New Britain herald., 1925-09-25

II NIN ul til 'i ''F '''' Mcars said, with 2 sigh l thought | ouldn't so on living at all -bnt-w"l, 1 have, you sec. l try ,o do what can 10 help others She raised her dark eyes to Nan with disconccrting suddenness. Are you cugagcd?" she asked. 1 Nan was looking straight ahead oi [ Thcr
 T vas" she said, steadily. But i it is at an end now" And was he in the war, oo?' ! Mrs. Mcars asked.
 "Yes," said Nan
 There was little silence.
 "IIe was not-killed? the elder girl asked, again.
 'No."
 Mrs. Mears touhed the little mill tary ribbon Nan till wore.
 "I thought. pcrhaps-as you are wearing this" she said, deprecat- ingly
 "Mcst of Us wear some ribbon ol another, don't we?" said Nan.
 She tried to smile. In London the other day l saw an old woman in a bus with three different badges on her coat--she was so proud oi thcm-Shc told me that she had three sons serving in the army
 Mrs. Mears laughed.
 How quaint"
 There was a touch Of artifcialitJ in her voice which Nan resented she stopped and looked back at the others.
 Mrs. Mears stopped loo.
 "It's very sad about Mir. Lyster don't you think?" she asked.
 "Vcry," said Nan. F'.'
 q shall miss him dreadfully whel he goes away" Mrs. Mcars went on He has been so kind to me-" Sh' broke off as the two men and tn boys came up She moved ava. from Nan and went over to Peter. You mustn't overtire yourself, she said playfully. T really thinl we ought to be taking you home ! " lldL uO you tllllIh JOllu.
 Arnott had just returned from race across the grass He carrie Claudio on his back and he was re- in the face from his exertions.
 Don't go," came in a chorus iron the three. "Oh, don't go."
 I'm in no hurry" Peter sai quickly He looked at Nan. "Mrs Mcars will persist in making an in valid of me-" he said.
 There was trace of annoyance i his voice. Nan remembered how h had always hated fuss.
 She moved on, and Peter wake beside her,
 "Who is the Miss Lyster you spoS of at tca-tme?" he ascked suddenly
 Nan colored
 "Oh, it.. only somebody I used t know a long while ago." she sai evasiVely It's not a very unconl mon name, you know" He kept his eyes downbent mood l fly.
 : T thought perhaps 1t might hay $ been someone I ought 10 hay r known" he said. "I suppose I hay = some relations somewhere or other s He looked at her suddenly. Are you feeling happier today ? e he asked abruptly. Il Nan flushed scarlet.
 T don't want 10 be reminded y last night she said, vehemently. : q made an utter and complete fool | myself Please, try and forget It. II There was a little silence. l. Do you often walk in the wood '- he asked,
 q "Sometimes-I I haven't mut 1t time"
 d And do you like Mrs. Mears Peter asked then.
 Nan hestated.
 Well. I can hardly say-I, never seen her before. you kno Shes pretty isn't sheo" ST
 longed for him to disagree with he
 Peter glanced across 10 whe
 Mrs, Mears was talking to h
 brother.
 "Yee; l suppose one would call h
 pretty he said, at last. She
 small and dainty"
 And men always like small 3,
 dainty women," Nan said. S
 hated herself for having said fl, b
 she could not help ii.
 Do thcy?" IySter asked
 Nan went with them to the ga
 The car was drawn up at the yoa
 side and the chauffeur was h;
 asleep in his seat. lS She must have plenty of none,
 Nan thought with a pang. ro And you'll come over and $ ,s us?' Mrs. Mears was asking her. ,d should love you to see my b, ,[ John must drive over one day q .s . fetch you. Will you, John 2" gs John would be delighted, he sa sd d Which day should he come? A " day would suit him. ro T think wc had better leavc |, for a little while" Nan answered. ro am so busy; there is such a lot lo do."
 eooo "If you leave it too long sh ,z he back in France" he told l , ruefully. ou m Nan glanced at Peter: he was I o attending, ,s tTo Be Continusd)