New Britain herald., 1930-01-20
Chapter l2 | MARTIAL BARGAIN

counter with the bramblc bushes that afternoon could not be re- moved through any amount ot magic. So when she bclatedly ao- peared at the dinner table to jon Morse, her aunt and Douglas, Ii was with an air Of sgnation- she dreaded explanations, but sa" no escape,
 She strove adroitly to keep the conversation in safe channels after the inevitable comment at her Inarred beauty from her aunt aud Morse's froWn. But her aunt wls rot to be constI aimed and demanded details.
 Realizing Il would only excite further suspicion if she did not comply. Anne sketchcd live'}. carefully edited account Of her al- venture in the woods, but made no mention of Glenn.
 When she had finished, Douglas, who was sitting immediately opp'- site. looked up. the knowing smile still curling his lips. But she hasn't told vol the most interesting part of the story" he declare l. "You'vc no idea what an excellent doctor she haJ:"
 There was moments silence. then. "Doctor-who's been having d doctor ," Mrs. Wilmot was tritie hard of hearing. but she had t2't the sudden acute tension in th" air
 Morse had glanced quickly at Anne whose eyes were fixed lip' waveringly on Douglas.
 Tt was the mcrest accident Douglas went on with every ap' pearance of ingenious good humor. his gaze meeting Annc's steadily. "I was out for few hours shoot ing this afternoon. and l stumb''i on the most romantic little seen" imaginable won't go into tt/ details. but - l must warn vol again. Miss Anne this with d friendly laillery, its dangcro"s flirting with the captain in the eEemys camp
 Without actually looking at hlm Anne saw the dark flush thdi mounted slowly in Morse's ta"c, saw her aunts sudden flash of coW- prchension and-cold anger, Dou5- las alone seemed placidly uncoH- .scious that he had said or do1" anything out Of the ordinary. H." went on eating his dinner quite aS if nothing had happened. Just A& the tension vas growing unboai- able. Jarvis murmured somcthlns 10 the master Of the house, and Morse left the room.
 Anne lifted her eyes 10 Dougla5, who vas still dcvotlug hlms@t sInilingIy 10 his dinner, and cor. sidercd him thouehnulIy for :" rather prolonged interval - her enemy had scored. Finally. she alkod casually - her rycbro" slightly olevated-"Wrre you quite through 2"
 He looked up and bowed as pro foundly as his sitting posture ad- nitted Of. Quite"
 At this juncture. Jarvis reap poared and approached the attoT- r.ey. Douglas also rose, excused himself with painstaking polit"n"ss and went towards the hying-room. Anne and her aunt were lett alone facing cacn other in terrible sort of silence, worse than aa> speech.
 Mrs. Wilmot was the first 10 speak. 'I bncW all alonG-if there vas another man within hundred miles -- you would ruin every thlng-"
 Anne merely bent her head without making any answer al "D After while. bcr aunt TO-. heavily. She looked mortaIl' stricken. Supporting horseif win one fist clcnchcd against the tab, edge, she added slowly and wl'l bitter incisivoncs~, "Nrry Wcli Iw through with you -- in tn, future. you can shift tor yoursclr,'
 Yes. 1ou rold me that botorr.' Anne said tonelosal,
 Well, I mean it," The ojdD. woman strurE her plump, "oi'c 1st cmphahcally against tN" 'ap' . You can get cut-~t never "nu' ;N zee or hear ot on again.
 But suppoae." Anne said E.- Hectivcly. 'sUpposa haven't luned everything
 Her aunts only ausvDr 10 that vas sardonrc gruut. Sno turn l and moved slowly towards the 1oo". vaDking with heavy, laborcd stc,..
 Anne watched until the douwe doors had swung 10 behind her at on for some moments chin lr palms, staring straight ahead e her at nothing. She got up at la. and went towards the Ijrug-roou.
 Just iusiic Ih4 door. she halts j. Morse and Douglas were comiu- out Of tIlc study with Eurhhal'>r and Tony, the Mexican, whom silc mad seen at the dancc. Anne gI'' them casual glance and turned slowly towards inc foot Of th stairs.
 She knew that Morse was Natcu- lhs her front under lowered ids. standing ~ith head bent, hanls -laspcd hHhmd his back. Tj' moment WAS electric with po-slblr ties 1T it paa7,d--
 As she started towards inc tr1 H.ght of stair. Morse s'lrrod. ll' rome forward abruptly. crosa"' over and stood just underneath 'h' landing T.. called h'r na'n'-l m q Icw tour
 "I wish 10 ~praN enb >"u. h. sad still in 4 tone IIrapt "ulN to' Ter c1rs. "fn uy study eff }"i dcnt mind