New Britain herald., 1929-07-12
Q 1929 4 Nf1 SERVICE INC.

But he'd kissed ITS III nlS once. She'd seen him-a score of times.
 Stop it, Nan Carroll" Nan com- manded herself angrily. forgetting for a moment that she was now Nan Morgan and not Nan Carroll. You'll drive yourself crazy if you're going to keep torturing yourself with comparisons of his attitude to you and to Iris He divorced her of his own free will and accord and mar ried you. You are his wife now, not Iris."
 Before leaving the office she gathered up the typed sheets of David Blackhull's story, thrust them into the fine, flexible leather brief case that she had found among her new possessions that morning. Stamped in gold on the front was her new name, Mrs. J. c. Morgan" How sure he had been that she would go through with the marriage. And what lot of planning he had done to prepare these wedding gifts for her. Gratitude and love-un- tainted for the moment by jealousy and reboding-surged through her heart. As she bade Kathleen O'Hara goodby for the day, Nan looked the happy. beloved bride that they all even Evans and Blake, who had known Iris-believed her to be-
 Curtis, playing on the lawn with Cop, who had grown into an enor- nous police dog. and Little Pat O'Brien. saw Nan as she turned up the flagstone path to the house.
 Hi. Nan. Your trunks here. Listen, Nan, are you going to stay all night? Maude and Estelle wouldn't tell me. They said to ask you" He flung himself upon her. al- most strangling her with the ve- hemence of his embrace. Are you, Nan? Are you? Hi, Look at Cop. He wants to shake hands with you, Nan!"
 Curtis feeling himself almost grown up at ', had long since dis s, nickname of Mana" with which Iris had taught him. when he was years old, to address his fathers seretary.
 Nan knelt and held him close to her heart, regardless of neigh bors or servants who might be watching. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked him over proudly. with as much love-she thought-as if he were her own flesh and blood. He was very different child from the spoiled. anemic little boy that Iris Morgan had deserted nine months ago. His cheeks had filled out, there was astonishing strength in the round arms that chung to her SC tightly.
 Listen, Nam" he plunged or breathlessly, without waiting for ar answer to his other importunats question. You know what? We hac physical 'zamination today, and yol know what? I got A-plus Honest! The doctor said my weigh was just right, and my hema-hema glo- bin-I can spell it, too!-was 94 Little Pats -glo-bin is 9S. bu l betcha minell be about 150 by nex term. You are going to stay all night aren't you, Nan? Can l sleep witt you?"
 Little Pat. who had drawn near let out a warhoop of delight at tha innocent question of Curtis. bu there was no smile on Mans face.
 Gee, Nan, you're red as beet.' Curtis informed her.
 T mgoing to stay all night. anc as many more nights as you wan me, Curtis" Nan said in a low voice as she gently released the boys arm from about her neck.
 Hi. Pat. Mans going to stay al the time at my house." Curti shrieked and tore across the lawn {, his chum. followed by a madly ex cited police dog.
 Nan walked slowly up the path l. the front veranda and. without ring in gthe door bell, stepped through al open French window into the draw ing room. Her eyes flew to the fire place. Estelle had lost no time. Nal could imagine with what maliciou pleasure the maid, who adored he and despised the houses former mis tress, had yanked down the life sig portrait of Iris Morgan which ha dominated the drawing room. tn whole house. even the life of Joh Curtis Morgan.
 But Nan. at the hanishment Of he rivals portrait, felt no relief-onl dismay. For the picture was nor conspicuous by it's absence than could have been by it's presence. had left as ineradicable a mark 0 the wall as it had upon Morgan heart. Where the picture had hun there was now great rectangle ( paper many shades darker than tha of the surrounding space. Nan stoo staring helplessly at the spot wher the picture had hung. What coul she do? If John came home to fin that dark, blank space where h had been accustomed to seeing a most incredible beauty, would tn terrible thought occur to him thf Nan. in banishng his former wife picture, was trying as crudely { banish her from his heart? An would he be forced to face the fac that his heart was as empty withol Iris as that blank space above tn fireplace?
 Nan cast desperately about for
 solution No, there was no other pic ture in the house anywhere nca large enough to fit the space. N piece of tapestry large enough ( !: worthy to fill so conspicuous , place No lime 10 have the roOI