The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-01-30
CHAPTER XX

T remember every word Aunt Mary said" Barney put a big hand over her tightly clasped fingers "She said, Janet doesn't know her own mind now, Barney. But if any thing should happen to me, think you will be the first one she Will turn to. If you can persuade her to marry you then, don't wait---even If I should still be lying in state--out of Q mistaken respect for conven- ton. l don't worry about Cynthia now. She's shown more sense than I gave her credit for. And If know that Janet is with you, can stretch out in my grave and take c good nap"
 This from Aunt Mary, who never meddled with other peoples lives!
 She must have known, Janet thought, touched beyond words Something must have told her,
 Aloud she said, But Barney, all along it has seemed to me that what you and I have Is something SO much finer and saner and less complicated than the feeling peo- pie seem to mean when they talk about--love and marriage"
 "Now don't tell me, Jan" Barney interrupted with 6 flash Of something like his old humorous impatience," that you've been kidding yourself with that old tripe about platonic friendship. There isn't any such thing"
 But l never thought" Janet began again.
 Well, begin thinking about 1t now"
 When she only continued to shake her head helplessly, he took his hand from hers.
 "All right, forget it," he said "I suppose. after all, thinking does- nt do much good about things like this. You either know or you don't Forget 1t, Jan"
 Janet, who had found in the Shel- tor of Barney's arms the first real comfort and rest she had known for weeks. felt newly bereft and de- stited.
 "Barney," she began, "why can't we go on -- just the way we always"
 But he had got abruptly to his feet.
 "I1i run along now, Jan,' he sald. "You're too tired for this. You get yourself some rest I'll hnpe some supper sent in for you, und come back later to sec if there 0 nnything 1 can do"
 B,i Ianet's hands had found his ccat sleeves and were clinging with ail her strength.
 Don't go Barney" she cried hgAinH, his shoulder, "Please don't leave me evcr again. It rests me ju4t in have you here. I need you Do terribly. Barney"
 iie stOod for moment. looking down at her; then he took her quickly into his arms and kissed her.
 1T wonder" he said half to him self. Well, that's something, any how.'
 Janet and Barney were married tho day after Aunt Mary's funeral
 The morning before the cero- rnony she went through m hour of terrible misgivings. during which she wondered whether or not Sho were bringing the new rela- tionShip anything that Barney had c right to expect Except for c great need for his companion- ship and genuine affection for him, she had 10 little to offer. It seemed to be oil taking and no givs ing. Did Barney really understand, after oil. just how she felt2
 But when he came for her. he was so completely the good com radc she knew 70 well that most of her doubts vanished.
 They were married in Sylvia Grants home, with only one or two old friends present. Afterwards, they would 90 to Aunt Mary's apartment until cynthia and Tim- othy Benton returned. and she and cynthia could arrange about the disposal of Aunt Mary's cherished possessions,
 "After that, I naturally can't promise to support you in the