The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-12
CHAPTER xxvII

TWO DAYS passed and still Natalie secluded herself. I heartily wished
 her mother would follow her ex- ample. She talked constantly of Nata- lies sensitiveness, of my duty to her. Yet knew she had no idea of why Natalie was acting as she was, that nothing had been said to her of my re- fusal to pay her bills.
 Twas with Uncle Robert when the office boy announced that a Mir. Brooks was whiting to see me I returned to my office, telling the boy to send him in. To my surprise it was Nataiie's brother. The name had made no i'm precision on me. had seen him only two or three times, but tried to hide my surprise and welcomed him cor dially. The thought came that Natalie had sent him. He soon disiliusioned me. s
 II have come to you on private matter, Bruce" he said, twisting his hat and acting embarrassed.
 wondering if he and his wife were in trouble. Natalie had told me. they didn't hit it off very we'll
 1T need some some money for, a short ] time-say two or three months I'll pay six percent or even more for the accommodation-'' 7
 How much do you wantw
 "A thousand dollars"
 Have you any security ?s asked, stiflins the inclination to whistle smy surprise at the amount. N "No--and I don't think it would be necessary, you being one of the family. will absolutely pay it back in three months with interest,"
 As have said l am soft Then he was Natalie's brother The very fact that Natalie was. angry with me made me feel more like doing something for him. l. had refused her for sufficient cause. If her brother really needed the money it was not strange that he had come to me, his brother-in-law. made Outsa check for thousand dollars, then said
 Be sure, Kirk, you have the, money lin three months. l can't spare it longer and would have refused it to anyone but you" I gave him the three months note to sign, feeling that with a man of his type, it made the transaction more binding. ss He asked after Natilie. said he had seen her about a week before. and thought she never looked better. He in- formed me his mother would visit him before she returned home, thanked me land again was gone. <
 2s"I expect I have been an ass" said aloud.
 dined with Uncle Robert and it was late when I reached home. The apart ment dark, Natalie was not in our room. I went to bed at once, making no effort to find out if she was at home, if she vxyfs aft hA e Sfsh hots ill. also left the next morning with. out seeing her, and again I made no inquiries. She had no right to treat me as she was doing because refused to burden myself with sxtravagances
 When returned at dinner time the apartment was brilliantly lighted and Natalie and her mother were chatting gaily in, the living room.
 You're feeling better, aren't you7p asked as I kissed Natalie. "
 Never felt better" she said care. lessly, not returning my kiss.
 Shall we go to the theatre if we lean get tickets% asked, certain that she had fixed things with her mother in some way. and therefore was willing to be friends with mo-
 l had nJ intention of playing the despot anu was only too glad to give her what I could. I calledanpa the thea Ire and secured three good seats. ] had not asked for box.
 The play was amusing and I enjoyed it hugely. had been more depressed than I realized by Natalies conduct and the rebound was welcome. After the theatre we eyhad bite of supper. When we reached home I was de- lighted when Natalie threw off her wrap in our room. Another sign she had settled the matter in some manner. Her mother left us almost Simmedi-