New Britain herald., 1926-04-30
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 NAlCOLMl NUARN


 He shook his head, "Oh, just . thought Audrey" ho turned and looked at her intently-- fin all your life, have l actually forbidden you to do anything?"
 "Nvhy no, think not, Why"
 His gaze dropped again. and there waa long delay before he an- swered,
 "Once." he said. there was Q young man who tried to give orders 10 the girl he loved. And he broke his heart"
 Parrish eagerly accepted the invi- tation to dinner, and while Morton waited, he arranged his desk in Il hurry. and prepared to depart.
 My new dress suit and knicker- lockers are done sir" he said, talk ing his hat from the office closet. Shall I put them on?"
 Both of them?" Morton inquired, lacetiously,
 "No, sir 1 mean just tho evening clothes" Parrish said, without smil- ing. Miss Morton has not seen mo ill them yet, at all.
 She has been deprived of a great pleasure" the older man responded, gravely. "Well drive you to your home, and leave you there while you primp, and make yourself beautiful. Then we'll go on to my apartment, and do likewise. You can join US there"
 Parrish stared as he saw Mona sit- ting in the machine, and carefully climbed to the far corner of the ton- neau. Morton saw a curious little flash in the girls eyes, as Parrish settled himself
 1 He sat on one of the small folding seats, and with great care turned his 1 back 10 Mona Morton sat in the ! middle, between the two girls.
 Mona Was quiet, as they rode to Parrish's boarding place, and Audrey refused to address herself to the young man at all. She nodded coldly as he got out. Mona was looking ont the window, on the other side Of the car, when he lifted his hat and 1 turned away.
 Mona, my dear, you're planning something" said Morton, touching her lightly on the sleeve as the car moved on again.
 His tone was mischevous, as he continued: Black partners some- times spring, don't they?"
 What do you mcan?" Audrey asked.
 Morton chuckled. Nothing, par ticularly. l was just doing little mind-rea ding. Mona has been think ing so hard I could hear the gears working, and the motor back firing In her brain,"
 He refused to commit himself fur | ther. Mona remained silent, but from time to time she cast quick specula- tive glances at Audrey, in her corner on Morton's other side.
 When they reached the Morton apartment Audrey asked Mona to come in.
 [ Mona demurred. "You people and Mr. Parrish are going to be dressed up festively," she said. "Pd better run home and change" Take the car over," Morton as- sented. "Tel the driver to wait for you, and come back when you're ready" He and Audrey entered the build Ing as Mona drove away.
 How do you like Mona, now that you know her better?" Morton ask
 ed.
 She's dear" Audrey said. They
 left the elevator, and entered their
 drawing room. "1'll tell you some-
 thing. She said to me once, that you
 would never marry me-that you
 looked on me as child. Daddy,
 there's something In your eyes when you look at her, too"
 She wrapped her arms around one
 of his, and held him close for a mo-
 ment. "I know you never are going
 to marry her, either" How do you know thnt?" he in- [ quired, amused.
 l Because you don't love her. You
 just like her." said Audrey gleefully. And I'm so glad!" / She ran upstairs, and Morton fol-
 lowed her, more slowly. I When the party was reassembled,
 there developed short argument as A to where they should eat. Audrey } cast the deciding vote. r Let's go to some queer place, <. she said. "1 like to look at funny
 people-peoplc who act outlandishly . Let's not go to one of the big place, e where you're bored." q Morton gave brief directions to the I chauffeur. and ten minutes later r they arrived at a basement estab- {. lishment, it's doorway illumined by ( s lamp in a huge blue shade. l This is Russian tea room," Nor. n ton said, helping the girls to alight }. The four of them descended the |. stair, and were greeted by youth ir 0 q yellow smock. His cheek-bones - were high, and his blond hair wa,
 erect In stiff pompadour. They " handed him their wraps, and fol.
 lowed him through noisy throng tC l. a table. at the far end of the room a Another man in a smock brough
 tea, and placed it before them. Q Mona. while Morton ordered food e idly looked over the diners. Thei
 party had attracted attention. The! 9, were the only guests in evening l. clothes, and Audrey dropped he IS eyes as she saw the stare directed s. her way.
 e Nona reached across the table ant IS tapped her on the hand.
 Don't look now" she said, quiet l. ly, but in q moment turn and Be
 who is there at the second table. IT h tell you when!"
 Ds (To Be Continucd) 70 Copyright 1926, NEA Service,
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