The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-26
My HalsbGnd--
 The BootIegger
CHAPTER 30
By CAROLINE BEECHEY

MT was after midnight when Clifford left. As the door closed after him
 I felt a lightness, a buoyancy that hadn't been mine for months. Lucille was at rest Mort was expiating his sin, yet I still had Mona and Donald. I had a dear, helpful friend in Dorian Matthews, and still more helpful one in the brother-in-lawa l never until nov had understood.
 His heart bowed with his own sor- row, his wife gone with another man, his loved brother in trouble, yet he could think and plansfor me ! It seemed almost monstrous for him to follow Mary to throw the dnus of the divorce upon him and too chivalrous of him to allow her to do so, yet admired him all the more because of what he had done to protect the wife younger than he, the wife who never had consid- cred him.
 Busy days followed. put the. house in the hands of apl agent and Mona and busted ourselves with packing the things we would take with us--only our clothes, q few pictures and keepsakes. Clifford's home was very completely furnished and of course Mary in her
 
 Donald was full of his plans and chatted incessantly, impatient to live in what was country compared to New York. The old homestead was sur rounded with broad lawns, old trees and graveled walks. An, old-fashiOned house, but very roony and comfortable. I would take my own trusty maid with me. The one Mary had had would be constant reminder of her to Cliff ford. :. "I'n ring up | heAch in the garage and make the dog house myself, and . hutch for my rabbits" Donald told us gleefnlly. "I do wish someone would rent this house quick. I can't hardly wait to go."
 Several had looked at the house, but it was not yet rented. We were all ready to go at an hours notice and I was as anxious as the. children to get away. I had written Mort of our plan. sure that he would be delighted. I told him Mary had gone with Starr, but of course saying nothing of what she had written that he had already dis graced the family so that what she did would make no difference.
 I was delighted when, about ten days after Clifford's offer of home a mid dfe-aRed couple with one daughter took the house, paying me quite a substan- tial sum over the rent we paid. had absolutely refused to take any money from Mort. was determined to live on what Clifford allowed me from the factory. But this addition to our in- come would make things easier and I was grateful. I was very positive in my resolve not to be drain on Cliff ford. I would manage his home eeo- nonically, take far less than he in- aisted I should as Mort's share. Mo- na's salary would be small, yet enough to dress her. She was very clever with figures, quick and anxious to learn, and I was sure would earn what her uncle paid her.
 Just a month after Mort was sent away we moved to Jersey into the old homestead with Clifford Mona com menced work at once and Donald made haste to put his plans into operation. His uncle had bought him a fine, in telligent Airdale as q surprise and the boy was wildly happy.
 "Now Stella. pack up and go to see Mort" Clifford said after we had been lomiciled with him about three weeks T am glad. you have your own maid, for you know the children will be made comfortable. I will look after them. You can go with a clear conscience and stay as long as you like"
 I tried to hide the shock felt when I saw Mort. He had aged ten years in the two months he had been away. His eyes held c breeding sadness hard to see and keep my calmness. longed to take him into my arms, to weep over him. But I restrained myself, talked cheerfuliy and told him of all that had transpired-how good Cliff ford had been, ho whappy Donald and Mona were.
 "You will send Donald back to school next year2" he asked.
 "N0-&e have decided to keep him at home. He is go to public school. Clifford and both think it best"
 Mort started to speak, looked keenly at me, bit his lip and was silent. But I had read his thought; had what he had done made it impossible for Don aid to go back, just as it had for Mona?
 I changed the subject, telling him of Clifford's plan to let Mary divorce him 50 that she would be embarrassed as , l1LLAo aS pObHAuAE sJy soSttAiuNAs
 "Just like old Cliff. It's always the good men like him who get a raw deal from women. Now you--you would have been justified had you thrown me over, but to diagrace Cliff, wound him like that, how could she do it?"
 told him of all of Donald's plans, of the dog and the rabbits, of Mona learning to help her uncle in the of- flee, of their delight in the old home stead.
 They'll never want to leave 1t, am afraid,p said.
 Every day saw Mort for an hour or two. At the end of week I pre- pared to return home. As looked into his sad eyes, saw the hair that had whitened at his temples, dark brown when Lucille was taken. l prayed God to comfort him.
 Don't come again, Stella, it makes things harder. Writa me, but don't come. I want to be alone"
 I promised him and with an aching heart left for home.
 CTo Be COntinued)