New Britain herald., 1929-07-19
| A4nRAustn Author of |NrNakMeMAal

Christmas Dad"
 "Then-" Mans hand went to her throat, for she felt that her heart was leaping from it with joy - he didn't go? He didn't see her to- day."
 No. That was the trouble He telephoned her at the Wellington Arms that Curtis was not able to go out and that. Of course. he couldn't see her either. Johns no fool, Nan. He's not entirely superior to con- vention. No man in the public eyes, like John Curtis Morgan, can afford to be. With the kid along as cha peron and as an excuse for the call, a remarried man may call on his d. VorCed wife without creating scandal. but without that excuse. We'll Iris simply had fit. Damned little sympathy she got from me, ] can tell you. of course you know she accuses you of having Vamped. trapped and abducted her hus- band ."
 q know" Nan nodded. her eyes hot with anger and humiliation.
 Well" the doctor chuckled. '1 told her a thing or two. But I'll warn you. Child-she's cruel. Nl- cious woman and she'll stop at noth- ing to punish you. Know what l think? She doesn't really give tonkers damn about poor John; just sort of drifted home, because there wasn't anything else 10 do and de- termined to make the best Of him as a husband until she could find an other man more to her liking. But finding you installed in her place and making a success of the job she .always fallen down on and tnally shes simply gone herserk, my girl, and God only knows what shel' do to get even. She said to me today. I'll get him back and put that girl in her place f. it's the last thing l do on earth.' And she mean it, Nan"
 But" Nan felt that she was strangling. But. Dr. Blank, what can she do? If John"
 "Whatever she does, fight her till you llCk ncI, SIil' NY lI'llNs Oii you, Nan"
 CHAPTER NLlI
 Look what l found, wandering the sree;~ disconsolately and looking as if he'd lost is best friend!" John Curtis Morgan greeted his wife at five minutes 10 six.
 His voice was so natural. so jolly.
 of do of anxiety as 10 what she would think of his bringing an unexpected guest for Christmas dinner, that Nan sprang from the living room coucl and ran toward him.
 "Willis Todd" she cried joyously. incredulously, as the embarrassed young man who had once hoped to marry her guiltily followed his host into the room. You don't know how glad l am 10 see you, Willis. I've been inteding for ages to be very ;ndiscreet wife and beg you 10 have luncheon with me "
 And now" Willis laughed, "your husband heaps coals Of fire on your head by treating me as a family friend '
 AS soon as he had said ii, Willis Todd realized that he had commit ted a faux pas. For his unconsidered words reminded Nan that he knew and that she knew of another fam ly friend" who had grievously be- trayed John Curtis Morgans hospl- tality. And so both he and Nan were i | chnnl. lonIc fact which Morgan noted and pug ZIed over.
 Then he must have remembered how he. blind 10 her love for hIm- self, had once asked Nan when she was going to marry her faithful suit or. To cover his confusion, he inn mediately became very voluble and jovial-mannerlsms which set oddly upon his natural austerity. His vas dry. twinkle -in- -the-c eye, downward { Quirking-lip sort of humor, not the | loud laughing, boisterous kind which l he now called to his aid.
 "Yes, Nan, my defeated rival here was wandering along Washington street, looking as disconsolate as if l ilf T JlSl IOull'l Uut lItlt NhSl! any Santa Claus. So l brought him here 10 prove there IS. Look at the Christ i mas tree, Todd. If it doesn't prove there is a Santa Claus"
 Heres Estelle John," Nan inter rupted. "bursting with news about | Christm9s dinner. Just filc minutes. t;stellc, please. John, will yon take 1 i've tp l,i h,
 Sorry I'm not dressed. Nan the young man apologized. "Mr. Morgan wouldn't give nc time 10 go 10 my rooms"
 I'm glad he didn't; I'd have had fearful cock on my hands If he'd delayed the dinner" Nan laughed.
 She waited until her husband and guest had disappeared Up the stairs then followed them flcetly, stopping at her own door near the head of the stairs. Since Willis Todd was to ! Le present at the after dinner open ing of Christmas gifts he should moi be left out in the cold. There was q cravat she had bought for her hus- llttItN anu " nun Sllt lldu utIl'l'u lO return, since. upon daylight inspec- ton, it's colors had seemed to vivit for his dark austerty. But it was exactly right for Willis Todd.
 Let John think I bought it for Willis in the first place" Nan grin fred to herself. "I do believe he was d little jealous when he caught us both blushing. Let him be jealous. Do him gooI.'
 She wrapped the boxed tie with lightning speed affixed Merry Christmas" seals, tagged it with a card which read: For auld lang syne. From Nan to Willis"
 She found the two men waiting for her in the drawing room. and obviously relieved when she joined