New Britain herald., 1928-03-15

sense had been unavoidable, and started for his home, little dreaming the diabolical mess awaiting him
 there. To be sure. he was worried, in a measure, because he was forced to keep the whole truth from Jill.
 But Jill was sensible girl. and would understand.
 Thus cogitating. he let himself into the hall of their apartments. There had been no thought in his mind of slipping in unobserved when
 he had made use of his latch-key.
 He just let himself into the hall where he hung up his overcoat and hat Apparently, however. his ar rival had not manifested itself 10 any Of those in the living room from ] which came the voices of two or more persons.
 Tho deep tones of Father Ryan rumbled out through the narrow creyice Of the door. slightly ajar Thcn he heard Pat Sweeney's voice and an instant later Jill's and Mike SWeency's voices both talking at once. II was the startling informa- ton contained in Mikes words that riycted Jacks attention and chained him, momcntarlly, 10 the spot. Her remark seemed to be addressed to everyone present.
 When We left the cabaret 10 go into the Casino Nita and Jack sat at the table"
 IL was the names 'Nita and
 Jack that brought him up short and sent the blood lcaping to his , heart. Startled. amazed, he stood there and listened 10 that which knocked all his carefully planned story into 3 cooked hat" as he, him. self, expressed it.
 "Nita Ravelle saw us. I'm sure of that" hc heard the Sweeney girl say. and waited in the sweat of a nervous tension as she continued | But Jack didn't see us, for he was ! facing the other way. We stayed in i the gambling room for about 20 minutes, and when We came out 1 they were gone. Jill had gone out so as to avoid a scene. During the time
 We were i'll there she almost broke the roulette bank. winning some | thing over a thousand dollars"
 Which l want Father Pat to take i and distribute among his needy l on"s.' supplemented Jill, [ But you don't know positively 1 that Jack went out with the Ra- volle woman,' spoke up another | voice, that of Peter Justin. He con- , tiuued: Just because he happened
 to he sitting al table with her | doesn't necessarily mean that hc 1 went away with hcr." Good old Dad Peter. thought the
 listening culprit, his heart swelling with gratitude. Peter could always
 be depended upon to speak a good
 word for the absent one. | But he. Jack Stuart, was not ah-
 sent He was present - or nearly present. But what could he say for ] himself there in that room in th" 1 presence of all those who had just 1 heard tho indictment rendered ! a-amst him by Mike SWecncy's ] words.
 l But. hc must face the issue II"
 couldn't turn and sneak out like q cur dog. He wanted 3n instant long TT. Then hc took h" plunge,
 "Thanl you. bad Peter, for your l faith in mo"'
 1 He had pulled tho door open
 quietly, and stepped well within th"
 living room before speaking. Every
 face turned instantly toward him. II was a dramatic situation, tense and
 ncrro trying to Jack. Jill broke the strain.
 "Jack," she cried, sprineing to-
 ward him. "Oh, my dear, my dear.
 Pm so Slad you've come home anyway"
 If was the qualifying phrase of the woman in her that sho could not withhold. Whatever he had 1 done, she was glad he lad come | home--anyway.
 II Nas the woman in her, too.
 and the heart hunger that throbhed
 through every fibre of her being that | impellol her 10 throw her arms around his neck and show everybody present that he was still her man.
 As long as there is lifo. Wo are so often told, there is hope. Tutil she
 knew for certainty to the contrary
 she would hope her Jack was still all her own
 And il was this-and morc-that
 she sobbod out as she chung to him
 and kissed and huggcd and kissed