New Britain herald., 1925-10-01

spring night into silence, hushng even the sleepy song of the birds and the soft voice of tho breeze fin the trees oyerhad,
 Then the stamp of feet sounded down the pathway behind her, and Claudie's shrill voice called her name.
 "Nan-Nan, ."
 She turned at once.
 Excuse mo, won't you and goodby."
 She did not look at Lyster: she fled back to the house; there was a curious singing noise In her head: she passed Claude in the doorway and went straight on to the kitchen; she drew some water from the tap and drank it off thirstily.
 Nan went up to her room and locked the door.
 It was useless to deceive herself with the hope that anything more than ordinary friendly interest had prompted Peters visit: she went carefully over every word he had said, every look he had given her, and she knew that there had been nothing nothing to justify the hope that had taken so long to die in her heart.
 It was nothing to him -- noth- ing.
 T can go on eating my heart out for ever" she thought; T can go on beating against iron bars all my life, and it won't do any good; why not take what l can? money is something, if it's all one can hope for"
 After all, one man was very much l the same as another if she could not have Peter and marriage with Harley Sefton would mean so many things
 It would save her father from ruin, and it would assure the boys future.
 Sefton would come, she knew, and 1t no longer seemed to matter much. She only longed to get it over.
 | Heaps of women marry men they don't love and manage 10 live quite happily" she thought,
 And, after all, being in love isn't all happiness. Look what l have had to suffer-"
 And she hated suffering It waS her nature to be bright and happy
 The afternoon slipped away, but Sefton did not come.
 She went down to the village The rain had cleared off and there was faint tinge of sunset In the sky.
 Nan passed the road along which one went to Little Gadsden. Sht stood for a moment looking at tho white signboard with 8 half smile The road led away out of her life She had no business there at all.
 Everything seemed just the same as 1t had done years ago when sh' was a child and living in duranc' vile under her stepmothers sharI tongue.
 A woman came out of a cottag' as Nan passed and called 10 her
 Nan knew the shrill, rather domt neering voice long before she turn ed; and a little shiver of distast' passed through her as she met thu cold, beady eyes of the vicar's sis ter.
 T was just thinking about you Miss Marraby," she declared; he beady eyes seemed to take in ever, detail of Mans attire at glance she held out to Nan her thin, cot ton-gloved hand.
 q was wondering if perhaps yo, would come and help us decorat' for Easter. I know you don't tak' much interest in parish affairs, bu 
 Some people are coming owe from Gadsden to help. don't knoV if you know any of the Gadsdel people but I always find then so exceptionally nice"
 "I know a few" Nan admitted.
 Well, this is Mrs. Mears l an thinking of particularly" Mis- Dudeney said. "She is war widow poor thing! such a very charming person, and so rich. She attends tn Gadsden church, of course, but sh is coming over to help us, and ha promised to bring all the whit flowers for the font. She has won derful greenhouses, believe, an is very good to charity; they sa there are always quite a number O , wounded soldiers staying in he , house."
 1 "Really?' said Nan. "Yes - there are. of course. peo , pie who say that it is not quit proper seeing that Mrs Near is so young - and a widow - bu one must sink conventionalities 1 t this war, don't you think, Mis Marraby?"
 "I haven't thought about it." sai . Nan. But it's very kind of Mir! Mears to be good to the soldiers they deserve the best anyone ca offer them."
 Quite so - quite so . en tlrely agree; but though I loy dear Mrs. Mears and think she simply too charming, really thin that it is perhaps - just a little soon, don't you think?" "Soon?" Nan's steps slackenet . What do you mean?" she asked. <, Miss Dudeney shrugged he f shoulders.
 . Please don't think I am crit cizing her at all - she is a frien :. of mine, and I wish her every haT !. piness. But l knew poor dear Car 3 tain Mears, and, after all, it is bare
 ly two years since he was kille D one would have thought sh
 might have grieved for him just I little longer, don't you think7"
 "I don't understand you in tn , least" Nan said bluntly. What Ina
 Mrs. Mears done?"
 Miss Dudeney smiled. rather