The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-09-29

Natalie clapped her hands. Her eyes were shining.
 Isn't it glorious? No one in the world could blame you now, Maurice! Oh, I'm so delighted, for your sake That wretched old lawyer"
 She broke off, conscious that she had said too much
 But Danby understood.
 He thought I'd taken them?"
 The girl flushed,
 How stupid I've beenl I've about as much tact as-as-'
 Young Danby laughed, He flung very tender glance at Natale.g
 Please don't disparage yourself It was only natural that certain amount of suspicion should fall on me. This find of yours clears me, of course. I'm most awfully in- debted-"
 She interrupted with:
 "Oh Mauricei You speak so--so dis tantly-as though l were stran- eer." She moved away from him, her lips pouting reproach.
 Why, Natalie, It was you who who acted distantly-who--' She turned her back on him. A pro- vocative little curl on the nape of her white neck seemed to hypnotize him to come closer. Natalie Dearest, I--I didn want toto thrust myself on you unwanted-these last few days No answer. A gentle breeze from the open window lifted the little curl and stirred it.
 You know it. You-oh, it seems to me as though you've just been play ing with me. Tin never sur~- He came closer, closer, and sud- denly---on an irresistible impulse pressed his lips against the tantaliz- Ming little tendril of her hair that beckoned him.
 q love you, Natalie Better than anything in the wide world. You're always in my thoughts. Honestly, 1 mean it. I'm no hand at pretty speeches, but caring as l do--"
 A catch came into the tones of his attractive voice, pathetic, anxious little catch. It touched the heart or Natalie
 She wheeled around. put her hands on his two shoulders and said very softly:
 I'm a beast, Maurice. And l don't deserve that you should care for me.
 
 it means so much to me to have friend---a real friend"
 A friend? So that was all? She only wanted friendship
 The boys heart sank down, down to the very depths.
 The girls mood changed.
 We oughtn't to stand talking here, now that these bonds have been dls- covered. The little lawyer man ought to be telephoned to and have his mind set at rest. Isn't that so?'
 Maurice Danby nodded. somehow the joy seemed to have been sue cessfully removed from the occasion Natalie, in a practical mood, always managed to put him at distahce'
 "If you'll excuse ne, I'll set to work at once" he said, rather for mally.
 And so he left her.
 She went upstairs rather slowly to join her uncle in the drawing room. So Farrel Gait hadn't stolen the bonds, after all She need no longer worry as to being an accessory after the fact" ,,
 MT. Ducane was lying on an invalid chair immediately inside the widely opened French windows.
 Beside him, seated at the tea seouipage, was Mrs, Della Desmohu, an entrancing vision in frock or sea green organdie. From under- meath Parisian toque fashioned of gay green leaves her henna- colored hair peeped out. alluringiy.
 The smart gold chatelaine, pearihs Farrel Galts inscription, lay In d prominent position near Delias cup and saucer. It winked up at MT Ducane. as though--were 1t so mino- edit could tell a tale
 Delia's long white kid gloves anu chiffon parasol reposed on low chair nearby, and the charming widow herself was in the act or touring out the tea.
 For a second Natalie halted on tine threshold of the room, drinking in the picture.
 So absorbed were the pair that they did not hear the sound of the young girls entry.
 And a little jealous pang shot through her heart.
 How frail her uncle looked, How much in need of ministering care!
 And Della Desmond was evidently only too anxious to take on the task
 She was cooing literally cooing-