New Britain herald., 1930-10-29

more ever existed Quite simple Only, you see. l can't forget her AR for all this Rose Conaldine business with Socks, l shan't give you away. Why should I? Yor can go on playing ministering ange l for a while after we're married and ! then fade gently out of his life like , they do in the movies. But yor arc going to marry me; and quito soon."
 You're simply prosecuting me, | she said in a low voice. You wouldn't dare you wouldn't dare if your brother were here," Lester laughed.
 You're getting mixed up, aren't you, little one? It's you, not l, who are so anxious that Socks shal think this, that and the other thing. Personally. I think it would be bet ter to let him see how things really aIe. It would be shock to him, il, a way, of course, but it wouldn't ! last and he might even come to see the funny side of it."
 Bully and coward" Hallie whis- pered, bully and coward, Lester. And I thought I loved you.'
 You did love me-" Lester said. breaking fragments of the rock face, and letting them chatter idly down 10 the shore below. And you will again. Don't you worry youc lead about that"
 "Youre blackmalling me, yo" know'
 "Oh, blackmail, nothing. Why, ae that rate, every time you make someone see the other side of d question you're blackmailing em."
 You're blackmailing me in the most cowardly way possible. It seems that in spite of your pledge to Dr. Lytton in spite of the fact that you as well as I were to blame for what happened that night you're threatening to tell SaXley who l am, Unless I marry you"
 "Oh, don't be that way. Look at it from my point of view, Here I am, tied by a crazy will to Socks apron strings. I've got to have his consent before l marry and I've got to marry before l can touch a penny of my own money. And when Socks finally signifies that he ap- proves of our marrying-you go and back out, It's--''
 Wait" Hallie broke in brcath- lessly. Nurse Casey told me, but [ didn't believe it then, that you'd been talking to Saxely about me, worrying him, she said, for his con- sent 10 marry me"
 "she was eavesdropping was she?"
 That was after I'd said 1 wouldn't marry you?' pressed Hai- lie After I'd refused?"
 "Oh, lord, darling, forget it, Let's gc in town and have same fun. In going back. anyway. Socks doesn't want me around and as you say, may give the show away. What did you say your new name vas? Oh, l remember. Coraldine Rose Conaldine. Suits you, in d way. But where have l heard t before?"
 Lester, is it possible that all you want is the release of your money? Because surely - surely you don't need to marry me before you can get it? Why, a month ago you talked as though it was very doubtful whether SaXely would approve of ne. And now you pretend he wouldn't approve of anyone else"
 He wouldn't, You don't know how respectable Socks is. Accord ing to him, you're morally, bound to rarry q girl if you take her out after dark. And you and I. darling by which l mean Nurse lIllesmore and l-spent quite a little time in the drawing room on the night in question. No chaperon. no servants, no nothing. Fact that l had a little nap. apparently, only makes t worse"
 All that" cried Hallie. "is false' remember now what SaXely said about II to me. He sad that you had told him that Nurse Ellesmore felt you ought to offer her marriage. That means that it was you who dragged in the conventions and put i. up to him that you must consider them. It was you-''
 ''As you please" said Lester. But get this straight. It's you l wan and no one else. You're in my blood, Hallie. You're mine. I'll kill you before l let you go."
 He came very slowly towards her For an instant she stayed roote there. caught. held, stricken. Then she flung herself away and turned