The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-12-02

blame me for being Q bit curi- ous?"
 she hedged. "Maybe It was love to first sight"
 Nc" he answered, If it had been = if you and teh man you married were genuine lovers, you wouldn't be coming out with me like thisl"
 You mean snouldnt have comep Nonesensel felt the need of tlittle air after an evening indoors and I've known you all my life. stephen understands that"
 Maybe. still, loving you as I do, I figured I had Q right to know just where I stand. I've never for moment given up the thought that one day you1l come back - youll remember thta I'm waiting to offer you lot of devotion - tht aI can make you comfortable. Somehow this marriage doesn't seem to make a lot of difference in my mind. Your father, too - when questioned him, he evaded me-"
 "All right. Bill" Diana said. 'Tll tell you the truth"
 They stopped in the shadow of @ huge box hedge that lined the sidewalk. After oil, as he said, he hd right to know. Tn q few words she told him of the business arrangement she had with Ste- phen Curt, He was silent when she had finished.
 "Well?"
 still he had did not answer.
 "Bil, don't stand there like o dummyl"
 Words fall me-" he said finally. q wouldn't have thought you'd be so mereeneryp
 Diana felt her face flushing in the cold darkness, It was e little disturbing to feel Q pedestal on which you've always been en- shrined toppling. Don't be silly. Why shouldn't l do thisP It's just like tkaing on another job. Tn e few months IT be free and $i0,- 900 richer. don't think that's such a bad bargainl"
 How eXasperating he was. She wished he hadn't come - wished she wouldn't have to spend the night with the thoughts he had started in motion.
 When Larkin let them in, Bill stepped inside for moment just as stephen was crossing the hall- way from the library. He stopped, came toward them, smiling pleas antly.
 "Too bad you didn't come earlier, MT. Jackson. Any friend of Diana's Is always welcome. To be sure 1t was rather dull af- fair"
 Bill looked at him steadily and Diana, watching them, realized that they were something alike.
 T think l ought to tell you MT. Curt" Bill was saying, q came tonight because 1t struck me as rather queer that Diana should have married you out of Q clear sky, and because I wnated to be sure of her happiness and well being. You see, love her very much"
 Stephens face did not change by so much as the flicker of an eyelash, T See," he answered after e moment. And I think I ought to tell you that Diana did not mention to me that there was another man in her life"
 Then 1t was that Diana's tenn per, held in leash, but fed now by e sort of nervous exhaustion, flashed forth.
 And I'll tell both of you that Bill knows I am not in love with him and never have heenl And what's more, never will bel Oh, I'm fond of him - have known him since childhood. But that doesn't give him the right to come here and question my motivesl"
 She turned angriIy 10 stephen, the bright tears glistenjng on her lashes, And there's no part of our bargain thta gives you the right to question what do or do not tell you, I'll have you both remember that I'm quite able to manage my affairs without assistance from either Of you!"
 She stood there trembling, and suddenly Stephn laughed. There's no use in getting all wrought up like this" he said. T think It's very commendable that MT. Jackson here took the trouble to find out If you were all right" He turned to Bill. Forgive Diana, won't you? Shes tired. And won't you come again when you're in town?"
 Bill knew that he was being quietly, efflciently dismissed, and after Q few words for Diana ac- companied by a look of misery, he made his departure.
 stephen turned to her. Want to talk about itY"
 I'm sure there's nothing fur ther to say on the subject" she answered shortly, but followed him into teh library. She sat quietly in one of teh big chiars, feeling her nerves relax watching Stephen tanning tobacco into his pipe.
 When he had lighted it, he spoke. q like Bill Jackson. He's fine, outstanding man. Anyone can see that"
 "Of course" she answered, a little tartly. "The kind of man