New Britain herald., 1929-07-12
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|A4nw4ustia l. Author of |NNdnk&eo0&a|

Gan I play like I'm the husband and sleep in one of the man-and- wife beds Nan?" he suggested with eager hopefulness. You let me sleep with you that other time, because you wern't man-and- wife"
 Nan plunged, her cheeks scarlet. "I-your father and I are man-and- wife now, honey"
 The boys face fell, the big, liquid black eyes became so somber that Mans heart almost stopped beating.
 "Aw." he walled disgustedly. Then Father will sleep in here. Some body's always taking the joy out of life" he added, with so patent an imitation of little Pats more ma ture manner that Nan laughed shakily. Listen, Nan! Can l bring Fathers things in? I won't drop anything, honest"
 Are you glad I'm going 10 stay? That your father and I-are man. and wife," the heart-hungry girl urged, her voice breaking.
 Sure! I always did want you to come here and live" Curtis assured her offhandedly. Listen, Nan. Can I bring Fathers things in? Can I?"
 It was then that Nan made the de- cision upon the threshold of which she had been trembling all day. 'No,' she said gently. Let him bring them in himself-if he wants to-"
 CHAPTER xxx
 With the sometimes deadly inno- cence of childhood, it was little Cur tis Morgan who unwittingly com pleted the destruction of whatever hope had been left to Nan that happiness would come to her before the close of her wedding day.
 The first unfortunate episode oc- cured at the dinner table. AL though Nan longed 10 be alone with her husband over their first meal together as man and wife her love for the child had made it impos- sible for her 10 exclude Curtis from what he evidently regarded as 8 family celebration. He was almost medically eXcited-his liquid black eyes dazzlingly bright his cheek. scarlet. He had told the splendid news to Little Pat, who had obiig. ingly given the younger child z number of pointers as to just wha his fathers and Mans marriage meant.
 Estelle had outdone herself st that the table at least was as fes | tive as a bride could have desired | Nan. however, could not but re member that the exquisite china crystal, silver and Italian linen ha' been accumulated by her predeces sor. Iris again. The centerpiec, of delicate, lovely little sweethear buds have been bought and paid fo by Estelle. however. as a wedding gift to the girl who had been long distance housekeeper for month and was now mistress of the Nor gan house. 1 Maude O'Brien. the cook, ha favored every dish of the weddin feast with her love for the brid and groom. But Nan, at the hea of the table, scarcely tasted tn delicious foods that were place before her my Estelle. Opposit her. John Curtis Morgan scene to have as little appetite. but Cur tis, seated between them, ate c everything with frequent, loud ex pressions of approval.
 Whenever the father was en grossed in conversation with tn boy. Nan stole glances at him. drop ping her eyes swiftly when h looked her way. How distinguished how handsome he was in his ney dinner clothes. A perfect whit gardenia in his huttonhole. Sh had been surprised and deepl touched when he had come hom from the office with huge florist box under his arm. Atop the mas of long -stemmed yellow roses sh had found the lone gardenia, ha adjusted it later in the buttonhol of his dinner coat with trenholm fingers. while he smiled down upo her-his eyes almost as shy as he own. Oh. he was trying to "pla up." trying so hard to make he feel like other brides.
 Well. she was playing up. tot Estelle and Mrs. O'Brien had gon into raptures over her new evenin dress of ivory taffeta the long "pe riod costume skirt embroidere with dep border of golden DOT pies. On the left shoulder of tn snugly fitting. very y-low-in- thence little bodice she wore a cluster ( three of the eolden-yellow rost that her husband had brought he nder the lights. her swirl wave, short brown hair gleamed like cap of furnished. beaten cope Did Morgan really think she VIZ pretty? He had told her so, as st adjusted his gardenia
 But what was Curtis sayingo Ma gave the child sudden, startled a tention.
 U. and little Pat says Nan my mother now. Is she Father