The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-01-16
CHAPTER VIII

CHAPTER VIII
 Janet said, after a moment Of bewilderment, Why, Barney, Of course. supposed naturally it was Barney you meant"
 "Oh, did you, indeed" Cynthia demanded drearily. Janet, was there any more reason why l should marry Barney tonight than there was yesterday - or a week ago - or a month";
 "Why-I don't know Then, in Heavens name, Cyn, who is it?"
 "Why, Timothy Benton, of course. I thought you knew l was going out to dinner with him tonight"
 "Timothy Benton!" Janet echoed slowly after wha t seemed to her so long and empty a silence that her own voice startled her. But, Cyn, you couldn't! You - couldn't! Why, you hardly know him! You can't possibly be in love with him."
 Tn love with him?" Cynthia's vocie was harsh. Who said was in love with him? I said I had married him People can't al- ways have everything, you know, Jan - like you. Well, l decided -- some time ago-that If I couldn't have - what I wanted most - wasn't going to be fool enough to let that keep me from taking the ha.t tl,t,n tIot nHnra6 You see, Tim has his points And at least shan't have to charge my frocks to your account any more, Jan"
 Janet made helpless inarticu- late sound in her throat before she could speak again.
 But, Cynthia" she said. Why do you say you couldn't have what you wanted most? You could have had Barney. He"
 'Barneyl' Cynthia stormed to her feet. her eyes suddenly blazing. I'm sick of hearing about Barney Why, you little fool, you don't imagine it was Barney wanted, do youp"
 Then abruptly she crumpled into a sobbing heap upon the bed. Janet sat quietly by her, warming her icy hands in her own warm ones, until the paroxysm had worn itself out. Finally Cynthia sat up abrupt ly.
 Forget itl" she said with a ghost of her old mocking smile. Its amazing how it helps to let your hair down once in awhile, isn't it? Well. I guess I'd better be running along"
 You're not going back to him, Cynthia
 "Nonsense!" her cousin said, and got abruptly to her feet. T made my bargain and I'll stick to it And not so bad a bargain at that, Jan. Don't get the idea that I'm sorry for myself. Besides, I've been living on Grams entirely too long already Call me taxi cab, will you - while l revise my facial scheme? I wish to Heaven I were one of these women who can cry without making their faces look like futuristic landscapes"
 Nevertheless, she clung like Q frightened child to Janet's hand before she let herself carefully out at the apartment door.
 Don't tell Grams till she's had her coffee, Jan," she repeated be- fore she went.
 Janet spent her next few hours wondering how she was ever to tell Aunt Mary even after Aunt Mary had had her morning coffee.
 Janet was just coming from her own room when, to her complete consternation, she heard the tele- phone ring cleai:y and loudly in the hall, and Aunt Mary's crisp tones answering the call.
 "Oh, good morning, Lancel Aunt Mary said. I'm glad to hear you sounding so fresh after the hours you kept last night. It must have been almost four when you called Janet, wasn't 1t? I wonder If I'm not hearing very well this morning. You say you did not call Janet? But understood from her - Oh, well, never mind Then you would like to speak to her now, of course. Hold the line, please"
 When Janet had talked with Lance briefly and somewhat dis jointedly, because her mind was racing ahead to the ordeal before her she went slowy into the din- ing room. Margy was just bring ing hot rolls from the kitchen.
 T found your chiffon scarf all tangled up with the telephone bell when I was dustin the hall this mornin', Miss Janet" Margy said on a cheerful, congratulatory note which Janet found definitely dis cordant. Its sure was lucky, else MT. Lance never would have been able to ring you. wonder how on earth that scarf ever came to get in there"
 T wonder" Janet said, her eyes on her plate.
 Mrs. Cantrell waited until Margy had gont back to the kitchen be- fore she observed dryly, I'm wondering, too-and also just why you told me it was Lance who called you last night, Janet-and incidentally, why Cynthia hid be- hind you in the hall when I opened