New Britain herald., 1929-09-03

favor to Rita, was a lovely thing shoulders and trailed the carpet, like the royal robe of a princess in fairy tale. The flowing sleeves were weighted with ostrich feath- CTS the color of Chinese vermilion. Her little slippers were orange. When Rita was smaller. Molly used to read her poem called The Hushaby Lady from Rockaby Street." Now Rita, when Molly wore her hyacinth negligee, called her The Hushaby Lady. Molly thought the name was charming, and wore her lovely robe frequently for the very joy of hearing Rita cry. "Oh, see the Hushaby Lady,"
 She changed leisurely. and then went to the nursery. Marie was sit ting by the window, sewing.
 "Where's Rita ?" she asked.
 Marie sprang to her feet.
 "Why. I thought she was with you. Miss Burnham. Natsu told me MT Newton was here, and that Rita was with you"
 But Mir. Newton has been gone half an hour. Where's Natsu 9" Molly rushed into the hall. "Natsu. Natsu. Have you seen Rita?"
 The buffers yellow skin grew pale.
 She left the house. my lady, with her father. I supposed you knew"
 "Oh, my God! Get Mir. Flynn on the phone immediately. And call taxi for me"
 Molly was tearing at the fasten- ings on her hyacinth gown. Before the butler had Red on the line. she had changed into street clothes. She snatched the telephone from Natsu's hands.
 Red. Bob's taken Rita away with him. Half an hour ago. No, l don't know where hes gone. No. No, l tell you. I don't know any thing at all about it. I've just missed her. I thought she was with Marie, Oh. what shall I do? Yes. Yes. I am calm"
 She hung up the receiver,
 "Mr. Flynn says I must be calm. Natsu." she told him. Calm"
 She laughed historically.
 Don't Miss Burnham," cried Marie. You mustn't take on that way"
 CHAPTER NLVIU
 Red had promised to come imme- diately. Molly paced up and down the hall, wrineing her hands. Some times she pressed her fingers 10 her lips. to stifle the screams that were in her throat.
 "Oh, God" she prayed. don't let him keep Rita. Please don't let him keep her.
 When the bell rang. she rushed past Natsu, 10 open the door herself. To her utter amazemcnt. it was not Red -- but Jack - whom she ad mittod
 i've read Ashes of Desire" he announced surprisingly,
 And, stepping in. he closed the door behind him.
 "You've what?" she cried.
 Read Ashes Of Desire" he re- pcatcd patiently. Your book. l never read it before Molly"
 She stared at him.
 T don't know what you're talking about,' she told him foolishly. "Rita's gone, Jack. Bobs taken her away What shall I do?"
 "Rita?' he repeated. T didn't come to talk about Rita"
 Natsu and Marie had disappeared. and the two were alone. Simply. as though he had done it only ycster- day. Jack put out his -rms. And straightaway, like child, Molly nestled in their circle.
 "DcareSt."
 He held her closely. as though he could never let her go.
 T don't understand" she mur- mured. Did Red send you? Do you know about Rita o"
 He shook his head
 No, darling. I went back to New York, when l learned you had left town, I didn't ever want to see you, nor hear of you again. Red Flynn sent me Ashes of De- sire. I never meant to read it. I meant to return it to him. But last night - oh. Molly, it was an awful night! It poured and poured. and the wind howled. l tried to get you out of my mind. I didn't want to think about you. I darn near went crazy, trying to forget you. Then I picked up your book, and l glanced through it.
 My Lord, Molly, I hadn't read a dozen pages, when I realized, You wrote that book for me, didn't you?'
 He raised her head from his shoulder and putting his fingers be- meath her chin, tilted her head back, so that he might see her eyes.
 Tell mo, dearest! Tell me you wrote it for me"
 "Of course I wrote it for you, Jack"
 And those fool reporters thought 1t was tor Bob Newton," He laughed shortly. T don't under stand, sweetheart You weren't really engaged to Bob, were you?"
 "Yes," she admitted. 'I mean no. That is oh, Jack, he's taken Rita,"
 T don't understand" he re- peatcd.
 "Ncither do l." she confessed. Its awfully mixed up. isn't It?