New Britain herald., 1926-04-12

1 did not expect it. With her hrge dark eyes, she inspected the women who received Morton's greeting, and each time, apparently satisfied turned 10 casual survey of the dining
 After their leisurely dinner, Nor ton took her to the theater, and sat in box. As Mona picked up the program, she laughed.
 "I'm going to see myself on the stage" she said. T used 10 be In this show"
 She waved q greeting 10 one or two of the actors as they appeared, and one little dancer directed her en- tire solo toward the box where Nor ton and Mona sat. Mona was happy, and Morton, with quiet smile, watched her face. Having good time, kido" he asked.
 She beamed at him. 1T always have q good time when I'm with you. But Harry--why did you bring me to the theatcr?"
 He made little gesture with his hand. toward the crowded audi torium. "Oh. perhaps so my friends could see q very beautiful girl"
 She dimplsd. Am l beautiful?" she asked him.
 "Of course" he said. You know that"
 She produced a tiny mirror. and examined her face, You know, you never told mo that before"
 They walked back to the hotel and at tho elevator door Morton took off his hat and extended his hand, Goodnight, Mona, "he said.
 She showed surprise. Aren't you coming up"'
 Morton shook his head. "1hcre is q censor under every hat in New Britair-at least. for me-" he said, If l went up to your apartment at eleven o'clock at night, Q deputation headed by the hotel management, and including half he folks in this lobby. would be there four minutes later to ask me how come'?'
 She looked Al him thoughtfully, "Why did you want me to come?r she asked.
 T wanted 10 sec you" he said.
 Isn't that reason enougho"
 But l cut off my engagement, ] sent word 10 them that I was very sick and had to come to the Springs for treatment"
 Lord. I forgot about your re- hearsols' lie said. Wen have to fix that"
 Then you won't come up"" NO. I've got to say goodnight. Pleasant drcams."
 Goodnight, sweetheart" sha said. , her eyes deep and her voice low and yearning.
 The lights in Morton's house were blazing at midnight. With a fur coat thrown over her shoulders ; Audrey was walking up and down
 the short walk that led from the f nigh iron gate to the door sten. 5 Every footfall that sounded in the l distance brolgh- her to sharp atten. 5 tion. She would watch, until the pedestrian would appear. Then her - head sinking, she would resume her
 walk. The air was chill, and she , shivered lit; ', as once or twice
 she stopped, and drew the coat , closer around her. Once a taXicab
 drew almost to a halt before the | gate, and Audrey, with a little sigh, ran lightly 10 the sidewalk. The v driver leaned far out. looked. as if 1 for the number of house, and drove
 on. Audrey turned her back, and ; slowly walked indoors. , At two o'clock in the morning she
 was sitting in the drawing-roou, l looking straight before her her
 hands loosely in her lap. and her S face white and set. { At seven o'clock, the housemaid, Q entering to pull lip the blinds, found !. the lights still blazing, and hel |. young mistress, pale and limp, asleep
 on the chair. Her head had sunk |, upon her breast, and her arms hung
 down beside her. s Tenderlv, the maid aroused her "Is he home?" Audrey gasped. q The maid showed surprise. You f mean Mir. Morton?" n Haven't you seen him 2" Audrey
 insisted.
 il With little quick shake, as if to n shed the weight Of sleep from her, s Audrey turned, and ran up the
 stairs. At Morton's door she paused. i lire shoulders dropped again, and e she seemed as as if about to turn away. At last she rapped upon the o door,
 There was no answer. " She raAped again, more loudly. ny Then she turned the knob, and it 4 yielded. She walked inside. ,- The door opened into Morton's ' dressing room. His bed chamber n was behind, She sped through the e outer apartment and into the sleep-
 ing-room. The wide bed was undis- ,o Iturhed.
 With choked cry, the girl sank A upon the coverlet, buried her head V In her hands The housemald. who " had followed her wonderingly, :. stopped over to lift her up. 4, "He's all right, Miss Morton" she Y, said, soothingly. "I suppose he'r '' been called out Of town D. Audrey looked up at her, with ., wet, anguished eyes. | "I know what's wrong! know
 what's wrong!" she cried. T Her hands shaking. she brushed ,,, back her hair. ,s "My-ny man! She's got himr
 she sobbed. m (To Be Continued)
 Copyright, 1926, NEA Service, o Inc.