New Britain herald., 1926-04-03

mules was on her feet, and her ! ankles were bare.
 "I was oing 10 stay with Mona torisht," she explained. Wont you {, take off your overcoat"'
 Morton shook his head. Ho hpd , not taken his eyes from her. q don't think I'll stay" he said
 The girl moved away from him a little. "please stay,', she said. Mona told me that she wanted 10 sec you about something terribly i'm frame Of mind. Really, 1 think Il would be better if you stay"
 "All right" Morton took off his ov"rcoat and ScarI and laid them, with his hat and stick, on the lounge. The girl picked them up and carried them into an- | other room. Morton watched her, thoughtfully.
 "Wouldnt you be more comfort able in this hig chair" she asked when she came back. Morton was sitting on the light gilt piano stool
 "You'd better" she persisted, as 1 Morton made no move. That stool broke down yesterday, and IL may do il again."
 Morton moved over 10 the large rhair and sat down. Y, lost sight Of the young woman for moment as she stepped behind him.
 ~When she reappeare1 her fur coat vas off and only her kimono covered her thin shoulders.
 Morton started 10 arise but she
 perched herself on the arm of his chair, pushing him backward with
 the pressure of her palm upon his
 forehead. Bending over, she laughed
 into his face.
 The light in the apartment went
 out and as suddenly flashed on
 again.
 A huge young man was coming in-
 to the room.
 Morton leapeJ to his foet, thrust
 ing the young woman from him. The young man lowered over him.
 ''so you're the guy. ch?" he roar
 cd. Turning 10 the girl he seized her by the arm. 'So this is what you're , doing"
 He jerhcd her around until they
 were facing Morton side by side.
 Morton took a step backward and , then another. After g moments sur , vey of the couple before him hc } smiled, slowly, Deliberately turning his shoulder to them. he felt in his pocket for his cigaret case, opened
 1t, took a cigaret and lit 1t. "Now go on with the story" he told them.
 , The young man hcsitated. The pirl, though. threw her arms around , her companion and hid her face. "Oh Joe, I'm Sd sorry she walled. } "Im so sorry. How did you know ] vas here?"
 "Iye been following you every ; right you went out" the young man ) said, fixing his eye on Morton. NO" I've found out who you've been : meeting. I'm going to have you both pinched."s
 Morton, puff!ng at his cigaret, eyed them quietly. The girl stole 6 ] glance al him and then ciung closer y to the large young man. l "l'm 50 sorry! I'm so soTry.' she r repeated.
 Q The man took her by the arm and [ set her to ohe side. Then he ad- |. venced menaringly upon Morton. T "You'yA got 10 pay for this ot r you're going to be In dutch right!
 he said menacingly. Morton tilted Q hack his head and laughed. Tht I young man was so near him tha' Q there vas no room for a forward
 step, but Morton placed bis fingers
 lightly on the others chest and th' F. man moved backward. Morton '- strollnd to the end of the room Q Iran the shade curtain up, and stooC l. looking into the dark street below
 "Nhen you folks have finished witt
 your little melodrama just let m
 know" he said over his shoulder.
 Tn, man and woman looked at on
 another uncertainty. Tackle hin
 again, Joe" sh whispered.
 He advanced toward Morton. TAT S. YOU going 10 come across or am e going 10 call q co7?' he said' Ill a voice raised.
 n Morton turned. 'l'm not eoinl
 to come across. and you're not go ot ing to call q cop" Morton flickt' le the ash from his cigaret and con m tinued. "1 believe they used to cal
 this the 'badger' game" he contin le ued. "You pretend that this lady B. vour wife. You Noth pretend tha n I've been cauch. with her. The ide l. Is 10 zet some money. Well, yo Id don't get it."
 r. His car had caught rustic tror pt the inner room. Turning, he too ,n a few rapid steps through the dool 1t He was in & bedroom now, n C. lights were out and he could onl Id distinguish the outline Of a canop O. bed and oi q dressing table close hs es side thc door. There was q move f. nent in the corner. Quickly T e, reached toward shrinking ftgnr he that was huAdlcd behind hanGin: he His hand fell on a garment and pull
 cd the wearer toward him. CT "I thought so," he said. at He led a girl. dressed in her stre' He clothes. into the lighted dra"ih ed room. + was Nona. lt, She covered her face with hf
 hands. Morton looked at her m' 10 rent and then turned 10 the t" na others in the room, IT. "I think that will be about all l' mt this evening"" he said. ne Without hurry he picked up h Ter overcoat and put it on, He took h mt stick and hat and turned to the thr'
 who were watching him. ng "It was not a good job he sal ne. "Actually. 1t was very poorly don A I'm afraid none of yon are profe 1st sionnis. Mona. shall say goodby Dr. Mona tottered forward a step ar by slowly collapsed upon the floor. II pr. head IS on her knees and M. ,rropebjp1 snh pscaped her