New Britain herald., 1924-10-14

ously twisting the corners of his napkin into spiras As result of shel-shock in the war. his nerves were still in bad shape. Yet Orville Kent was not so much affected by the ticking of clock or any ma terial annoyances as he was by the mental atmosphere about him. And, when Douglas Raynor broke into real tantrums, Kent not infrequenty rose and left the table.
 I At this juncture, however, they all left the table.
 Raynor went off at once for the confab with Miss Turner that fol- lowed every meal, and that settled the menu for the next one. Thus. three times day Nan was sure of q half-hour's respite, and those were the only times she was sure of
 Come, sit in the swing a moment or two, Malcolm" Nan said, her eyes emphasizing the invitation.
 Me, too?" asked Goddard, very much on the watch against indis- crctions.
 "Yes, indeed; I'll sit between you," and Nan appropriated the middle cushion of the wide swing on the west terrace.
 q can't bear that detitian per son." she said abruptly, and de- cidedly.
 "Why do you have her here. then?" Goddard inquired.
 Because Douglas thinks he's ill., or would be, if he didn't have his diet carefully watched. But I think he's less well since she came than before"
 He doesn't seem very we'll" Fin ley agreed "Is that the reason he scolds you so much, Nan?"
 T daresay. Though he's always been pettish if I cross him in any way"
 You oughtn't to put up with it!" Finley burst out.
 'It's none of your business, Mal," Goddard interrupted. You've no right to speak like that"
 No, you haven't" Nan said. gravely. Whatever he says or does, he's my husband, and therefore en- titled to my respect and the respect of my guests"
 "Hullo!" cried Dolly Fay. sudden ly appearing before them. Here you ar, and, oh, Nan, I say, what do you think? That Fairy Prince of mine isn't Fairy Prince at all. He's a whitewashed sepulcher A base dee-ceiver! What do you think he did? He called me a brat! Oh, how I hate you, Mir. Finley!"
 T did own up-but it was in a moment of anger, ] apologize" @+
 And take it back"
 Bah" and Dolly made a saucy face at him. '"FheneI won't play tennis with you--and do want game" Take me on," and Goddard rose to obige her.
 "Glad to, I'm told you're crack player"
 That was good of old Ezra" Fin ley said: q may not get a chance with you alone again. Nan, can I help you in any way?"
 No, dear, of course you can't" Then she flushed enchantingly at the unintcntional word, and said | very seriously We can't hide # from ourselves-I do care for YOU, l Malcom-I think l, always have cared, but I am a wife-and," she drew herself up proudly, T am a Caesars wife. Never shall I fail in the most minute particular of any duty I owe my husband. I do | want to see you go away-and I | never want to see you again-as long as Douglas lives. If he shouId-if | anything should happcn-Oh, Nal, l am at the end of my rope. l can't | live with him. l cant. You've | no idea how awful he can be"
 You needn't live with him, Nan. Surely you can get a separation-"
 "Oh, no, don't mean that" Mans mortified eyes spurned the thought. "But--oh I don't know what I mean-only Malcolm l am his wife, and as such l owe him all honor and all duty-and 1 propose to pay it."
 Fine talk, my dear-but bit | hifalutin.' Raynor stepped out from behind the house, and came up behind the pair in the swing. "Methinks the lady doth protest too much. You can bet you're going to pay me all you so truly say you owc mo. Now. MT Finley, as you seem to be a menace to the tran quil happiness of my home, perhaps it would be as well if you began to think of making your farewells. l asked you down here to learn how matters stood between you and my | wife. I've learned"
 ''But I. too, have learned some thing, Finley said. have learned how matters stand between you and your wife, and I have q remark to make-which is that unless you give me your promise as man 10 man to i treat her with more kindness after tAiii bbiAFs 'Aldii spu nave uOllH 0HI- l ing my stay here. I shall not go at l once.'
 That is a strange thing to say to a husband"
 Tt is, because you are a strange | husband, Now, if your nnkindness l to Nan has been simply because of my presence here, and if it will l cease with my departure. I will 20 | away immediately. But not other l wise"
 Bless my soul! You presume to dictate to mel"
 'I do. As friend of your wife, and as a friend of humanity, l in- sist upon the promise require"
 And you shall have it. MT. Fin ley, promise you that if you will remove your presence from my roof tree, l will at once transform my