New Britain herald., 1926-08-02

she asked him. as the car turned tn
 corner of a street, on two wheels.
 Plenty" Les answered, briefl
 and to the point. Then he lost hi | look of gloom for an instant ant
 flashed his cheerful grin at her. -i,. Aren't women fools?" he asked
 Aren't they?"
 Yes, agreed Merry, but that,
 no reason why you should drag m,
 away from my work to tell me so!' That isn't what I dragged yot
 away to tell you" he replied darkIy , They were in a quiet side stree,
 now, and he drew the car up the curb in front of big white house
 and stopped.
 i Were in the very deuce of a fix you and l, he began abruptly, ! you especially. Do you know it?" ! Shocked into silence, Merry star
 ed at him, open -mouthed.
 ! Do you remember one night about month ago. when we drove out into the country?" he asked, and she nodded mutely. You remember that we stopped somewhere for sandwiches, and that a Ford car was behind us all the way back to town?"
 Merry shook her little blond head
 Well, there was" Les told her solemnly. Tt followed us all the way 10 your street. I didn't think any thing about it until that night l dropped in to see you-the night Erskine dropped in, too, you know"
 He paused, and Merry said in a faint voice that she remembered the night perfectly
 How could I ever forget it?" she asked, with groan. Bill Erskipe and I have been on the outs ever since. He sure was peeved because you were there-and I had mysteries all over the house. Oh, yes. I re- member that night very well. Go on with your interesting narrative, MT. Bedtime Story"
 Les went on with it.
 "Well, that night when left your house that same Ford car was parked across the street from your house. I recognized it because of the lamps on it. One of them was painted yellow. Sometimes I notice little things like that, and remem- Der them without even trying"
 Merry was listening eagerly. tense Iy, now. Her hands were clenched md her lips quivered as she lean- d forward.
 "A detective-your wife" she 1 in a duled sort of way. i
 Les nodded. Tt must have been | detective" he said, not looking at i Ter, "because she's going to na 'ou in this divorce suit of hers. l. awyer just broke the good news L> ne today. Nice, isn't it?"
 Merry shranll back into her cor Ter. of the shabby, little car. Above | he cheap fur collar on her coat, Ter small face had gone ashen pale. Ter hands fluttered in the air for m instant and then fell into her ap. =. r
 Momsi What would Mons say, { when her name was printed in the ,aper, along with the story of the ut a hundred other people-Helen. nd Cassie, and Jimmy. and Lillie, nd Muriel Kaufman. and Tony ,aines' mother! Tony Gaines moth r, who would undoubtedly clip out he printed story and send it to pny. 1.. 1, She can't do it.' Merry cried. She struck the wide rim of the steering heel with her clenched fist. "She ant do it to me! I won't let her 0 it. I'll Sue her!" Les laughed. That's what I want l to talk to you about" he said. q bought of something else - fought you might go to see her, nd explain to her that you're en- ( aged t6 Erskine and have no de- gns on me. You might tell her that 1 7. ou know me only in business ay." Merry thought it over. "Yes. but
 Bill Erskine saw you with your , ms around me that night, the de- ctive probably saw the same ing" she unused, "and he's told 7 our wife all about it. of course" Les started his car. No. I think il saved the day for us" he re- . jed. If there was anyone watch g us that night, he probably beat 7
 when he saw Bill coming. Any w, we'll take a chance on it. You me along and talk to Nonie, and 0 Il her what a nice girl you are" He seemed to be greatly scheered ', , all at once. He whistled as he ove the car down the street, and
 it turned the corner he pulled q