'd make me believe myself Whats thatl" She threw back her head, listening. There had been sound in the vines on the wall, or from the trees overhead, that must have been more than the wind signing.
 Rodney said he had not heard anything. He said, You see. AL ready you're trying to elude the is- sue at hand. Tomorrow 1t will be the same. It's taken me all my life even to make you announce our engage ment. wish I could make you :"
 T know I heard something" Connie interrupted. Perhaps we should go back" She got to her feet. He jumped to his. He put his arms around her.
 "Don't go-not quite yet" he pleaded. She did not resist him. Yet there was no response in her arms or on her lips.
 Suddenly there was a loud re- port: a flash of binding light. A voice said, Hold itl" A man had slipped up the stairs toward them.
 How did you get in here?" Connie asked sharply. She pushed Rodney away; her blue eyes smoldered.
 The man laughed. T scaled the wall. Quite 8 feat, let me assure you, Miss Corby. But 1t was worth it."
 "Rodneyl" Connie whirled on him. Aren't you going to do something?'
 ~what can I do?' Rodney gave her his slow smile.
 "Throw him outl Break his old camera ."
 "Oh, come nowl You wouldn't have him do that, Miss Corby.' Nevertheless the cameraman began to edge away.
 wouldn't II Nothing would give me more pleasure. We posed dozen or more times, gave out interviews SO that you'd let us alone Can't a person have any privacy at any time any where?"
 Not when she's the richest girl in the world, Miss Corby." The cameraman laughed again, said he was sorry. He put his hand on the wall. He could hoist himself over it, manage the sheer drop to the beach; but how he ever had scaled 1t, especially keeping his camera in- tact, remained a puzzle.
 Aren't you going to do some thing?" Connie demanded of Rodney once more.
 He did not seem to resent the intrusion. "Oh, let the fellow have the picture. He's earned 1t. Though you'd better get going now" Rod ney addressed the photographer Tor I'll have to summon the guards.
 'sThat won't be necessary" the man returned. He tipped his hat to Connie, said, ''Thanksl' again before he disappeared over the side of the wall.
 T hope he breaks his neck," Con- nie said. f1ercely. Her hands were clenched at her sides. "As for you. D the fire in her eyes had not abated as she turned them on Rodney. T hope I never see you againl" She swept him out of her way, when he would have stopped her, broke into a run.