New Britain herald., 1926-04-03
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You two prunes get out of bere!" Mona cri d, luriously, looking at the girl and the stranger
 Morton set down hls walking. stick, and took Nonas hands from his coat. 10 started to speak. but tho young woman In the kimono in. terruptod, shrilly;
 Who told us to come up here? Who're you calling prune?" She advanced toward Mona, her arms re. yolving In the air, and her fingers crooked as if prepared to scratch,
 Mona crouched, and moved toward her with the motion of nn animal about to spring. Morton noted her likeness 10 Il black panther, with her slookemidnight hair and blazing dark eyes. There was no time for contemplation. however. The girls were within an instant of physical attack upon one another.
 Morton was between them in one rapid stride. He thrust the strange girl back, and turned 10 Nona. You sit down." he suid, quietly.
 She looked at him. still blazing with wrath. Then obediently she ,aank into tho armchair that Morton had occupied q few minutes before, She seemed to shrink as she sal there, and her eyes gathered a look of fear as they rested upon Morton. q suppose your clothes are in that bedroom ." he asked the other girl.
 She shook her head. She still was snarling, and casting vicious side long Glances at Mona. "I live up stairs she said.
 | Morton stepped 10 one side, and waved his hand toward the door.
 Then take your coat, and your young man, and GO upstairs" he in structcd her,
 With inc man tagging shoepishly at hor heels, she obeyed, and Morton closed the door.
 Going over to the plano stool, he sat down.
 "Well?" he inquired.
 Nona slipped off her chair to the floor. and on her knees She hitched her way across to where Morton was sitting. Clasping her hands as If she were praying, she lifted her white drawn face.
 "Oh. my God. Harry! For Gods sake, forgive me! l didn't know what was doing! Youll believe me, wont you? Won't you forgive me? Oh Harry. Harry. Harry!"
 Her voice choked until her word. barely were distinsuishable. Mortor took her two hands in one of his and raised her to hcr feet. He lct her back across the room, and scatec
 her in the chair sine had just left Then he returned tG his own stool and leaned back. his fingers claspec around his knees.
 Better tell me all about It." h, suggested.
 It was little time before the glr could speak. At last, in halting sen tences. she told him what had hap pened. Jealous of Lois, and of hi
 light hearted acceptance ~of Lois company the night before, she hat 'raged and wert all night, after h. left her. In the morning a plan oc cured to her.
 T wanted to get even with you!' sl1t said. T wanted to hurt you: t'
 humiliate you."
 Morton smiled quietly, as sh
 went on.
 This girl yon Haw here lives
 couple of floors above. She wa
 busted been borrowing none
 from the girls. She used to dane
 in q cabaret, with that fellow. Il . was her partner. But they haven , had an engagement for weeks an , weeks and weeks. And I just though , that she would be glad to get a littl , money, and he's the sort of fello, , that wilt try anything once. Any , how, they both said they'd b , tickled 10 death 10 try it, and jus before yon came in, they were tell Ting how they could uso the money { I go over 10 London and make a fires
 start there. The cabarets are prett , punk. in London.'
 'Hrm." said Morton, and turn!r;
 strumned a bar or two, with on 2 hand, on the piano. Then he swun , back again, facing the girl.
 Did you really think that yn Q could do anything to me with I sclrhme like that?"
 < Mona shook her head. "I didn
 know, Maybe thought so, I didn P know anything. ] guess, except tht . T was so mad at you and Lois, and l wanted 10 hurt you. wanted .. hurt your pride" She crossed tt II room again. and once more knelt ; his feet. 1T love you so! That S why I did it."
 f A trcmulous smile on her lii I answered his quick laugh. i, Perhaps 1t was right 10 dissen
 ble your love, Il But why did you kick me dowl k stairs" he quoted. F. "1 gucss that when one is In lov q they're kind of crazy anyhow" tl V girl said. "1 know I was. I want, y those people 10 shame you, and nal .- you give them money, and 10 see yr l. Just a little broken. And then. wht Q you did come in. and they started. @ wanted 10 kill them!" Z She threw her arms around ! l. knees, and two big tears cours'
 down her cheeks. "Oh, Harry,
 diL | really want 10 hurt you! I iu # wanted you for myself" g Morton glanced at his wrist-watc
 and the girl slowly unclasped I