New Britain herald., 1930-10-28

who has been splendid. What troubling you?"
 Hallie had sighed and winced un- der the unconscious stab.
 Well, if you've some reason fo, rot wanting to be chaperoned by Nurse Casey he went on, ''I can produce someone else, at pinch The difficulty is that, as well a. Icing blind, I'm really homeless This place is my brothers and th+ money that keeps it going is his When he marries, all 1 shall have E about three thousand a year. l ha bigger income before I went out on my last African trip. Like a fool, I invested some capital in ivory and lost it all"
 Twice thunder had rolled an crashed about them.
 She followed him into the arbol and placed herself beside him.
 Your brother may not marry for some years" she veutured. She was not too certain whether she was supposed to have met Lester before.
 'Lester's plans aren't definite yet" he said at length. T wanted him to be here this afternoon, when you came. but he had to go in town. :. l asked him to tell me what you were like, Rose. l said you ouldn't mind
 "Of course I don't mind" But fear stirred in her. Would Lester stand close contact with her Whill she played this role?
 Outside the rain-storm broke.
 My dearest" he had got his pipe going after much fumbling- "my dearest. . But it isn't pos sibe. We cant marry, Rose.'
 DO you believe in signs and tokens?' she demanded.
 Yes. No. I cant say
 That is what l always feel. But something has happened that makes me very sure that l-belong to you, You remember that I told you l didn't know my real identity?'
 Yes"
 Well, today I made inquiries and l was told who I am. My father was called Conaldine."
 Grannock drew at his pipe.
 "Conaldine," he repeated,
 Apparently he was at one time suspected for murder
 "Oh, yes. l remember. But h. wasn't found. You are no. obliged to accept his name, l tak2 it" Why not continue-
 q haven't come to the important part" broke in Hallie. She did no: want. if she could help it, to have to invent another explanation of herself and Aunt Marietta. DO you know what my first name is?
 Ut will always be Rose, to me-
 Tt is Rose"
 Grannock's hands found hers.
 "Queer," he muttcrcd.
 You don't really think it $ queer" Hallie told him. You think, as I do, that 1t is strange and won- derful. It is an omen. Put out ycur hand, SaXcly." She took the ivory rose from where it lay be- tween the folds of her pale red dress and laid it in his palm. "lt hasn't left me since you gave it to me by the sea. 1 have brought it back to you and you mustn't let
 "I cant possibly marry you,' he insisted.
 You're sending me away"
 Tt is obvious that l must
 He was standing over her. She put up her hands and drew him down to her.
 "No,' she said. "Oh. no. It is useless. You cant turn me away. If you order your servants to loc@ the doors against me, l shall com" il. by a window. My life is yours cant explain why. Just take if. Ask nothing
 She put her lips against his. As she leaned against his shoulder, his arms came around her ana she felt his kisses. ..
 q can hear somebody on the drive" said Grannock, twenty min utes later.
 "It's telegraph boy,' said Hallie, standing at the arbor en- trance. DO you think it might ba for you? The rain has stopped. I'll see"
 The telegram was for Grannock. With it in her hand, Hallio walked lack to the arbor.
 "I think it is from my brother Grannock said. "T told you Lester had to go in town. He's on q sort of hard errdn1 - at least, think it's hard. But I also think it has got to be done"
 What err1ud is it. dea1?'
 He - it appears thatt his Nurse Isllesmore has q claim on him. He admitted it himself. She feels he ought 10 offer her marriage and he has gone to New York to tind her.
 "I feel sure he is mistaken. Sh( went marry him.
 Would you mind opening tho wire and seeing what he says"
 With Grannock's heart beating a-ainst hers, shr opened if, reac it-and read it again
 Have seen Miss Iillcsmorc Wt siall be married almcst immediate l,-Lcster.'