New Britain herald., 1929-07-18

You know I'm sinfully proud, that if I listened to my pride, I'd make him choose between us this min Ute. But oh. dear God, he needs me, and the child needs me. Help me to humble my pride, so that l win.'
 Her heart was almost at peace when she crept into bed. Both her could come to her, if he wished. But she did not listen for his foot. steps. for she was sure that h." would not come. Because bitterness had melted out of her heart she was able 10 put herself in his place that night She felt the grief and pain he must pe suffering. Recoiled from the thought of e-makirg, even of seeking comfort, just as he must be recoiling. Poor John. Poor, torn victim of a passion he had thought dead, and of a love that was still too new and delicate to weather the storm of that fierce, re- viving passion for woman who was unworthy but incredibly desir- able. Poor John, She could almost hear him groan: God forgive me. for l love two women. :"
 That night Nan wept for him, rather than for herself. and so heal ing was the temporary forgetful, ness of self that soon she slept, and the next morning felt more light hearted and strong than she had ever hoped to feel again.
 She needed corla,:e and streI Y h 10 carry her through the days that followed immediately upon Iris Morgans return. Her husband was a stricken man, though he tried with obvious and heartbreaking conscientiousness to present a nor mally cheerful face to his family and to his downtown world He was pathetically grateful for Nan s quiet acceptance of his moodinnss. and, she believed, for her unmis- takably firm Good night" in the drawing room each evening. Some times, when she was thus making it clear that she did not expect him to play the lover or husband while his heart was battle-ground, his eyes met hers with wistful uues- toning, as If they were mutely ask ing: DO you really understand and forgive me, Nan? Do you see how it is with me? Don't you know that l love you, too but that I can't come to you just yet?
 And her own round. childish but wise eyes told him: T do under stand. Don't you worry your dear head about me now But love me as much as you can."
 Two days after Iris return John Curtis Morgan presented his legal wife with smart little coupe, ex- plaining awkwardly:
 "A prosperous firm like ours ought to be able 10 afford two cars, don't you think? l want you to feel free to come and go as you please, without bothering about how I'm going to get around"
 As she thanked him, Mans heart contracted sharply. Was the car a clumsy attempt at peace making Surely he did not think he had to bribe her to be patient and cheer full. Then she dismissed the suspi- cion as unworthy of both of them. Inc car would be great conven- lence It would permit her to stay at home later in the mornings, so that she could put a greater en- phasis upon her housekeeping and home-making. Another weanon against Iris. who had not cared enough to turn the house into a home. Of course, she would miss those mpanionahle trips down. town together, Nan reflected rue- fully, but these last two days they had been strain upon both of them. Was that, possibly, the req son he had contrived to make them unnecessary?
 For four days father and son made afternoon trips to the hOspital to see the woman who had deserted them and who had now flung her self upon their mercy. After that first day, those trips were not men, toned, Not even Curtis referred to them, but each evening he had no appetite for his dinner, and Nan realized, helplessly, that Iris was stuffng him with unwholcsome sweets. And she could not forbid hlm to accept She could imagine the boys quick retort; q guess my own mother knows what's good for mel" No; her hands were tied.
 The fourth day after Iris return was Christmas Eve. Nan had bought an elaborate carpcntcrine outfit for Curtis. as we'll as all the materials he could need in con- struclng toy airplane. His father had consulted her anxlously as to the advisability of giving the boy a bicycle. Knowing Curtis pas Slonate desire for the wheel, Nan had encouraged it's purchase, with the assurance that he would obey thelr injunctions to ride only on sidewalks. But the bicycle had not been bought. On Christmas Eve Morgan confessed hesitatingly:
 His mother was afraid of an ac- cldont. She--I thought nerhans a