New Britain herald., 1926-04-03

Ead your pfcdAldht.
 "Is Ms Morton up?" Morton asked.
 "i Il zee, sir."
 The butler went slowly into the stair-hall, and up the steps. Pres cntly he returned.
 Miss Morton's maid says shc ls nearly drcssud,'
 Take word to Miss Morton not 10 come down stairs until l send for her." Morton ordered. Tell liyr there will be someone here whom do not wish her to meet. When you have done that, tel! the woman downstairs that she may come up.'
 The butler wont away upon his mission. A few minutes later as Morton was taking his final sup ut coffee, he reappeared, "The lady Is here" he said, Morton nodded, and followed Ainr,
 AS he went Into the large rooia. there was the crinkle of smlle about his eyes. He betrayed no as. tonishmcDt when he saw Mona, standing ia the center Of the room. { Tho butler withdrew us Morton nodded cheerlly.
 "A little early for your moruuS calls" he said. "You'll find td's chair comfortable"
 Don't treat mo like that. HarrN.' she said earnestly. "I don't want 10 sit down. ] haven't slept since you | left mo las. night"
 She looked it. There were d@"p
 dark circles under her eyes. and lines of fatigue had drawn themselves from her nostrils down past the cor uers of her mouth. She had used her lipstick and her rouge. but the effect was eiastly against the palIor that edged the carmine spots. There was q droop 10 her figure, too, an iinexpressible wcariness in her voice.
 'I want you to forgive me, Harry" she said. Tn the name Of hcayrn T. can't you forgive me? Don't be so cold to me! Don't keep that shell around you-you're killing me. Harry
 Half automatically, she obeyed lis
 gesture, and took the chair he of ;tered. Her eyes were not on him.
 now, but were fixed yacontly on the floor. She went on. her tone mono-
 onous, as if all hope had been with ,drGwn from her.
 "You don't understand uhat
 you're doing 10 me-" shc said, "You wouldn't do it, If you did know. You
 aren't cruel but fon are being cruel
 10 me-"
 Morton made a quick gesture. T haven't said an unkind word, Nona,' : lie sA]d.
 She nodded, slowlr. 'No. you
 haven't said anything unkind. 1
 wish you had. wish you had struck rlle--beateu me.
 "Oh Harry--Harry. Don't you know that thcrc is nothing so killing :, to a woman as indifference? She , held up her arms toward him. "hnat ne! Do anything you want 10! Any" thing In the world is better than 10 have you coll and hard like tl1sF,' .. Morton took one of her harls ; abruptly, gave It q single pal. drop
 ped 1t, and began pacing the room. thoughtfully. fJLe twisted herself until she could lay her arm across
 the back Of the chair. Then %e dropped her head upon h"r bent ei-
 bow. and sat thnre, qaie', and droop- 1 iug. There was q long silence. Mor- 5 ton walking up and down. glanced al her from time 10 time. Sh" did not 3 stir, but sat with the air of one who 2 has been utterly defeated. [ "Nona," he satl at length. "Nol l cant win a mans love, or hold fl, { by keeping him in hot water. Mighty ? few women know that. Most Of them, ' l think, do the way you're doing, \ = man may bc fond of a woman .. Q even be in love with her. But if ",'" { is always exploding emotional dHna- - mite under him. making scenes, and c keeping him acu,ely uncomfortable" ! he is going to wander away" y Sly nodded, without replying, 8nd
 without lifting her heed from h'r '' arm.
 " He to,M cnothcr turn around tM g roorl. Then ie resunod;
 "1 suppose there are men who wifi Il stald that sort of thing. I douht q q they are worth having. though.
 don't believe the women crcD W@u' | them, after they get them. [ "Nona. my dear" he said, 2loY y Il peusing before her. "I am simply J not going to permit any women nf 0 earth 10 do the sort of thing to Iot c that you've been trying to do tl:' II last day or so. You quarrel with tl s friends, and you lay trap for mo
 q ridiculous one. I'll admit, but Tot B intended it 10 be trap, ! under
 stand what was in your mind, hn r. your motive is beside the question
 for the moment, A child might pla, l. with box of matches. with the bes
 Of intentions, and set your house ol G. fire. You understand his intcntions le but you take matches away fror d him thereafter. ] want you to-" 'e There was a stir on the balcon, n that ran across the end of the room n on a level with the second floor. Morton looked up.
 Audrey was standing there. look Is ing intentiy at him. and at the gir I'd 'who sat in tho chair before him. l (To Be Continucd.l