New Britain herald., 1929-06-27

portrait. lrta," Bert CrAWH0r0 sang out in his slightly too loud. too Jo- vial tones ''In't 1t . corker. Nan? Benet's mastsrpiece - Benet. the famous portrait painter. you know"
 Nan realized then that her agony blinded eyes had indeed been fixed upon the life-sixe portrait in oils that was hung above the fireplace, dominating the room. The artist had immortalized I-is' flamboyant peau- ty with . subtle brush. for the close observer could read cruelty. selfishness and vana,y in the ex- i quisite face.
 Nan knew now the source of the pose which Iris nearly always struck when she took a seat. for ihe artist had chosen it as the one best calculated to show off every point of her beauty. A tall. slim, languid body. clothed in simmer ing turquoise velvet. relaxed in l throne-like chair. the lovely face in three-quarter profile.
 "It's very beautiful, almost as beautiful as Mrs. Morgan herself" Nan for:ed herself to say gra- ciously.
 Thanks. Nan. She's q dear little flatterer. isn't she, Jack?" Iria acknowledged the compliment caro- lessly, but her eyes remained upon the portrait. worshipping her own beauty. Tt was hung in . Parts salon, you know. My poor husband had to pay fearful lot of money to get it. You see. the artist saw me and begged me to pose for him and poor Jack somehow got 1t into his stupid head that I'd flirted with the jolly little Frenchman. I think he would have stolen the picture If he hadn't been able to buy it.
 Il said that the jolly little Frenchman was in love with you. and be was" Morgan corrected her. every word like . caress. T didn blame him. Who could help being in love with you. darling? But I wasn't going to have anyone else buying my wife's portrait"
 Bert Crawford's laugh rang out. I'm glad you're so broad minded old man! It gives me wonderful chance to confess that I'm mad about Iris. too. As you say. who could help being in love with ner?"
 ''This morning it was Nan you were mad about" Morgan laughed comfortably. Some womans gc:ng to take you seriously one of these days and then you'll come wh:m- pering to me to get you out of q breach -of-promise suit"
 "Oh, so you've been unfaithful to me. you bad boy," Iris Morgan chided Crawford lightly. but Nan watching closely. saw a glint Of malice and anger and something strangely like warning in those odd blue-green eyes. You mustn't let him raise your hopes too high. Nan. He's gay philanderer. as Jack says. But there's Estelle. with the good news that dinner Is served.'
 Iris, linking her arm with Craw- ford's. led the way into the dining room. her red-gold head bent to- ward his in a low-voiced confidence. Nan followed with Morgan. wno twinkled ct her fondly:
 You mustn'. mind Iris teasing you. Nan. The three of us always carry on like that and don't meat thing by it She's as full of spirits as a carefree child" he added admirinsly
 Wheo they were seated and the soup serveu, Irish flashed her bril- liant eyes st her hus.and and sug. gested drcnly: Now, Jack. do tell use all hbeut E.is scandalous Grace Cox case the papers are so full of I haven't had time to read ther,. but knew I'd have to listen |. the story all over again from the hero. You were a hero. weren, you. Jack? seem to gather that id"a from your st'ur this evening""
 Morgan's gaunt. sensitive face flushed darkly. T didn't realize [ was strutting. darling. simply secured a dismissal of the indict- ment against my client; didn't even 50 10 the jury"
 How you must have hated that" Iris laughed a mocking tinkle. "Ha does lofe to rant befLre . Jury. But I suppose all lawyers have exhibi- ton complexes. or they wouldn't be lawyers. Does he practise his ap- peals to the jury before you. Nan ?" Mans face was as full of dis tressed color as her employers We're both so busy he doesn't have time" she answered curtly.
 T owe this case to Nan. by the way" Morgan cut in. trying to look as if his wife had not hurt him deeply. Tt was sAe who discovered my star witness for me and hauled her to court this morning."
 "Very dramatic" Iris tinklei but the music had hollow ring to it. T hope you don't have to split the fee with her. for warn you. husband Of mine. that spent small fortune on clothes yester- day and today. But the loveliest things! Gorgeous enough for a l trousseau. I'll have to run away with one of my important admir- CTS. in order to get the full benefit of them" And the blue-green eyes laughed a challenge at Bert Craw- ford.
 That was the extent of the ceie- bration of John Gurus s:organs sensational triumph in the Grace Cox case. Nan, watching the be- loved face of her employer closely. could have wept for him. but she could have shaken him. too. for being 50 fatuously content with the