The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-02-02

diggings. I'll get them and unpacE my books as soon as I'm--" he broke off: then finished hastily, "as soon as I have time." .
 When they sat down 70 dinner Janet said, "Is the war all over at the officer By this time, old Owl face must know that it's your story that's selling the News. I couldn't even get a copy today"
 "Ah, himP" Barney's face dark ened. Should you m;nd talking about something else, honey?" he asked abruptly. I've used so many high-powered words on him today that I haven't any left to do jus tice to the subject"
 of course" Janet said cheer
 fully, although she fe.S snubbed and left out. Why talk shop, any howp"
 So they talked about cynthia and Timothy Benton--who was very much better; about the new trick can opener Barney had brought home which he said would do everything about the house but answer the door; about the dog show, in which Leslie Pugh was entering two cocker spanielS; and finally about the fact that Hallowell and Benton had had to lay of some of their best men, because, 1t seemed, Timothy Benton's money had been taking care of the pay roll for the past six months.
 "Was--I wonder if Lance was one of them?" Janet asked.
 And Barney said without meeting her glance, Why, Lance was out several weeks ago, Jan. Didn't you knowp But he won't suffer. l hear he's doing pretty well on his own"
 At something in his manner, Janet set down her coffee cup and clasped her hands tightly.
 Listen, Barney" she said quiet ly. "Theres one thing I want un- derstood once and fer all, Larce doesn't mean anything to me. He hasn't for a long tins. II he h%N, I shouldn't have married you, Barney"
 Barney said quickly-too quickly, "Of course not, Jan. I know that
 cynthia came in early next morn- ing, flushed with news.
 Tim was practically well again. and they were going out of town. A new oil field had been opened in the Southwest; and friend who had heard about Tim's financial re- verses had wired hm to come on and take charge of operations in his holdings.
 "Tim says we may have to live in a tent or a box car,' cynthia told Janet, her eyes bright. "He thought I'd better wait here. Im- agine! I'm going to love it.
 Janet said, T think you really will, Cyn,"
 And about Aunt Mary's bills, Jan," cynthia said. We found them in her desk after you left .. I won- der If you'd mind-they really are colossal--if we sold some of her antiques to pay them. l know you and Barney can't, and frankly, just now, we can't either. The rest of the things we'll put in storage until one of us needs them
 "She always meant them for you, Cyn. You must do what you think best"
 After all, that was what Aunt Mary would like--to pay her own passage to the end, as proudly and independently as she had while she lived.
 When Cynthia finally got up to go she said, fumbling with her scarf and hesitating in way very unlike the old Cynthia, Janet, I've always hated people who volun- teered good advice. They always sound so snug. But be nice to Barney, won't youp Of course know you don't love him, but"
 You know what?" Janet cried sharply.
 Darling, it's too obvious. Even Tim, with a temperature of 103, noticed 1t the other evening. And poor old Barney fairly falling over the furniture for watching you. .. It was you he wanted all along, Jan. He never would have dated me if Lance hadn't been so hard on your heels, and-well, I think he was sorry for me-"
 All at once Janet began to laugh, rendingly, so that after a time her shoulders began to shake with sobs.
 q can't help 1t, Cyn", she apol- ogi2ed between gasps. 'Tt's all so funny-so preposterously funny you and Tim and Lance and Barney and II"
 T don't see anything funny about It." Cynthia said between bewilder- ment and irritation. For Heavens sake, brace up, Jan. I've got to get back and see that Tim doesn't do some fool thing to make his cold worse. He's such a baby, and we're starting tomorrow"
 But that's the funniest thing of all Cyn.' Janet whooped. You in the heavy maternal rolel"
 "Jan"-Cynthia' tone was mad ...o,,,,. ,..~ ,,uaI AA thtsak