New Britain herald., 1926-04-14

that he was troubled. mere vas q perplexed look about his eyes, when ever they fell upon her, and his brow was furrowed from time to time, AZ If with anxious thought. They did not speak of her unhappiness of the last few days, though she did refer to Mona once or twice, Mortons eyes questioned her, at the friendli- ness in her voice when she mem toned Nona's name, but he made no comment.
 They had not brcakfasted on tho l train. but late in the morning they ate together-"a combination break fast and luncheon" Morton ex- plained,
 They read the early editions Of the afternoon newspapers. and laughed together at the comic strips. Nor tons fingers followed his favorite characters, as they went through their daily stint, and Audrey snug ged close to him, delighting in his laugh.
 Although Morton did not know of her heart-to- heart conversation with Mona, he could see that sho was happier. and that her spirits had risen. He asked her If she would like to go shopping--"just go along. and look in windows, and buy any thing we want" he suggested.
 Without replying, she ran up to her room, and almost instantly ap- peared with her coat and hat and gloves.
 Ready" she cried. Morton's own face cleared as he looked at her, and while the butler helped him on with his coat, he gently leased her about her eager ness to buy.
 Wouldn't 1t be better If left my money at home?" he asked.
 She looked up at him brightly, and smiled. Morton remembered that 1t was the first real smile he had seen on her face in many hours. He took her hand In his, suddenly and kissed lt.
 Don't worry,' he said, as if 10 supplement his previous suggestion. "I have plenty Of cash-and think have accounts at nearly all the stores"
 Together they strolled along
 Fifth avenue, looking into shop
 windows, commenting on what they
 saw there, and once he waited while
 she darted into a ten-cent store to
 buy a little rosette--a bit of fabric
 made in the form and color and with
 the perfume Of a jonquil.
 She chattered, about the lingerie and hats and coats she saw, and : urged him to buy pimento walking
 stick that stood in the window of an
 expensive store. He laughed, and
 agreed. In a few moments they came out aagin, Morton with a new stick, his old one in possession of the store, to be delivered. Let's do something expensive
 now" he proposed. Let's buy & painting, or something. ' They turned their steps toward an
 art store, where Audrey remembered d time she was along that way.
 Tt isn't such a fine picture" she
 explained, "but it really is pretty, , and 1t costs lot -- you said yos t wanted to be extravagant."
 They went Into the store, and Nor. ton interested himself in a pile of
 prints, as the attendant led Audrey into the gallery where the paintings , were shown. Come on, daddy" she
 cried. Here 1t is."
 Morton came, and looked casually at the picture. l 'I'll admit 1t would be extrava gant l to buy that-for more than fifty dol | lars" he said. Turning to the at
 tendant. he went on: This is copy, isn't it?" 9 The attendant asked if he could e. bring the proprietor. In moment . he returned, with an older, intellec. Y tual-looking man following him. The S latter greeted Mir Morton by name. l You are right, Mir. Morton, of
 course," esaid. That IS a copy" r Audrey looked at her guardian g wonderingly. How did you know?n T she asked
 e The art dealer answered the ques- Y tion. MT. Morton is a connoisseur."
 he said. Would you like the pic- '' ture?"
 y Morton looked inquiringly at the q girl "I'd like It," she said.
 "We'll take It," said Morton. How - much?"
 n Fifty dollars" said the man cas. O ually. Morton's eyes twinkled, as hs - looked at the girl, and she laughed aloud.
 r AS they went out the door, Nor d ton was stopped by man. a little Q over-dressed, fur-collared. and with l. the marks of dissipation in his face d Audrey stepped on a pace or two. al
 Morton paused V She caught only a word or two. ? "All right" Morton was saying r "I'll see you at the Bon cabaret q about twelve o'clock tomorrow "a night"
 if (To be Continued). l. Copyright, 1926, NEA Service, .o Incl