New Britain herald., 1926-04-16
V W N MALCOLM \DUARU
 N ~

and did not lift hts eyes.
 
 Morton was e'obDing at grape. fruit, at breakfast next morning. when the butler brought In tel"- gram.
 Morton glanced over it
 When my office opens. please call up Parrish there, and tell him % wire my office In New Britain that l won't be back for about week." he directed. "Tell them 10 takc care of any business matters that come np as they see flt. They know what to do."
 The butler bowed. Morton nn!sNa, his grapefruit, and turned 10 the large platter of bacon and fried ses that was set before him.
 Has Miss Morton been dot.u. stairs this morning." he asked.
 NO sir" the butler said. Shall I inquire. sir?"
 "No--neycr mind" said Morton. q think she retired rather late Iast night"
 
 up one of the papers that lay beside his plate, and glanced over the head lines. Then he turned 10 the market reports, and ran his eve down the coumns of fine print. Evidently finding nothing 10 interest him, he rang for the butler.
 "Never mind that message 10 my office" he said. 'Ttlephone Parrish to come over here, right away"
 He sauntered into the drawing room. and stood looking ont the window. at the busy street below. IL was turning spring. and the gar ments of the girl office workers, hur- rying lest they be late. were brighter lin color than for some months past. Morton watched the morning pro cession for q while, and then turntd to the pipe organ, back in the dark alcove. Switching on the electric .amp. he detached the self-player mechanism, and began lingering the keys softly.
 He was still playing when Parrish was announced an hour later.
 parrish's manner was stiff. as lie itntered the room. He did not give his hat into the outstrctchcd hand of the butler, but remained standing at attention. There was much dis favor in his eye as he looked at his employer.
 Give him your hat and coat, Morton told him, still moving his hands over the keys. Reluctantly Parrish ohe%cd. and obeycd Morton's motion toward q chair
 Morton repeated the message for his New Britain office that he had given the butler earlier, and Par riSh made note Of it.
 "ls that all, sir?' he asked. Morton thoughtfully strolled across the room, and seated himself , on the edge of the table. beside , which Parrish sat. I'm going 10 be engaged this afternoon and this evening"" Morton said. "Win it be too much trouble , for you 10 take Miss Morton out any place she desires to Go?" "No sir Parrish said. sitting !, erect and rigid, with his eyes avert
 ed from Morton. | Tn that case" said his employer. ' suggest you call her on the telc-
 phone about noon, and ask her # , she would not like to so for ride lin the country, She has not yet risen . ;his morning." He looked at Parrish. waiting. but the young man said nothing. ! You may open an office account l for yourself" Morton went on, flor 3 purposes of entertainment. I'm . afraid that taking Miss Morton around may prove too costly for , you, otherwise" S Parrish flushed. ,. Miss Morton usually has plenty
 of money with her" her guardian . proceeded. but 1t Is embarrassirs z for young man to borrow from A.
 iady."
 r Parrish started. and darted a Q quick look at his employer. Morton's r face was impassive. Parrish sighed, f as If in relief. e T am sure you will not take her
 to any place she ought not to go." = the cool even voice went on. At l least, unless she asks you to take r her there herself" l Parrish shifted uneasily and again I there was a question in his eyes as l he looked at Morton. There was no }, visible answer in the older mans
 face. He only continued his instruc- . tions. If you take her to restau. |, rants, take her 10 those where the v food is good. You have not been Q around the world much--I believe l Il am right in saying that, Always n be certain to fee the walters llber. = ally"
 ]. Parrish hastily arose to his feet q You saw me-you saw us"" he ey- Q claimed.
 8 Morton's eyebrows raised In ap. l. parent surprise. 'I am afraid you
 are talking in riddles. That's q bad o habit. You evidently have some Q thing on your mind that don't l. want 10 inquire Into. If you want t to dance, Miss Morton can show you n about as we'll as any teacher. guess y that's all"
 i Parrish regarded him douhtfully. Lt and seemed about to ask again If
 Morton had seen him the night be. 9 fore. The other man waved him l. away.
 IS "1f you have guilty conscience y about anything, I don't want to
 know It." Morton said. "1 don't in- d quire into other peoples con
 sciences"
 1T But I'm not guilty of anything, ' 1T Parrish protested. e You act as if you were" Morton '- said, taking the other by the arm e But I suppose it's merely my i'm