The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-28

Hugh Connolly found opportun- ity, at breakfast, to tell his wife of his conversation with Mary Warde. It was no betrayal of Mary's con- f1dences. He knew that the girl req lized that Martha would know eventually, if she hadn't guessed al- ready, that Mary loved Jerry. There could be no secrets from Martha.
 T don't know why he has to fall in love with this Valerie" Martha said for the fifth time. "If it were Mary, she'd have sense enough not to let him ruin his career"
 Lets not pass judgment on the girl before we see her." Hugh cautioned. "She may be every thing Jerry says she is. Mary tells me she is sweet, decidedly attractive. We have to give the girl a chance"
 But if she really loves Jerry, she should be willing to wait. Whats two years? I waited three for you"
 "The situation was different then, my darling" her husband laughed. You would have been awfuly hungry, going practically without food those first years after I left medical school. Things are different now.
 These young people have an entirely new outlook on life, new problems to meet. We can't say what was right for us is right for them. Don't forget, too, that Valerie has money of her own"
 You don't think Jerry would ever" Martha was angered at the thought.
 q hope my son will never live on his wife's money" Hugh agreed. But that's up to Jerry. It is his life, and his to live as he wants to. You and I are getting old, Martha. Our children are growing up. We can't run their lives for them forever. They have to stand on their own two feet
 We've given them all we can in home, in education, in train ing to be honest, good men and women. The rest of their lives is entirely up to each one of thent."
 Ho bent to kiss her goodby. "1've got busy day ahead of me, and so have you. Everything should be perfect for this an nouncement party tonight. NO dates for Sheila and Kathleen. We want Mary there, too. AS Valerie's sorority sister, she has every right to bs included.
 "It's up to you, Martha, to keep the twins in line. Let's not con- demn Valerie without giving her chance. See you at dinner"
 Martha finished her coffee slow ly after the doctor had gone. Hugh was right, she knew. Hugh was always right.
 It was not easy to dislike Valerie after you met her. Her blond beauty, her undeniable charm, were major assets. And she was doing her best in an uncomfort- able position. Martha could see, trying to make Jerry's family like her.
 True, she was inclined to be the center of attraction, she de- manded attention and got it, any, where she might be. But that, too, was her privilege, the just due of every strikingly beautiful girl.
 Her family background was en- tirely acceptable, even to Martha who would demand only the best for her son. Valeries long, pow erful car, her expensive clothes and costly furs gave testimony of the luxurious home in which she had been reared. There could be no objection on that point.
 Despite her determination to dislike the girl, Martha found herself half approving Jerry's choice. They would make a striking couple = this tall, smiling manson of hers, so like the Hugh Connolly she had loved so many years, and this small, utterly fem mine creature. But single doubt fingered could Valerie, would Valerie bear up under the trials which every doctors wife must share?
 The doctor seemed entirely won over. He had apparently accepted Valerie without reservation, well coming her into her future place in the family circle. His voice came to Martha now, as the dinner ended.
 .T think g. toast to the future