The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-07-03
JERRY FINDS OUT
CHAPTER W

Days sped into weeks and Lita looked at Jerry, wondering if it were true that she no longer loved MiYn and that she did love Ken Richards.
 She studied the apartment in which they lived, looking at the Venetian blinds, the lovely hang lngs, the white and chromium fur niture, the glass tables, everything as modern as tomorrow, and thought of a white house back in the trees. She listened to the roar of the traffic, watched the bright lights and thought of birds singing and the light of the stars.
 T don't know"
 Each time she talked to Ken she said the same thing, because Jerry was so much a part of her life, and the change Ken had suggest ed was so remote and unreal. It would take several weeks to get af- fairs arranged, to go to Reno and get divorce. She shivered at the thought of the publicity. Then she thought of the future Ken had promised her, home and friends, children, happiness, such as she had never known. At length she made up her mind.
 As she and Jerry came into the apartment after their nights per- formance, she stopped beside the door, watching Jerry as he went across the room. She had promised Ken that she would tell him.
 "Jerry."
 She bit her scarlet lips as she met his brown eyes and studied his lean, handsome face.
 Jerry hadn't had many breaks He'd worked up from nothing, sold papers on the streets, worked day and night to get where he was, and now she was getting ready to tear down his house of cards.
 He could get another partner. Anyone could dance with Jerry, be- cause he danced so wonderfully. He might marry Ruth Eustace, with all lser money and position. She could give Jerry everying that any man could want.
 Whats on your mind, darling?" Jerry threw off his coat and light ed cigaret, slouched down on the davenport. Spill it."
 I've been thinking a long time, Jerry. We haven't been getting along so well. We don't seem to be happy any more, and I I want 8 divorce"
 "A divorce" He sat upright. "A divorce. Lita, you must be drunk. What are you thinking about?"
 She laughed, a harsh, little laugh. Her heart was pounding so she couldn't get her breath. Just what said-a divorce"
 But you can't. Why, Lita-" He was on his feet, hurrying toward her, his arms about her, as his eyes searched her face. Darling, what is the matter? What have I done? I know I've been cross and irritable because I was tired, but it isn't your fault. You've known that"
 "It isn't anything" She strug- gled against him. Tt isn't any thing you've done or haven't done, Jerry. It's just that don't care any more. All the thrill is gone"
 There's someone else" Realiza- ton seemed to sweep over him. That Richards. You want to mar " him?"
 "Yes. Jerry darling, please un- derStand." She sought his eyes as she spoke, pleading. Tt isn't as if I could do anything about it.. You can't fight love. I thought I loved you. We were interested in the same things and you were so gay and kind and sweet and we had so much fun together. But I know now that it wasn't love. I've known it ever since that night I met Ken at Ruth Eustace's party"
 "But Lita."
 He sat down, staring at her as he couldn't believe his ears. His face was grayish white and he looked tired and old. His voice was thick, shaking.
 ''You don't really love him. You're juSt infatuated because he's differ ent, because he tells you how much he loves you in such 8 different way. He isn't your kind. He doesn't understand you, the real you, the one I know, who loves to dance and is young and gay.
 He's changed you already, but I didn't know what was the matter until now. You're not yourself any more. You don't laugh like you used to. Oh, he can't love you like I do. It isn't real"
 She had known 1t would be like this, and Jerry wouldn't under stand, and she spoke swiftly, an- grily. q do love him, Jerry. And he does understand the soul of me, the things I've always wanted. He isn't crude, guess that's the word,