New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1926-09-17

No, he saw at once that she was
not.
She had on a dark frock, and
black shoes and stockings. and she
walked slowly. looking about her as
she stepped.
She could not see Buck, as he sat
back in the shadow, and he made
no sound, so that she did not even
| pause to look that way.
She went softly, slowly, but stead
lily on, to the edge Of the porch and
down the steps.
AS she went down the path to
the side gate, Buck rose and quietly
followed her.
He felt no hesitancy about doing
this, he was her protector. and he
meant to watch over her.
1t was not necessary to be very
cautious, for the soft lawn deaden-
ed his steps, and apparently she had
no thought she was not alone.
Across the lawn she made for the
small piece of woods that was not
far away.
In the shelter OF tree To-day
waited, and then as she went into
the woods he cautiously followed,
but at a distance.
He had no wish to pry, but also
he must see that no danger came to
her.
AS she disappeared In the deep
shadows, he edged nearer, and saw
with a sudden pang at his heart
that she met somebody, and that
somebody was man.
Like a fash, Buck remembered
the letter Bunny had received at
lunch time. How she had read it
without comment, but with, he re-
membcred a heightened color, and a
queer little frown.
Could it have been from this man,
meeting?
Buck was sure that 1t not only
could have been, but was.
His heart was torn with fears. He
tried to keep his faith in Bunny, but
she had left the house secretly, and
WI latC. h1iIC i4thi toiliC W q
man who was waiting for her in a
dark, lonely wood.
1t didn't seem as If much more
We're needed to make the girl blame
worthy beyond power of explana-
ton.
He watched through the darkness
not daring, nor indeed wishing to go
nearer, and it seemed to him that
the two human shadows merged into
one. AS if Bunny had been lost in
the mans embrace and as if she
made no resistance to such condi-
tons.
Teddy turned sick at heart. This
was the girl he loved, worshipped,
adered, to the point of idolatry But
this was also the girl he honored,
respected and believed innocent of
any guilty knowledge or connivance
in her friends death.
What was the truth? For once
Bucks power of discernment was
at fault.
He knew not what to think
what to believe.
More than willing to give Bunny
every possible benefit of the doub.
how could he believe her in all ways
innocent, when she would do such
a thing as this?
He tried to find an explanation.
But If this interview were in the in
terests of law and justice, why so
secret the meeting? Why so late an
hour? So stealthy a departure from
the house?
It was inexplicable. Tod began to
feel a rising anger-yes, even his
Bunny could arouse his resentment
at this treatment of his proffered
help. Why hadn't she confided In
him, and let him go with her to see
this man?
Then he bethought himself Of an
other explanation, and his wrath
turned to great and grievous woe.
Suppose this man were Bunny's
lover. Suppose it all had nothing
to do with the murder mystery, but
that this chap, confound him! had
come from Bunny's home with mes
sages or warnings or help of some
sort in her dreadful dilemma.
Maybe they were affianced sweet
hearts and the girl had only been
flirting with him, and, he had to ad-
nit, she had done very little of that.
Indeed, she had really repulsed
him. and it may have been only his
Imagination that made him hope she
would yet turn to him with love and
affection.
He knew little about her his in
buttons might not be true ones,
maybe she was the typical fapper
of whom he heard so much and so
often.
Well. he must know little more,
and with a feeling of defiance of his
own better nature, he crept softly
nearer the pair in the woods.
They now sat on a fallen log, ear
nestly engaged in conversation.
He could not make out the tenor
of their talk. She hated himself
for trying to, but he edged still
closer, and though he could see 1lly
shadowy outlines of their figures, he
at last managed to make out few
words.
Don't you care?" Bunny said,
passionately, her voice raised
trifle, as If in amazed agony. Have