New Britain herald., 1930-07-02

fascinated.
 Natalie merely shook her head. She was beginning to be afraid of him.
 What kind of woman are you, anyway" he raved. Jealous. Jealous Jealous Beastly jeal- ous. And yol had to pick on a woman who has never done you bit of harm. A woman who is sick, the sole support of kid whose father died to make the country safe for people like you so you can cheat and rob his widow"
 His wild words beat on her ears like blows, and the hollow, bitter, | laughter that followed them was like an echo of some faraway sound. His denunciation number her with it's shocking violence. Could this be Alan torturing her so? She scarcely could think Alan's eyes were black she had never seen them black before. And that red light - oh, perhaps they were h1oodshot He must be ill, Something dreadful was the mat ter with him.
 Letter? Letter? Letter? Why was he talking about a letter? The word. tormentlng her brain, l escaped from her lips in a weak utterance.
 That's rigat, Bernadine's let ter' Alan thrust at her. "Come on tell me, why did you do it." i He advanced toward her, his lips twisting Tn his passion of tem- per, Natalie shrank back from hm, visiblT frightened.
 You deserve it." he snarlod T ought to choke Nou, but I've got to save my hands for cleaner work. I've got 10 work, do you understand, and make up for your mischief"
 His bloodshot eyes bored threat eIingly into her own feverish ores, but his half-raised hands dropped to his sides.
 Natalie's face, aside from her burning eyes, seemed dead. It was white and set. her lips frozen against any words ,hat might have come 10 them. But there was noth- ing she wanted 10 say and yet 4 thousand thoughts were on parade in her azonized mind.
 You haven't any defense, have you?" he tauntod her. Not a thing 10 say. God, I couldn't stand to hear you deny it, I've had enough Of your saintliness that covers the cheapest kind of soul. But if you think you've a chance to hide under silence, just listen. I know what you dIG. all right
 You came into my office when I was out and got hold of Mrs. Lamonts letter. l. gave you your chance. You saw what you coull dc. but Here's where you made your big mistake. You thought you would cause her to lose a pretty penny, hut you're wrong. It's me you've damned near ruined ."
 He swept lis arms in circle tc indiLate the room. Ali this" he said savagely. Background, That's what you call 1t. But to me it's my earnings, Oh. yes. l Could always make more-you knew that-it WAS never hard fO- me to make money. But what's become of it? We've saved precious little And now, now I've got to make good what you tued 10 steal from Bernadme. Yol hrOw what that means, don't you-,
 Natalie continued to stare stricken1y at his ferociously con- tortcd mouth and reddened eyes. Her attitude drove him frantic.
 Why don't you say some- thnE?" he yelled at her, unmin1- ful of the inconsistency he was showing
 Stin she did not speak, though her head moved little in pitt ful. stdewise motion and the numhness partially left her blood less lips.
 so" he raved on. "becausc you fiendish1y substituted a rotten stock for q good one in that let,e" I've lost q small fortune.' 4 grim laugh burst from his dry lips. "It wasn't so clever, vas fl, foreo-- t'n~ that I have 2 sense of honor even if you haven't? But the work vas damned clever, III grant you that"
 1t seemed now to Natalie that sine must speak, must stop him, even thorgh she had to answer blindly For she only partly understood the nature Of tar charge he was bringing again. her.
 Don't, don'-, don't" she cried