New Britain herald., 1924-04-28
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY

! him., said Dora, with greater enerS. than she had hitherto displayed Don't you think soH'
 She looked across at her brother with smile.
 l Monty shrugged his shoulders.
 Hell never marry. He doesn' care about women.' She leaned her elbow on the tabl, and her chin in the palm of her hand
 What will you bet me-" sh' asked.
 He stared at her.
 "I don't understand"
 She laughed softly.
 "I mean that I shouldn't mind be, ing Mrs. David myself" she said.
 Good heavens." \ Monty stared at her in blanl amazement.
 Suddenly he laughed.
 You don't mean that you're seri ous?"
 Why not?" There was hint o ! impatience in her voice. David ant I have always been good friends. should think he probably likes me a. well as any woman he knows. And Monty. you know you'd love to have n place like Red Grange as a sort oi second home Monty rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "David's cut out for bachelor" he said again.
 "A little flush Of annoyance crept into his sisters cheeks.
 "Oh. very well. if that's your at titude! But it's a very poor compli- ment to me-"
 He stretched out his hand and touched her arm.
 You know l didn't mean it in that way. You know we'll enough that I'd back you against any woman in the world to geet your own way if you meant to. But I'd never dream. ed Of such thing. You nns David" He laughed. rather ex- citedly. God, it would be a fine thing for you, old girl. He's---well. he's pretty well off. you know"
 She leaned back in her chair, fold ing her arms behind her head.
 The loose sleeves of the gown she wore fell away, revealing white, dimpled elbows and slender wrists.
 She was certainly the best-looking girl he had ever seen. Monty thought, with a thrill of pride. He pushed back his chair with sudden excitement, went round the table and. bending. kissed her cheek.
 Well, good luck, if you've set your heart on him." he said heartily. He's one of the best. anyway"
 She made a little grimace.
 "Oh, he's all right! A bit Of a stick, but I dare say should change that. He was never half the fun Nigel was"
 Monty looked little unhappy.
 "If you don't really care for him" he began.
 She cut him short.
 No preaching, there's dear! It's not in me 10 care for anyone in the story-book sort of way. dare say we should jog along quite well together. He's too much Of a gentle man to quarrel with me. even if he felt like it; and I'm too lazy" She rose 10 her feet. You might remind him that he promised to ask us down to Red Grange, Monty"
 Give him a chance. my dear. He only went down himself two days ago."
 "I know. But we don't want to waste time"
 CHAPTER XIX.
 The New Clerk
 He glanced at his watch.
 ''I must be going; I've got a new clerk coming this morning. and l want 10 be there early to put him through his paccs. Beastly nuisance. smithson having gone to the war"
 Why, you said you thought it was right of him 10 go.'
 q do think so, but it's a nuisance all the same"
 She laughed carelessly.
 q always try to forget there is a war" she said candidly. That's why l don't read the papers-casualty lists and things like that. make me feel sick. War ought not 10 bc allowed. :"
 Monty made no answer: he had heard the same old argument so many times. He went out Of the room for his hat and coat.
 me war was NEFs real InlnE 10 him: he would have been one of the first to volunteer but for the girl in the room behind him.
 She was quite depe1dent on him: neither Of them had a penny piece beyond what he managed to knock up in his profession. and sometimes even now Dora's extravaganza made him anxious. although he was getting on well. and had long since turned the corner.
 She was so fond of frocks and luxury. t would be a fine thing for them both if she did really marry old David; there would be no need then to look at every sovereign before it was spent. She could adorn her beautiful body with furs, and all the rich things her rather shallow soul coveted.
 Dora's sudden confession had put all thoughts of Nigel's widow out of Monty Fishers head, but he remem- bered her again when he reached the office.
 It was a mistake: he was sure it would prove to be a mistake.
 He wished David would be guided by him in this matter. even while was perfectly certain that David would not.