New Britain herald., 1929-07-16
e 1929 M NEA SERVICE INC.
THIS HAS HAPPENED

cides to resign. She fingers however when she learns Morgan is to de- tend a supposed friend, Bert CraW- ford. Nan suspects Crawford and Iris Morgan, the adored wife ot John.
 Morgan wins Crawford's acquittal. He leaves town at once. closely fol- lowed by Iris. She writes Morgan she vii! never return, cleverly omit ting reference to Crawford. Nan saves Morgan from despair by di- recting him more deeply into his work. For six months she acts as long-distance housekeeper for him, winning the love of little Curtis, his son, and bringing comfort to a man who ironically thinks only of an- other.
 Nan returns from her bar exams and Morgan tells her he is divorcina Iris. He proposes to her. After their marriage they are prevented from going on their honeymoon by the unexpected arrival of a pleading eli ,ent For three months this farciCal marriage continues, and Nan is on the verge of despair. Nan realizes she can stand no more, and hys- 'terically goes to her room to pack her bag. Morgan finds her there, and confesses that he loves her but has believed she married him out Of pity and love Of the boy. She tells him she thought the ghost of Irls had prevented his coming to her. NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY CHAPTER NNNN
 Good morning, Father. Good morning, Nan" Curtis panting 9 little as usual from his hurried ef- forts to bathe. dress himself and 'reach the breakfast table on time, slipped into his chair the next morning and was making a dive flor the cream pitcher when some thing about his stepmother halted -his greedy hand in mid-air. My gosh, Nan Whassa matter with you? You look all-glory. Don't she. Father-don't she?"
 He stared at Mans vivid. spark ling little face with avid curiosity. He groped in his small vocabulary for more potent words Of descrip- ton: T never saw you look so- so sparkly Nan. You look like you got about a million 'IectriC lights turned on inside of you. Don't -she, Father?" He turned 10 his father eagerly for confirmation, then his black eyes blarcd even ,wider. "Golly! Father you look .the same way. Whassa matter .with you two? You look like it was already Christmas"
 <" John Curtis Morgan laughed .aloud, so unrestrainedly so joy eously that his sons bewilderment sincreased. "You'rc right, Curtis. Nan and I simply couldn't wait an ,other minute for Christmas. w." gave each other our Christmas presents last night"
 Nan blushed wildly. but laughed stoo. a throaty little sound that was ~rather tremulous, but rich with happiness.
 4 "Aw - no fair" Curtis accused tthem, his expressive black eyes 1clouding sulkily. Then he bright lened: What did you give each -other? Don't grown-ups have q Santa Claus like kids do? Did Father give you a swell present, Nan? Can I see it?"
 Nan and John glanced at each other, then their eyes caught and ,clung. And in the newness and wonder of their happiness they for got the child who was watching them so intently. Laughter fled from their facas; a solemn, almost prayerful exultation took it's place.
 "Aw," Curtis exclaimed at last, in deep chagrin. Guess it's se- crets. Grown folks are always hay ing secrets from kids. It ain't fair"
 That broke the spell. Laughter returned with bright bushes of embarrassment. Nan was about to attempt 10 make some sort of an- swer to the child when E,stelle pushed in from the kitchen with plate of bran mullins.
 Hi. Muffins. Have they got raisins in 'em, Estelle? Have they?" Curtis was happy again, his eyes sparkled greedily.
 "Currants,' Estelle grinned Then. "Oh, there's the doorbcll Excuse me. ma'am. Wonder who it can be at the front door th:s time of the morning? Looks like they wouldn't let family have their breakfast in peace"
 Nan wondered, too-aloud.
 "Oh," her husband shrugged, 'probably a magazine subscription solicitor whose future college course depends on our kindness Of heart Why. Estere. Whats the matter?" he broke off 10 de- mand of the maid who had run into the dining room, her hands clasping and unclasping in pitiful distress.
 a With a fearful glance over hor shoulder toward the hall door which she had just closed upon her self, Estelle darted to the break fast table, her face quite white hcr pale blue eyes rolling.
 "she-she's back, sir" the maid gasped hoarsely.
 Both Nan and her husband rose from their chairs. like a pair O. .marionettes ierked by unseen wires. No need 10 ask who she" was Again their eyes met, but this time they did not cling. Simultaneous ly they glanced away. neither abe to ,,-bo L. IL others eyes. But as Mans eyes tore themselves away from he~ husbands, they swept downward over his face. Il was like the fac of man suddenly smitt"I with death - ghastly pale, pinchoI. ins caupht and frnzcl in th1.