New Britain herald., 1926-05-14

eyes drifted to the steaming silver coffee pot and the sugar coated crul- lers.
 Then, coming back to the business at hand with a jerk, he said. She told me to tell you that you must come at once, that she HAD to see you right away. And l was not to take No for an answer"
 "Who is the lady?' asked Morton.
 The boy drew a card from his pocket and handed it to Morton. On it was penciled the single word, Mona"
 ''I was to come back with the an swer" said the child, devouring the breakfast tray with his eyes. 1 Morton turned toward the door. You eat your breakfast while you wait. I'll give you the answer in q minute"
 He went out of the room and up the stairs. The nurse met him af Audrey's door. How is she?" he asked, breathlessly.
 About the same" said the nurse. "If anything she's sleeping q little more quietly. She seems thoroughly exhausted. The doctor will be here before noor."
 Then" said Morton, q am going | out for little while. It is on urgent business or ] wouldn't leave her. You don't think she will ask for me?"
 The nurse shook her head. This coma seems to be very heavy. In cases of this sort unconsciOusncss usually lasts for two or three days. We can't tell anything about her condition till she comes out of it." Morton entered the drawing room a moment later dressed for the street. The messenger was scraping up the last crumbs of the crullerS from his plate. His face was smearcd with powdered sugar.
 Come on," said Morton, and they | left the house together. You can go on your business now" he said to the boy. T will answer the mes sage myself"
 The boy hesitatcd while a belligcr- ent expression dawncd and died on his face. But she wasn't going to pay me till I got back with the answer" he said, civilly enough.
 Morton gave him a bill which sent him gleefuly scampcring. The first taxi on the street that morning picked Morton up. He gave an anxious glance back at the apart lment house as they drove away. Hurry" he said to the driver, giv- ing the address of Nona's apartment. The faint, sick light Of early morn ling was over the streets of New York. The only spots of light and activity were the quick lunch shops on corners here and there where workmen were stoking the machin- cry for the days labor.
 They neared their destination. Morton glanced up and saw that a light burned in Nona's bedroom. He paid the cab driver and ran up the stairs of the apartment building, not waiting for the sleepy elevator man.
 When he tapped on Nona's door it gave under his touch and he en- Itered the room. For moment he stopped in horror. The place was
 filtered with bottles and cigarct ashes. The porcelain lampshadc on INona's little table had been broken in three pieces and one of these lay on the rug at his feet.
 Every electric bulb was still burn ing.
 While he stood in the doorway the door of Nona's bedroom burst open land Mona herself stepped out. She was wrapped in a big white robe with a border of ciderdoWn and her black hair and white face completed the effect of some stark and tragic etching.
 She staggered toward him, clasp ing her hands. "Harry.'
 Morton went to her. "What on earth is wrong. Nona?"
 She swayed slightly and passed her hand over her brow. q had 10 see you, I HAD to see you. I called and called, and you didn't answer. And I got desperate. You're life itself to me, Harry"
 She chung to him with her face buried on his lapel The robe fell back and he could see that she was wearing an evening dress under meath.
 She let the white robe slip from her shoulders to the floor.
 Haven't you been to bed, Mona ?"