The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-11-25

neres GAAu9 NsAu dlnCefotys
 'Then you really are Roing backS" her mother asked.
 ''Yes = I think so."
 She could sense her mothers I disappointment. It would be pleasant Co have another woman in the house, or ct least near by in the home Blll Jackson was anxious to build for her daughter.
 You spoke ot having some- thing else in view"
 'Tu tell you about it later," Diana said evasively.
 "She wants Co discuss whatever it Is with her father" her mother was thinking. "She was always closer to him than she is Co me"
 But there was nothing of bit- terness or jealousy in her thought, She knew her husband was far wiser and better able to give ad- vice than she. She had simply never been able to understand Diana.
 She was not surprised, there- fore, when Diana asked, "Where would I be finding father about now9"
 Most likely in the barn seeing about the new calf. Better wrap up warmly--lt's pretty cold"
 Diana found an old cardigan Of Herman's and wrapped her mothers scarf about her head She laughed at the picture she presented, wondering if stephen Curt would want her to be Q part of his sophisticated life even for c short time if he could see her now.
 Her father was with the new calf. The beautiful little creature raised big appealing eyes. "oh you darling" Diana cried, but the calf was frightened and shied away from her,
 Her father went quickly about hiS tasks and Diana watched him There was about him quiet dig. nity and strength, more apparent to his daughter now than evey before. A strong man - c man oi power and understanding, Hard Sinewy muscles, brown weather beaten face, Diana's own red-gole hair, frosted now with gray Peaceful gray eyes with laugh crinkles at the corners, Diana re- spected his opinion more thar anyone else's in the world,
 Finally, There's something or your mind, Diana," he said,
 Standing there in the shAdowy barn on that old November morning, the happenings of tive days ago seemed as remote AS some imaginary incident an Mars Surely there was something else on earth but this quiVtness, the earthly barn doors, the strong quiet man, stephen Curtis offer of marriage seemed ludicrously unreal - but Diana, shaking her. self, know that once more back ln town this sense of unrealness would vanish. She'd be caught ur in the vortex of living again and the strength she would gain from this hour would stand her in good stead then,
 "Yes," she answered, "1t's little hard to explain"
 He smiled. "do slowly and III try not to be too dense,"
 She said, "I've met Q very famous man and I've received an offer of marriage"
 He was stlll smiling. Iet'i hear about the famous man first -I fancy you'd want to keep the other till last" She knew he'd be excited about her knowing stephen Curt, and she was not disappointed. He shot question after question at her.
 That's one man I've always wanted to talk to, face to faee,' he said admlFingly.
 "YouIl have the opportunity Diana answered, "Hes coming down here Wednesday to take me back to town. You see - he'S the man who wants to marry me-"
 Rapidly, before he could speak she went into detail concernlnl the terms of Stephen's legacy, th' fact that he was in love with [ woman already married, that sht would receive ten thousand dol lars.
 He did not speak for @ lonl time after she had finished. Shiit' Ing from one foot to the other, botf from cold and nervousness, Diana realized that this once she dld moi really want her fathers unbiased opinion. She simply wanted his ap' proval. -,
 Therefore, when finally he said q don't like 1t, Diana," gravely she felt e strange let-down. From the look on his face she had more than half suspected what his ver- dict would be. She began to argue her cause - to show that she would really be doing nothing more than accepting temporary | fob = an excellently paid one, too She'd be happy and comfortable i in stephen Curtis home for Q few months, then free to do as sh' pleased. .,,
 "sunppose you fall in love witt himl" he suggested.
 Diana considered that. Impos' slblel When she knew from thu beginning that he loved someone
 AZ fact ik anded hv her father