New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1927-07-02

4 Deen a restless hunting LOT some
thing-som ething-he knew not
what, until tonight.
I His motor was steaming. and he
stopped at little oil station to have
it refilled. He begrudged every min
ute that the sedate attendant took
to fill up his car with water. gaso-
! line and oil.
On again! Almost flying over the
smooth roads! He had only thirty
miles to go. 1t was that dark hour
just before dawn.
| He was glad that Malice was liv-
| ing in her own house, for he knew
that her father would never have all
lowed him to see her so early in the
morning.
His nerves were In state of
panic. What if she also would re-
fuse to see him? If she did, he would
camp in front of her house until she
decided to come out to him.
How beautiful she was with that
nimbus of gold about her head! He
had never known her yellow hair
was curly.
1t was no wonder she told him to
leave her when he went down to the
car that other morning and found
her crying. She had come to see
him: she had done all she could to
tell him that she was ready to take
up things where they left off-and
he failed her. He had always failed
her!
He found himself praying for an
other chance. II will never fail her
again" he promised.
The first faint dawning was now
lighting the sky down on the eastern
horizon. Thank God! he was enter
ing the city. He saw an officer
plodding along. and slowed down.
At last, as he drove up to the door
Of the house. the sun came up, color
ing the whole heavens with brilliant
red and gold. Was it a good omen?
Frantically he sent peal after peal
through the house. 1t seemed an in
terminable time before maid threw
open the door
will you tell Miss Jones that Mr..
Tracy is here? Please say that he
would not have ventured to call her
out Of bed. but it is very important;
almost a case Of life apd DEATH"
The girl looked at him stupidity.
She seemed hardly awake.
Miss Jones is not home, sir"
Phillip Tracy put out a hand to
the top of wooden settle that stood
near him. The long hours of the
wheel, the loss of sleep and the ner-
vous tension had taken his strength.
He felt as though he were falling.
Can you tell me where she is?
If she is not out of town | will try
to see her as soon as possible"
Miss Jones went over to her
yesterday and late last night
she telephoned that she was staying
there all night
Thank you, will try and get her
there said Phil as he walked some
what unevcnly out of the door.
you've lost her. You've lost herr
The words were pounding upon his
brain. He got into the car and start
ed. he had no idea where, until he
found himself headed toward Mr.
Jones' house. He had no clear idea
that he was driving the car. 1t was
still early There was no one on the
streets except here and there few
men and women on foot or in cars
lurrying to some morning work.
He drove up the street. The old
,l1n--the tree where he used to
meet Malice in the long ago--loomed |
up at the other end of the block. |
He started so suddenly that the car I
swerved almost into the curb. He I
quickly righted it and went on slow. /!
".
Yes, it was true! There was !
woman standing by the old elm tree,
her arms about it---her cheeks /
against its rough bark.
He could hardly believe his eyes.
It was Malice!