New Britain herald., 1930-12-31


 her lirm hand upon my shoulder Us l sagged against the cushions of my t4yorltc chair in tho library. l had slumred into it the second Philip Nlritgens back had dLsap- peared into tur Httl, room where he had said he would wait TOT me. and lonprs heud,d fun.N that ] must have come near swoonInE. Mary voice nas the anxious one used in dealing with Il talating person, and Noals voice supplemented hers.
 '.Wha. taG do' Shall call ul -3,har.'
 The su--, -r:oD N4s like a spur, a-g 1 s,rl.-h-sn.d a my chair
 No" l sad. fo~auly. "l shall he .# w-n- in a minuc,. 1 aaut you both tu 20 OIL 9, aagn and try to krp aaE1re except Mrs. Beckett from oouIu- lu tor minute. Ask Lar quietly 10 con. 10 ms at once.'
 "Toure sur. l''- all right to leave you 44ou," Mary asked.
 Perfectly sure, but go quickly"
 My voice was explosive. though low. for l wished no hint Of my plight 70 reach Philip Vertzen i'll tho ne>, room, and they hurried away. II seemed aM eternity though less than a muute. whom Rather inc hurried into the room and clos d the door sottly behind her. Then at hvr first look at me, locked it.
 Madce Rallies Brayely
 steady ~he said, and. moving swiftly 10 q lsvarory opening from the library. where she keeps an emergency shelf ot remedies, she brought me back some drops which I recognized as d powerful stiu- ulant she keeps for my nother-In- laws occasional attacks and put them to my lips.
 Swallow this, then lean bacl, and keep perfectly still until I tell you you ran sneak" she said. Shut your eyes.'
 I obeled her, feeling her steady fingers upon my pulse but il was not unul several minutes after I felt the rousjng effects Of the stim- u.ant. that she took her fingers from my pulse and spoke.
 You may open your eyes now" she sad. "vhile I think out how I can get you upstairs without this mob outside catching si1ht Of you'
 l put out my hand and caught hers.
 But I cant leave now. Kath- erine," I said. Its out ot the ques- ton. There is something 1 must do. Tomorrow I'll do whatever you wish-ooey you implicitly"
 Yes, l think you will." she said, and there Was souething in her eyes, Was lt possible that she--hut she was speaking again, imperative ly, and l listened. with rising panic.
 And youil obey me tonight. 100, she said. Pm not going 10 be re- sponsib!o for
 You won't be- I clutched her hand trantically, Katherine, Lis ten! Haven't I always obeyed au your professional edicts unquestiou- ingly""
 Yes; and you'er gong to keep on obeylng.'
 Not now,' I spraug 70 my feet. desperation giving me strength" I promise you. dear. that when have greeted my guests and attended to something 1 have promised 10 do, l will turn over the hostess job to Lillian and 20 upstairs with you, and stay there--that Is, Ii you still think 1t wise for me But not for you or anybody can I go now"
 She put her fingers on my pulses again, then looked at me search ingly.
 Al right" she said. Needs must suppose. But when you've dealt with the particular dsyil who's driving you, lat me know, it you're able to send na.sage. Now fix up your hair q bit and bets get out of here. They'll be swarmIng all over the place in another minute or two"
 l did as she advised, and a min ute later, having, by good luck. crossed the hall unobs+rred, I Was in the living room greeting the merry party from The Larchcs. I took particular care to speak 10 each one of tho group of young peo- ple, who. respluulrnt iu dinner coats and evening gowns. mad. q b.au.i- fII picture of Inc cr.r-r., -deeE.d rooms. 1 spent -,..rai m..;t.e vitl Helena BuTror- "hosa ...- kept searching tn- roou--l -.,~~-ed for the appearance ot Mr. Narl.l.a. and went doWH 10 the basement and warned DicNy and Harry that they both could not stay down in the playroon that they must take turns until Junior and Roderick went to bed, in coming upstaIrs and enter taining the guests.
 "Au right. I'll take the first beat" DIcky said, slipping his hand through mine and rushing me up the stairs. 1 was q bit dismayed, for l was not sure how could get away for more than d minute or two without his inqirira for me. unless. indeed, l used a direct talsehood. But 10 my relief Helena HriAtol hailed him as soon as Wy reached the stars.
 This Is never allowed, sine said gaiIy-"talkmg to your own wife, Let me have him? She laughed impudently al me.
 With pleasure" l returned as lightly making d little face at Dicky. Then 1 went straight to Lillian and Katherine, drew them out Of earshot Of the crowd and tol1 them of what Philip Veritzen had promised Noel and Mary,
 That's the reason then" Lillian commented, that they look as if they had just 9scended into the seventh heaven. But-you witch. However did you do it? Oh. You don't need +o deny if. There's mo-