New Britain herald., 1925-10-05

scene and were making copiou'
notes.
MY cab seems fairly unchanged,
Peter said to the girl. "lf you vii
let me drive you along-I don't know
twhere you are going"
She told him at once.
II was going to Euston to catcl
a train, but now ! suppose shall
miss 1t and there'll be nobody te
meet mech dear, what shall dol
She seemed very helpless. Peter
thought with a sense OF impotence
even while he felt rather sorry fol
her.
What time does the train So?'
he asked. I'VE are not far from
Euston--as a matter Of fact. I've
just come from there myself slal
be delighted to drive you back"
She accepted readily--it turned
out that there was n quarter Of ar
hour In which to catch the train,
She dried her eyes when she heard
this, and consented to smile. sht
looked at Peter interestedly,
my husband Is out in France,
she said impulsively. u suppose
nearly everyone's husband Is though
he's just been home on leave" Hell
voice quivered a little. Its horrible
without him." she added,
I'm sure it Is" Peter said kindly
there was something childish abou
this girl that appealed to him.
II used to have friend living
with me-" she went on, But nov
she's had to go home, and I'm al
alone. I've tried to put up with 1t
/ but somehow today | felt couldn't
bear it any longer, so I sent Nan a
wire. and I'm going down TO see hel
as she can't come back TO live Will
me-"
Nam" said Peter sharply.
Yes. that's her name--Nan Mar
ral,y: she's such a dear: one of those
cheerful people who seem to do YOU
such a lot Of good. ] felt quite diff
ferent when she was with me, bui
now - She looked away from
him out OF the window and her little
face fell into haggard lines.
After a moment she went on.
shes had heaps of trouble, too
and she's so brave" She looked al
him. II don't know why I'm talking
to yon like this" she said with al
apologetic smile.
T',,1n nftnrnI t11 "a hnIIl6
| Lyster told her awkWardly
After moment he prompted heJ
gently.
you say your friend has had q
lot of trouble. I'm afraid that most
women have during the war"
But Mans Is different to most
peoples" she said with little shake
Of her head. ut seemed such a
cruel kind of trouble, you know. She
was engaged to man--she just
pdored him-they we're to have bee,
married on his next leave, and then
:"
And then" said Peter as she
stopped
He was wounded" the girl told
him. And he had a bad shock as
well--and when he got better-well,
he'd just forgotten all about her
and that was all"
Peter tried TO speak, but no words
would come, his hands were locked
together his lips felt cold and dry.
Presently, with an effort, he found
his voice, but it sounded cracked and
strange to his ears.
Forgotten all about her." he said.
II knew a. similar case-at least--a
man who lost his memory In some
thing the same sort of way :. ="
REALLY" She looked at him In
terestedly. II suppose things like
that happen every day out in France,
don't they? It must all be such a
nightmare--suGh horror :" She
slliyered sensitively. at first when
told Tim--Tim Is my husband"
she explained shyly, "he said he
thought Peter must be shamming
Did you speak,"
No" said Peter.
Tim is like that, you know" she
went on. He's a darling. but he's
so matter of fact--he didn't believe
in the Angels of Mons BIT" she
added regretfully.
Peter half smiled.
81 don't think many of us really
did" he said whimsically, But with
regard to this-this man . Peter,
think you said his name was. >
"Yes-Peter Lyster never
saw him myself, but Nan spoke Of
him so much 7 always felt as II !
knew him. She gave little
startled exclamation, leaning To-.
wards him. "Oh, are you ill?" she
asked anxiously.
Peter pulled himself together with
an effort, though he was white to
the lips.
mo, no-go on" he said huskily.
And what happened then-what did
your friend do?"
DO! What could she do! She just
behaved as IL nothing had ever ex-
listed between them--she just-let
him 60"
"And-and the man."
Joan Endicott shrugged her Shout
ders.
oh" she said, its not Peter |
am sorry for-it's not Peter who
wants plying"
Peter laughed mirthlessly; he
leaned his head in his hands for a
moment.
Poor devil" he said then. Who
knows"
The taxi had turned into Euston
Square, and Peter woke to his sur
/ oundings with start.
He felt as If someone had plunged
him into an abyss of darkness and
silence, through which he CROPPED
vainly in the desire TO find way
cut.
The taxi was slowing down, and
with an effort he reused himself and
turned to the girl beside him.
ITO Be Continued)