New Britain herald., 1925-10-02
NEA Service
~ G 9 NsoEArn

1--WE been waiting half an hour"
he said.
"Im sorry" Nan answered.
lie came u step towards her.
"And--my answer" he asked.
She raised her eyes 10 his. SC
blue they looked against the startl'
ing pallor Of her face. There was
something pathetic In her whole
appearance and unconsciously his
expression softened.
Are you going TO marrys me
Nam" he asked, gently.
There was q little pause.
Yes, II you like" she said; and
added. "rhank you" as If 1t were
an atter-thought.
lie did not attempt to touch her
He gave a sigh OF relief, as If this
were more than he had expected.
IT am a man of my word" he
said. Tomorrow | will take you tc
see my solicitors. ] will hand you
over all your fathers lOU's and
LISTERS on our wedding day.
Nan did not move.
You told me you would give
them to me If ! would be engaged
to you" she said.
He laughed.
Are you trying to drive a bar,
gain with me?" he asked. "Very
we'll. you shall have your fathers
tomorrow. and LISTERS - the day
you marry me-"
There vas a note of determine
ton in his voice. and Nan realized
that this was the best she coulc
hope for,
VERY we'll" she said. She stood
twisting her hat. And when shall
we be married2' she asked.
There was 10 emotion In hel
voice; she did not care In the least
how soon she was married.
His face flushed.
you are putting everything or
q very mundane footing" he sale
uncomfortable. You talk as IL II
were Just business arrangement
"As it is - to me-" she answer
ed. And there Is another thing --
the boys I can't leave them
of course"
He froWned.
1--WE can make some arrange
ment for them" he said quickly
1.-THE two older ones can go to g
boarding school -- but ! suppose
the youngest is not old enough"
Nan cried out Indignantly.
"CIaudie! Oh, l can't part from
Claudio"
Il haven't asked you to part
from him." he answered. Some
arrangement can be. made. hear
your father Is away
Yes; ] don't know when he viii
be back" - ,.....,.
He half smiled. !
"IIe, at least, will be pleased
ayes" said Nan, Al told him be-
fore he went away that you had
asked me to marry you"
He looked amazed.
you're a cool hand" he said, In
faint amazement.
IF that's all you've got to say
she began.
But It isn't" He came closer
Man, I've brought you ring -
at least, I've brought several fol
you TO choose from"
He took some little cases from
his pocket and put them down or
the table.
Nan made no attempt to open
them.
He waited 8 moment.
Not Interested" he asked. He
opened the snap Of one case and
showed her a magnificent half
hoop of diamonds. Most womer
would go mad with delight over
that" he said. with satisfaction.
Il don't care for diamonds" sale
Nan.
She was wondering what she
should do with Peters ring.
81 wish you would choose" she
said again, Il would much rather
you choose"
He gave a little exclamation OF
annoyance.
what has happened to your
he asked. lyon seem to have lost
all your spirit"
He caught her hand as she
! would have turned away.
Don't you care a hang for me,
NAM" he asked roughly.
! Her blue eyes met his; she gave
a little SILVER.
mo" she said. You know ]
don't" She tried to free herself
There isn't any need to pretend
is there?" she asked. "You don't
care about me either. I know"
why do you think I want yor
then ?"
She shook her head.
II don't know because yor
thought l should be hard to get
perhaps; some men are like that
I'm fond OF YOU" he told hel
roughly. II swear that I'm fond OF
you - I've never cared for any.
one else in all my life"
II have" said Nan. with a queer
little laugh.
He flung away from her impa-
tiently.
ITS that internal fellow Lyster
Why can't you forget him.
should have thought you would
have more pride than to go cry
ing for a man who has treated you
as he has. Make up your mind 10
forget him."
IF ] hadn't" said Nan quietly,
II shouldn't have said would
marry you. and now IL you've quite
done with me ] should like to so
and put the boys to bed"
You think more of those little
devils than you do of me-" he said
! jealousy.
She stood waiting with a sort Of
weary resignation; he had been
right when he said that she SEEM
ed to have lost all her spirit; moth