New Britain herald., 1925-09-30
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 on the old happy terms. But ap- parently he had noticed nothing and she drew q breath of relief.
 T shall go into your regiment, MT, Lyster" Jim said because I like the badge on your cap"
 50 shall l." said Buster
 And me" echoed Claude in his piping treble.
 Peter laughed,
 Time enough in another twenty years" he said. If the war is not over then" he added, smiling at Nan,
 Sometimes 1t seems as If 1t never will be over she said. Sometimes 1t seems impossible that we shall ever be at peace again" She broke of - her blue eyes dilated, She had heard the slam of the garden gate, and through the half light outside had seen Harley Sefton's figure pass the window,
 She was on her feet in an in- stant and out of the room. Peter heard her urgent voice in the hall: ''I am not at home, Mary = I am not at home to anyone, Say that you do not know when shall be in"
 She came back flushed and breathless,
 Peter met her eyes,
 Was that sefton7" he asked.
 Yes" Mans eyes fell. Her cheeks burned.
 Peter sat looking absently before him, then all at once he spoke
 Did you send sefton away be- cause I was here?" Yes" said Nan.
 Bitterness filled his eyes
 You should not have troubled, I could easily have gone" Nan did not answer: her hands shook as she began to pack the plates together.
 Lyster rose and went to stand by the fire; he kicked at the glow | ing logs viciously.
 Are you going to marry that brute?" he asked curtly.
 Nan raised her eyes; for g mo- ment she could not speak.
 He went on without waiting for her answer.
 Surely, it's not such very ex. traordinary thing to ask, Is it. after the other afternoon? It's no business of mine, I admit. but -" He broke off.
 "Oh, no, it's no business ot yours" she said recklessly,
 He went on angrily: "sefton i' no good. If he ever was a friend ot mine which I doubt all car say Is that I've been bigger foo than I could ever have believed Lately I've heard things about hin - unpleasant things. If --- if yol are thinking of marrying him, it's only fair you should be told what he is. IT wouldn't wish my wors enemy to walk hlindfolded into such a, marriage"
 Mans pale cheeks were crimson
 Thank you" she said shril'" Thank you very much for you kind interest, but I'm quite able tt take care of myself. I've learned enough and suffered enough ir the past few months to teach me that no man Is what one believes him to be. I don't suppose Seftor is any worse than the rest"
 Peter moved a step towards her
 What do you mean?" he ask. ed. There was a sort of uncertainty in his voice, "It's nonsense talking like this. There are plenty of de. cent men in the world good fel lows who would make you happ! --Arnott, for instance. ."
 Mans breath came hard.
 Has he asked you to appeal fol him." she demanded hoarsely. q that's why you've come here yo, 1 might ss we'll have saved yourself the trouble. It's nothing to do witt you -- I shall marry Mir. sefton if I like -- When I want your ad vice I'll ask for It." Lyster turned rather pale.
 "Arnott has never spoken of yo, to me; he has too much pride. suppose l had no right to speak tt you on the matter at all bet your pardon"
 There was something in thu poise of his head something fl the tone of his voice that took Nal back to the memory of the on small quarrel she and this mal had ever had to mar the happiness of their engagement
 Before she was aware of It hi name escaped her lips in a littl strangled cry
 "Peter!"
 She had put such B careful guar, on her lips during the last weeks Not once had she forgotten an addressed him by his Christian name, but now, for the moment a least, nothing seemed to matte isut that she was parting with hin in anger. It broke her heart to se the little droop of his shoulders - the hurt look in his eyes.
 Peter turned In 8 flash and wen back to where she stood.
 Miss Marraby."