New Britain herald., 1922-05-24
con M Louis lossyh van-s
(continno.l From Our Last Issuc)

could" Lucinda explained, getting to her feet. "If you're unhappy~-l'm so sorry
 The movement must have been misnterpreted, for the girl sprang up like threatened animal
 ''I don't want your help she stormed throatily "1 don't want any thing to do with you--only to be left alonew She flung herself at Lucinda as if to thrust her out by fierce. "Goi go, go!" sho screamed, Then the window slammed.
 Poor thing" Lucinda told her self-"she must have heard '" XN
 There was at this time little room in I.ucinda's inner lifGfor other peo- ple's troubles, she was much too agreeably engrossed in doting on this radiant Linda Lee, Nictress in a form of duel Of which Summerlad was reputed master who had never known defeat. Rumors current of his success with women had found her credulous and lenient; mortal vanity saw to that. It feeds on strange foods,
 
 yourself, you shall not find unaccept- able the belief that one well loved by many has been laid low by love of you alone .
 That morning, as every morning now, she woke with a smile respon- sive to the smiling promise of the day, called for her car and sailed forth.
 Her rooms were so situated that to reach the main entrance she had to pass the corner room now occu- pied by Nellie Marquis; and mali cious luck would have it that the two should meet.
 The Marquis girl had been out and was returning with a small packet gripped in a shabbily gloved hand A weli-made woman with a graceful carriage, her face held elements of beauty of a wild, sweet sort, but dimmed and wasted by despondency and impaired health. Today the dark rings under her eyes were deep CT, the eyes themselves more desper- ate than when their look had first ap pealed to Lucnda's sympathies. And seeing her so, Lucinda with a solicit ous cry-"Why. Miss Marquis.'- paused and extended an impusive hand.
 The girl swerved away from the hand, shrinking to the wall her scant natural color ebbing till the rouge was livid on cheeks and lips, while her eyes grew hard and hot.
 J o you want?"
 Confounded by this proof of hos tiity as pertinacious as it was per verse;, Lucinda faltered "But-you are ill.,
 Well: and if I am, whats that to you?' The words uttered in level tone nevertheless seemed to force ex- plosively past the tremulous waxen1 lips. "Oh, don't worry your head about me: think about yourself. Don't forget you can be conta minated by creature like me, don't forget she accomplished a singuarly true re- production of Summerlad's tone I'm really not the sort you can af ford to get mixed up with
 I'm so sorry you heard, Miss Marquis. Of course neither of usI had any idea you were"
 "Eavesdropping. why don't you say 1t? I'm not ashamed
 But are you fair to me? l meant no harm, I didn't say-what you re- sent-you know
 The girl gave grimace of pure hate. No" she snarled-"you didn't say anything unkind you were too busy posing as Lady Bountiful to pass uncharitable remarks! But he-he said enough-enough for me. Oh, I'm not saying he didn't tell the truth I'm a bad lot all right-a rotten bad lot, if you want to know-and I'll be worse before I'm better. So you watch out and keep away from me-d'you hear?"
 "Yes,- said Lucinda coolly-"clear- ly'-and went her way.
 Her car brought her to the Finn studios.
 Neither Lynn nor Joseph Jacques, his director was in evidence, but the cameraman said the two of them had retired to the directors office for a conference.
 To the office Lucinda and Fanny Lontaine repaired and-their knock being answered by morose growl- there discovered Summerlad, in elaborate evening clothes, thought full scowl on his handsome, painted face, with Jacques, hammered young cinema sultan, in riding brooches, and boots, sitting on the desk itself and moodily drumming its side with his heels.
 We were wondering if you'd care to be an angel to us, Linda said Summerlad.
 "Hlep us out of the worst sort of a hole, Miss Lee" Jacques added.
 But what is it?
 .,lh nnt hing at allvN Sum n rla q ,