New Britain herald., 1929-04-25

Harold sank his face in his hands again and Mildred waited. Her heart ached for him but she be- lieved that a more level head than his was needed to fight Huck Con- nor.
 With a painful gulp in his throat Harold looked up and spoke. Hes get something that ] don't want dad to see." he said and his terror drove him to g,ance about at his simple surroundings in quick way that revealed to Mildred more than anything else the magnitude of his oppression.
 No ones listening" she said soothingiy. Wont you tell me more?"
 Harold grirpe1 her hands. "I'm afraid of him, Mildred" he whimpered, and d cold, sickening feeling crept over the girl.
 'Why?" she whispered, and Har- old's abject fear had communicated itself to her to such an extent that her voice came strained and unnat- ural.
 He can make me do anything ' Harold told her wildly. Pm a beastly coward, Mildred" His voice was growing louder now, showing his excitement. You ought 10 kick me out in the gutter where be- long. Pm no good. I won't even save my sister. and maybe it's just because you love kim that I won't save Armitage either. I'm too rot ten 10 know whats decent. :"
 "Stephen," The name burst from Mildred's lips in a passionate cry. Harold. what do you mean? What has Huck Connor to do with Ste phen?"
 She was shaking the boys thin shoulders furiously. trying to mako him speak, b'I, Harold's craZcd confession was at an end. Mjldred's reaction to the mention of Stephen name had made him realize that shs would fight for Stephen at any cost Her fingers clutched painfully through his cl1thine; he heard he. voice break. II was unbearable. IT,
 had to tell her something.
 stop shaking me-" he said, and tried to pull away.
 Then tell me: tell me about Sic phen." Mildred pleaded.
 'l will Let me get my breath. Mildred dropped her hands and waited. Harold dld not look at her Hes going to marry Pam" he said reluctantly,
 For d moment there was a ghast- ly, ta1t silence. Then Mildred turned away with a choked sob Harold lifted his face, saw her al the door, in flight. He stood up and called to her but she did not an swer.
 Presently she sent Connie 10 ask him to excuse her. Sis seems to have acute indigestion or some thing Connie said. a bit peeVed because she could not understand the 1rama that she sensed Was be- ing played in their flat. Harold left immediately, which provoked Connie into going back 10 join Mildred and trying to make her talk
 Finally Mildred reached out for her sisters hand and clung to it in way that silenced Connie.
 But later, with Connie offering sympathy and comfort as best she could without words. Mildred told her about Steohen's engagement.
 And l love him. Connie" she added world of pain in the whis- pered words.
 Connie said nothing. only pressed closer the arm she had thrown pro- tectingly about Mildred. But aftc' a while her feelings got the better of her and she burst out angrily. Hell get all that's coming to him with Pamela Judson Marrying fol money,'
 connie, he wouldn't. He loves her"
 After knowing you" Don't nakt me laugh"
 Her words were small comfort to Mildred who lay awake all tn, night through regretting that sh, had not made Harold tell her what Huck 'cunor could do to stephen.
 Tomorrow. she told herself at