New Britain herald., 1925-09-28
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 NEA Service fr ( q AroH-NfLp

lots ne said, sorro"tully.
 He put his lips to each in turn drawing back between each kiss to ask, "Better?"
 Much better" said Nan. She clasped his fat little figure to her convulsively. Do you love me, claudis?"
 There was terrible ache in her heart. She was longing for someone to love her. She was like a creature who has been mortally hurt and cannot escape from the pain of the wound,
 Claudie hung his head, His elder brother had taught him that it was not quite manly 10 love anybody or show ones feelings.
 'I do love you" he said at last, "but--you won't tell Jim. will you?"
 Nan laughed. She kissed him with 4 pathetic haste and gratitude.
 we won't tell anyone" she said. It's just our secret" She went down and gave the boys their tea. but she could take none herself She could only think of Peter, and wonder what he was thinking of her.
 Nan" said Claudie. you look like the picture of the wicked fairy in the storybook."
 Nan reused herself with all effort
 Presently she rose--she knew that The little maid would be wondering why she had been late for tea. and why she sat so long now alone al thn deserted table.
 She began mechanically to tidy the tahln--and push the chairs back.
 T suppose I'll do this every da, Of my life till I die" she thought hors,essly. q shall never be able to escape any more-I've got 10 be here all my life"
 The garden gate creaked, as If be. meath the push of a hand; Mar raised her eyes 10 the window, ther all the blood in her body seemed tc rush to her heart, for Peter Lystel was walking up the path 10 the house.
 Peter-hnre. when only such a lit, tie while ago he had turned away from her in the wood.
 She would not see him-she Wa. afraid to see him: she rushed out into l the hall 10 tell tke little maid that she was not at home--as she passed the door, she could see the dark out. line of his tall figure through the , glass panels.
 She flew on to the kitchen: at tl1a' moment she dreaded Peter Lystol more than anyone on earth: she |, startled the little maid with hel breathless excitement. There is gentleman at the dool T am not at home, be sure and tel F him am not at home--go and an t swer the door at once, will wal here."
 The little maid rose from her chai , slowly.
 l What shall say. Miss?" sh' asked with provoking stupidity. 1 Nan stamped her foot.
 Say am not at home-say I an [ dead, if you like--anything, excep l that am in."
 She closed the door as the girl de l parted; she stood listening in a trem , bling impatience. . Now it was too late she wished that she had seen him; a wild i'm pulse came to her to go out into tn, s hall and say that it was all a mistake l that she was in all the time; he r fingers frightened on the door handl, almost she had dragged 1t open 1 then she heard the shutting of tn, r front door, and after moment thu maid came back. , q told him Miss, and he's gone, she hesitated and a half smil, crossed her face. He didn't seem t' believe me-" she added deprecatingly
 Nan flushed.
 "I don't care if he didn't" sh' said sharply.
 She flew up the stairs two at ; time to her own room-she peereC out, screened by the curtain.
 She could just see Peters tall fig ure walking away down the road he was walking rather slowly.
 The tears rushed to Mans eyes,
 You fool" she told herself say agely. why didn't you see him you had your chance-and nov you've lost it." l She stood there till he had gone then she went down stairs again she made some pretext to go int the kitchen, and presently asked th' ! girl what Mir. Lyster had said. 5 Did he ask for me? What did h. 5 say"
 He just asked for you miss-h' seemed disappointed when I said vol ! was out-he asked if I knew wher' [ you had gone" , And you-what did you say"
 'T said I didn't know" And is that all?"
 "Yes, miss" "He didn't say he would Cam'