New Britain herald., 1929-07-16

land
 Iris, please." Morgan inter- rmpted sternly. but with a betray- ing tone of pity in his voice. I'm more sorry than I can say that you could not be reached before the suit was filed, but I give you my word that it is perfectly legal and that Nan is my lawful wife"
 Nan? Nam" Iris cried, her voice rising on hysterical laughter Nan, Oh, oh!" What started as laughter rose and rose until it was d -shattering scream.
 Then, abruptly, when Nan felt that human ears could no longer endure the agony of that dreadful assault the sound broke off. Iris Clenched hands, which had been flung above her head, dropped sud denly, wavered. Then, before either Nan or her husband could move to give her help, the tall, fragile Lody crumpled, fell in a heap at John Curtis Morgan's feet
 Nan, Shes fainted." Morgan called hoarsely. as he dropped to his knees. "Brandy-quick, The sideboard I'll carry her into the living room-"
 Nan was too sick and dazed to obey quickly, but somehow she man. aged to find the brandy bottle. spilled some into a glass, caught up from the breakfast table her our,, ,Iptoucbed olace of uotor ran with them jerkily. on icy feet. Nut just on the threshold of the living room she halted involuntarily. Her husband had laid the unconscious body of his former wife upon the big couch anl was kneelng beside her, his heal bowed upon her breast, his lands locked above h,s head in a gesture of such pro found despair that Mans heart cried out in passionate prayer for inconsistencies for herself.
 AS if that prayer had reached him, instead of the God to which it had been directed, John Curtis Nor ! gan suddenly raised his head and turned it toward the door where Nan stood. In his eyes was no rec 1 ogntion of the girl as his wife. only wild urgency.
 For Gods sake hurry! I'm afraid she's dead"
 Nan stood beside him, watching | with that qIeer grave aloofnese | which had come upon her, as his l. shaking hands held the tiny glass of brandy to Iris pale, parted lips. She did not speak. What could l she possibly say that would help him now? But when Iris bronze | lashes began to flutter against he" almost transparent white cheeks, | Nan quietly moved out of range Of 1 Iris returning vision, took her place at the end of the couch, her | grave eyes fexed in an unwinkini; | stare upon her husbands ravaged 1 face.
 4 white hand rose fcebly, way cred, then fluttered to rest upon | Morgan's black-and-silver head.
 such horrid dream, Jack,' T ! thread of e voice whispered. "I | knew all the time I was dream. ing, but l couldn't wake myself | Lp. Dear, silly Jack" The long 1 white fingers rumplcd his ha's fcebly.
 With groan of sheer agony the man dropped his head 10 her 1 breast again. Nan knew he diG | not even remember that she was there. The thread-like voice went 1 on:
 So tired, Jack-so tired, Poor Iris had been awfully sick. Did | you know? So sick, Tried to- commit suicide. So sick, Jack, Wanted you, Jack. So lonely. | Ashamed to come homc-but I did i T came homo" The thread spun . itself gossamer-finc and broke; the 1 eyelids fluttered down over the ! blue-green eyes.
 "Oh my God" The words were wrung from the man on a sob that shook his body.
 Jack! Silly Jack,' There was a ghost of laugh. "Everything's all right. Iris has come back to you. You're glad, aren't you, Jack? In that horrd dream you told me you'd divorced me and married Nan Carroll, Wasn't that . a foolish dream. Jack?"
 The long white fingers tvined about a lock of the mans hair, tuggcd at it with feeble playfulness. which suddenly became frantic as his head remained bowed on her breast. Tt was just a dream, wasn't it. Jack? Tell me-"
 Suddenly, though how she knew i should could not have told to save . her life, Nan was sure that Iris | Morgan vas shamming. that the fainting spell had been fakod, just | as this feeblencss of voice and . hand. his Childlike prattling Of a | "horrid dream" were faked for i the purpose which had been so completely accomplished-of bring ing John Curtis Morgan to his knees.
 She might have llnown-she told herself with that queer. aloof calm that had descended upon her - that Iris would fight like this. What | other weapon had been left to her? Well-Nan shrugged mentally - it