New Britain herald., 1929-08-28
THIS HAS HAPPENED

a single evening, two men ask her to marry them. One of them. Re1 Flynn, is a reporter. Molly and Red have been friends for years, put Red has an invalid mother, and he has never been able to contemplate marriage.
 The other man is Bob Newtoc the widower of an old friend, whose little girl Molly adores. Bop "o- minds her that if she marries him she will become little Rita's mother If she refuses, he will take the child and go away
 Bob has been drinking, and is rather abusive, when he finds Red in Molly's apartment late at night Then, in front of Bob, Red (whoso mother has died that very night) asks Molly to marry him. Shortly Bob filings angrily out of the flat and Red and Molly sit together and talk of love. She tells him that she is very fond of him. but that ha would make a perfectly impossible husband. And, besides, she lotcs Jack Wells. While they are talking, Bob returns with a policeman. NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 CHAPTER XLIII
 The policeman was Big Tim Dug gan, the night patrolman. Molly and he were old friends, but now he 1or J;ffarapf1,
 "Why, Tim" she exclaimed. "What under the sun is the mat ter?"
 He designated Bob with a jerk of his huge. grizzled head.
 "The gentleman says you're keep ing his daughter against his will, Miss Burnham."
 Bob Newton, are you crazy"' She wheeled furiously on him. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Whats the matter with you any how?'
 But Bob preserved a frozen silence.
 Red was scowling menacinsly, ana MOlIy Sd" tlidN ill9 ii"''' " clenched. She laid her hand on his arm.
 You keep out of this, Red" she ordered.
 Then she spoke again to Officer Duggan.
 Its quite true, Tim, that I have MT. Newton's little girl here. You know Rita. Mr. Newton IS her father. When Mrs. Newton died, she asked me to take her baby. NIT. Newton surrendered her of his own volition. I've had her ever since. I've never tried to keep her away from him. It isn't true that I have her against his will. He has been to see the child, and to be my guest. Our relations have always been per fectly friendly"
 The big policeman scratched his head
 Its none of my doings, Miss, The gentleman says you've his child, and he comes to the station house, looking for a warrant. Sec ing as I knew you, I comes friend. ly-like, to see what the trouble is. "Newton's crazy" injected Red That's all the trouble, Tim
 "I told you to keep out of this. repeated Molly sternly.
 She ignored Bob, who stood ir the doorway, twisting his hat awk- wardly.
 What if I refuse to give hel up, Tim?"
 You'd have to show good req son. Thcre'd be a hearing before judge, and you'd both have . chance to tell your stories.'
 But I mean tonight. You're nct asking me to wake the poor chilJ at this time of night, and give ner to MT. Newton, to take God-knows- 1 ever heard!"
 "'Twould be much more sensiblf now if you two could get together suggested Duggan peaceably, "anG argue it out between the two of yon There's nothing to be gained fy running to the judge with youi tale. Sure, and the child is his
 She's mine" contradicted Molly "He gave her to me-"
 ITO be having for little while soothed Duggan. And sure vol want to keep the little angel. whici is only nature, God knows. Fo' she's as pretty one as ever I saw
 Molly turned her back squarell on Bob.
 Ask him. she directed the DO liceman, If I may keep her to night, and if he will come tomor row to talk things over"
 You heard her, Mir. Newton. E; good lad now, and let's have nt more talk this night. For Mis- Burnham is fine little lady, Inf you shouldn't be breaking her poo, little heart.
 They waited, like actors in 7 drama, for Bob's answer. Office, Duggan drew his shaggy gray brows together, frowning. Moll! bent to a bowl of flowers on th' table, twisting their blossoms tri! way and that. Reds fists were stii clenched. and he glared at Bob lik' an animal that seeks to hypnotiz, before it springs.
 Bob bowed. He was looking q Molly, but she kept her back t; him.
 If I have Miss Burnham's prom ise to see me tomorrow, and con clude the matter at that time" h. said.
 Molly raised her head, and ra turned his gaze steadily.
 "At three o'clock" .he said.
 Then she spoke to Officer Dugga again, explaining Reds presence.
 "Mr. Hymns mother died tonight Tim. He came to tell me about lt'