New Britain herald., 1927-10-28

''Y' know, I sympathize fully with you.' The tone in which he made the remark seemed 10 establish closer accord.
 After moment he sn,e her a friendly smile.
 "But, after all. one could almost forgive Benson for holIinE the con fossion. if he hadn't also demanded security"
 What security "'
 Vance was quick to sense the change in her tone. Taking ad- vantage Of her rage. he had men ticncd tho security while the bar ricrs of her pose were down.
 Her frightened. almost in>olun- tary query told him that the right moment had arrived. Before she could gain her equilibrium or dis pei the momcntary fear which had assaied her. he said, with suavc d"lihcration:
 "Thc day Mr. Benson was shot he took home with him from the office small blue box of jewels"
 Sine caught her breath but other wise gave no outward sign of emo ton.
 "Do you think he had stolen them ?"
 The moment she had uttered the question she realized that it was :; mistake ln technique.
 An ordinary man might haN" been momentariIy diverted from the truth hy it. But by Nance's smile she recognized that he had accepted it as an admission.
 Tt was rather fine of you. y know. to lend Mr. Pfyf" your jewels to cover the note With.'
 At this she threw her head up. The blood had left her face. and the rouge on her cheeks took on q nottl"d and unnatural hue.
 You say I lent my jewels to Andy, 1 swear to you-'
 Vance halted her denial with a slight movement Of the hand. She saw that his intention was to save her from the humiliation she might feel later at having mad" too em- phatic and unqualified q statement; and the gra aCiousnoSs of his action. although he was an antagonist, gave her mor" confidence in him.
 She sank back into her clair, and her hands relaxed
 What makes you think l lent Andy my Jew"ls?'"
 Her voice was cOlOrlcSS, but Vance understood the question. T. was the end of her d"C"p;i0ns. The pansc which followed was an amnesty --- recognized as such by both. The next spoken words would be the truth.
 "Andy had 10 have them. she said, "or Benson would have put him in jaiI."
 One read in her words a strange, s,lr-sacrificing affection for the worthless riyfc.
 And if Benson hadn't done it, and had merely refused 10 honor the check, his fath"r-in-laW would rave don" it. Andy IS so care less so minimizing. He does things without weighing In" consequences; | am all the time having 10 hold him down. But this thing has taught him lesson -- I'm sure Of it."
 I fcH that if anything in th' world could teach PfNfc q lesson. it was the blind loyalty Of this woman.
 "Do you know what he quarr"llod .hout with Nr. Benson in his office last "Wednesday asked Vance.
 That was all my farlt,' shc OK pluinod. with q sigh. "I' vas get tinS very near 10 th" tim when in" roto was due. and I knew Andy lidnt have all tl}" money. So l nHked him 10 go 70 Benson and offer him what h. had. and see if h" couldn't c,t my jewels back. But he was rrmsod,,-I thought he Would be"
 Nnnc" looked at her for a while Sympa hctically.
 "I don't want to worry you any more than | can help" he said: hut won't you tell me the real r@l,sc of your anger against Benson a moment ago"
 She gave him an admirng nod.
 "You'rc right had good reason 70 hate him.
 Her eyes narrowed unpleasantly. "rhc day after he had refused to give Andy the jewels, he called me up--it was in the afternoon-and asked me 10 have breakfast with him at his houS" the next morning. He said h" was homo and had the jewels with him: and he told nc hinted you understard-tha may he-mayhe I could have them.- That's the kind of beast he was, "I tol"phou"d 10 Port Washington to Auiy and told him ahout If. and i he said he'd be in New ! ork the