New Britain herald., 1926-04-21

pression, She saw his body give a lit- tie conyulsive shake. When at last he turned around, his face was colu- posed.
 "Yes, sweetheart, you saw that when you were a baby--though 1 doubt if you knew what it was--'
 But why didn't you tell me all about it--why didn't you tell me you were an artist?"
 He shook his head, and going 10 her, where she still sat upon her knees, he placed his hands on hor shoulders.
 Child" he said, gently, "It was fer the same reason that I have not told you many other things--whs your mother and father were; what your name was before l adopted you; who l was and where I came from. l have always wdnted to keep shu' th" door of the past Help mo 10 do it, won't you, little one? It Is full of pain for mel"
 Audrey sank farther 10 the floor. with her head bowed.
 Aren't you ever going to tell mo who l am 2" she asked.
 Morton considered. Some day, maybe-though you will be happier, and 50 will l, if never DO tell. But not now, dear"
 She looked up at him. His face was sad, and drawn. There was a weary look in his eyes, that she never had seen before. Leaping 10 her feet, with quick comprehen ension. she clasped her hands as q child does.
 "1 won't torment you any moro, daddy-but I love your picture! Daddy, I slapped Mir. Parrish in tle mouth"
 The lines about his eyes relaxed, and the lids opened wide as he look ed at her. You what"
 T slapped him, and I want you to discharge him right away" she went on.
 Sit down." he directed. "1et's hear about this" She took one of the big chairs. There was rising
 
 him about her adventure.
 He said you weren't fit to be my guardian, and I ought to go away from you, and l just up and slapped him."
 "Hard?" Morton asked her, smn- ing.
 "As hard as I could" she said, 8 little proudly. He staggered! You are going to discharge him right away"
 Not at all" Morton told Lcr. Picking up the canvas that lay be- fore him, he looked over it, idly. "You know, Parrish told me muck the same thing himself few days ago."
 And you didn't hit him, or any thing?" Audrey's voice was incredu- lous.
 He may have been right" said Morton, although I'm inclined 10 think he's wrong. However, he's g. } very good man. It appears he has } the courage to say what he thinks 1 Well. I'll never speak 10 him | again as long as he lives" said Au- drey. If he comes to our apartment |, when I'm here, I'm going right up- stairs and slam the door" Tt will cause him great suffer- ing," Morton commented.
 He tapped the canvas with his hand. 'I worked six weeks copying that in Brussels" he said, irrele- vanity. We all were supposed to copy pictures in the galleries then. !, We only painted from models about .. half the time" Audrey came around, and stand q Ing beside him, looked again at tha picture. It's wonderful!" Audrey, from a booth in Morton 5 . outer office, called Mona on the tele- phone. It took her half an hour be- cause Mona was not in her own rooms. After many difficulties, An drey finally reached her at an oh- |. scure hall, where the cast of sum- 9 mer show was rehearsing. l "I want to see you, Nona,' Au- . drey said, 9 "When?" Mona asked, This afternoon" y "Nix!" s Audrey could hear her laugh at @ the other end of the wire. "I've got b heavy date" d with MT. Morton?" asked Au- 6 drey quickly. e "No-another fellow" Mona said.
 Audrey was indignant. "1f Mir. e Morton takes you out, I don't think : you ought to go around with other t men!" }. Mona let out little shriek. k That's a funny line, from girl :, that's in love with him herself! But listen-my date isn't until three |, o'clock. I can see you about two. E What did you want to see md d about?"
 Now don't tell 8 soul in the l world" said Audrey, "hnt I want s you to help me do sometl ing"
 There was pause. Then she went Il on: "I want to get a job dancing in 1. a cabaret" :" Gro Be Continuedl
 Copyright, 1928, NEA Service, A Jnc