The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-08-20
The Ry MAY CHRISTIE Disturbing Kiss
 XXTX Tb:ef r., e na~I~
XXIV-A Thief in the Dark
Copyright 1921 by The Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.

It was perfectly delightful din- ner. Real sympathy had sprung up between the younger couple.
 T never guessed he was so really interesting, thought Natalie, as she listened to her partners stories.
 And afterwards, when her uncle escorted Della Desmond on tour of his china cabinets and curio shelves, young Maurice Danby sat with Nata- lie in the drawing room, and their talk continued.
 My people are awfully pleased about my job,' he said, shyly. You know after so many years of the army, it isn't easy to prove ones ef- ficiency in civil life. But your un- cle's been simply wonderful to me. And everything seems as right as rain"
 "oh, I'm so glad" came the quick comment q know uncle's pleased. He told me so. And he isn't fright fully easy to satisfy. either. So take 1t as compliment" She beamed on him. Then:
 Don't you ever feel homesick? Your part of Pennsylvania's so pretty. I spent six weeks down there when I was a child and was convalescing after measles--and : Il never rorget the heavenly time had"
 She gave a reminiscent sigh.
 Such praise of his native heath was music in her listeners ears.
 Such butter and eggs. too, and such cream! Sometimes I dream of it! If 1t hadn't been for the exercise I got galloping bareback on pony for hours every day, I'd have grown as podgy as one of your famous prize pigletsw
 They both laughed at that.
 Then Danby said, tentatively, bash fully:
 Maybe one day you would come down there again, and pay visit to my mother? We have a sweet, old place. Been generations in the family The fields come right up to the back door. and there's great view in front. We own a mile of the river. too. and brook that's full Of fish. Are you keen on fishingw
 Rather! That's one thing I can do. I've had heaps of practice up in the mountains at uncle's camp" Natalie glowed enthusiastically.
 Thereafter ensued a discussion that was all of flies and casts" Ab- sorbng to the nth degree.
 When Captain Danby at last an nounced that he must finish some work for MT. Ducane, Natalie came down to earth.
 "I've got letter I must also write" she said, thinking of the debt she owed Farrel Gait, and drowning just tri7e. "I'll do it now"
 Young Danby went down to the Ii bTary, and Natalie to her small sit ting room near the drawing room. nA eftti q in her hosts wonderful collection of spcde and priceless antiques.
 II shan't bother to register this,'' thought Natalie, as. having scribbled curt, business like note to Farrel Galt she enclosed hundred and sew enty-five dollars between it's folds. Thank goodness. that debts paid." She drew a irelieved breath. Tt teaches me not to play cards for money. I've done with gambling."
 She addressed the envelope to Far rers rooms in town, and closed the flap.
 Then. dreamily. she sat for mo- ment, thinking. of Maurice Danby. proved himself to be. Why, the eve ming had flown by on wings!
 He was good looking, too. Such fine blue eyes! He looked one straight in the face. There was no shiftiness about him.
 Her rounded chin propped medita : lively on one hand. her elbow on her writing desk, the girl dreamed pleas ant little day dreams--castles in the air
 She was definitely through with Farrsl Galt. From that inexplicablc fascination a kind fate had delivered her Never again would it obtain do- minion over her.
 How foolish to have ones fancy captivated by a rotter. when the world was full of splendid men. Ike
 Maurice Danby" she said softly, blushinE. Yes, it was surely an in- triguing name.
 And then she jumped up, angry with herself for dreaming idle dreams.
 She went back into the drawing room to find Della and her uncle there. The two had got on famousiy. But clever Della now turned her at- tentions towards MT. Ducane's niece. She left at Ii o'clock in her hosts handsome limousine, delighted with the progress of the evening. It was then that Natalie slipped out cloakless and bareheaded. to post her very private letter at the nearest mail box. The streets were dark and empty. wh--- ~es naithAr monr nov hrsA--