New Britain herald., 1924-05-19
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY

"I don't think it is anything like l that dear" he said. He laid his hand on her trembling one. Monty is going to find her for us. Even fin London it is not possible to hide for ever, you know"
 But why should she want to hide?" asked Miss Varney brokenly. ''I did my best to make her happy. I am sure I loved her dearly. As if I could ever be unkind to dear Nigel's wife!"
 There was a little pause. The servants had left the room. Then David said suddenly. almost in- audibly:
 But she was not Nigers wife. dear"
 CHAPTER XLlx. Not NigcI's Wife For q moment Miss Varney statred blankly at her nephew, then she drew herself up with sort of prim dignity. Really, David, I don't think it's quite nice of you to make jokes like that-if you meant 1t for A joke," she added withEentle rebuke. 'Espe- cially at such A time, when we are all so worried and unhappy"
 David raised his eyes. There was something In his expression that would have told her without words that what he had said had been spoken in deadly earnest. 'I did not mean it for a joke" he said quietly. Mary was never Nigefs wife. It's all been a-mis- take" He seemed to be choosing his words carefully: his grave face had paled a little.
 Miss Narney looked at Fisher help. lessly. She wondered for a moment if David's head were turned; she pushed her chair back a little with a nervous gesture.
 David dear."
 Its quite true, Miss varney," Fisher interposed. David is cutie right in what he says. The lady who has been staying here with you is now, and never was. Nigel's wife!' There was q tragic silence.
 'T don't understand You look as if you are speaking the truth, both of you. But--oh, it can't be true! {! She would never have deceived us so! Why she told me herself how dearly she loved Nigel: how all her happiness died when he died"
 That Is true enough" said David. T believe she did love Nigel, but she vas never his wife" He smiled A little, meeting Miss varney's puzzled eyes. 'I can't explain things any better to you, dear" he went on, because l don't know the true ex- plantation myself. But when We find Mary---'
 We may never find her." said Miss Farney chokinely. "Oh poor child--poor childl David, is this way she ran away"
 "l think it must be. You see, she recognized Monty when he came yes- terday. he had known her years ago. | suppose she thought that he would tell me"
 He broke off with a feeling of bit- ter anger against himself.
 Why had he not let Mary know that he already knew her secret [? Why had he allowed her 10 suffer the torture of fear of discovery?
 He had hoped that she would tell him Of her own free will. Apparent ly if had been vain hope.
 He was restless and miserable. He told Monty that he should 20 back 10 London with him. By early evening both men were at the Fishers house,
 you will stay with us, of course ?o Monty had said. And David had agreed. He was in no mood for lone- illness; he was glad of the offer.
 Dora was amazed to see them. She was vexed that she had not taken more trouble with her appearance that evening; she need not have minded. David never noticed a wo- mans clothes, and just now his thoughts were too occupied with Mary to care for anything else.
 And what has brought you 10 town?" Dora demanded, smiling into his eyes across the dinner-table. Anything to do with the mysterious telegram?"
 For a moment David looked puzzled: then he smiled.
 '0h, thati We haven't discovered yet who it is from"
 But he did not answer her oues- ton, and she did not like to refer to it again. In spite of her protesta- tions that she could manage any man she chose, she was little afraid of David. He was too indifferent to her beauty, toe needless Of her fascina- tions.
 It was only much later. when Monty was going to his room for the night. that she called softly to him racrQss the landing.
 He went to her at once.
 What is all this mystery? Why has David come to town?"
 He hesitated, then he told her.
 Mary is missins-sl1e left the house this morning"