New Britain herald., 1926-05-03
/JvM MALCOLM VDUARU

1 dance floor, sing another hour, and then wait for Audrey."
 Not staying up nights. then?" he suggested. Bed at ten o'clock sharp" she said, except once in while" I'm glad we've all settled down l for a bit" he said. For about two weeks, things were so hectic ] was seriously thinking of taking Audrey and running away"
 Parrish, still acting as Audrey's escort, patiently sat through the afternoons of practice, solacing him. self with book His evenings were free, now. Andrews fatigue left him to his own contriyances after six o'clock. He employed his time dili- gently. One morning he appeared in AIor- tons office with his guitar. "I want you 10 hear me-" he told his employer. sitting down. he drew the iu- strument from it's leather case. and with puclered brow, carefully play ed q tune,
 Shall l let Miss Morton hear me play on it?" he asked, hopefully, She will be charmed" Morton gravely assured him.
 i've been taking lessons. and working on it every night" Parrish said. I've been going 10 dancing school, too. When Miss Morton isn't so tired, I'm going to ask her out to dance some place.
 Excellent" Morton said. A smile lowered on his lips. "Youre only a young kid, after all, aren't you?" he added.
 Parrish frowncd. You told me to learn to dance and to play this thing" he returned, reddening.
 Morton soothed him. "I didn't mean to offend you. But it really is nice to see A unsophisticated young man, these days!"
 With a doubtful stare, Parrish put away his guitar and withdrew. Nor ton laughed silently, as he returned to his work.
 Before Parrish left the office. for his daily tryst with Audrey. Morton asked him to come to dinner that evening, with your guitar" he added. Audrey will want to hear you."
 The young man, his spirits re- stored, asscnted gladly.
 "Tll be there at seven o'clock" he said. "I can play three tunes pretty well, now
 It was nearly six when Audrey entered the apartment, and dropped int a chair. Taking off her hat, she threw it on the floor, and then let her arms hang wearily straight downward.
 I'm so tired I could Just die!" she exclaimed.
 "Is it too much for you?" Morton asked.
 "No-I'm doing better, Mona says. But daddy"
 She stopped.
 "Yes?" he said, encouragingly.
 Daddy" she resumed, MT. Par rish has been seeing Mona. Private ly, l mean"
 He hid a smile with his hand, but his eyes were grave.
 "Yes?" he said. again.
 T don't think it's right" The girl drew up her dropping body, and leaned forward, her elbows on her knees.
 Whats wrong about it?" Morton asked. "Theyre young things, un- married, carefree. Why shouldn't they meet?"
 The girl made a restless move- ment with her shoulders. They don't belong together" she explain ed. Shes millions of years older than he is, in experience. And I've seen them whispering together in that place where Mona and I dance. Hes just nice boy, and he'll be wax in her hands. And by a word he dropped, l know he called on her at least once, at her apart ment."
 Morton waited for her to continue, but she was silent.
 Do you think she's after his for tune?" he asked, amusedly.
 q think she's just practicing on him." she said, "and he may fall seriously in love, and she'll break his heart"
 But what do you care?" he pur- sued. "You'ye told me you don't like him."
 "Oh, 1 like him all right" she said. T couldn't love him, of course. But neither does Mona. She's just playing with him, and l don't think she ought to-"
 She arose, and went upstairs 10 dress. "I wish you'd do something about it." she called, over the bal cony railing, before she entered her room.
 Morton waved at her, and then settled back in his chair, an express sion of contented mirth upon his face. When Parrish came, armed with his guitar, Morton greeted him with unaccustomed warmth
 "An dolled up," he commented. glancing at Parrish's new evening clothes. we've been talking about you"
 Daddy! Hush!" II was Audrey, just descending the stairs.
 Entering the drawing room, she took the situation into her own hands.
 Gro Be Continucd)
 -