New Britain herald., 1930-07-21

seemed to deprive her of speech. Yet she couldn't see anything very dreadful in what shed told him already. The worst part was to come that telephone call last night
 As for the rest, she couldn't see that crooks were much different than anyone else. Until recently she had been rather proud of her association. with "Gentleman Fred dy"
 Brynmor had a sinking sensation. Several times before he had sus- pected that Freddy Mason wasn't ou the level. vet the truth shocked him profoundly. And Clarice it wasn't possible to believe that she had been mixed up with. him.
 Obsessed by q sudden idea. he stammered. That right-the rob- bery at the Emerald Draeon?"
 She nodded, and her lips quiv- cred. Brynmor felt his head reel. This was awful, He had expected something unpleasant but nothing like this Clarice a thief. It was Unthinkable.
 Yes, l helped Freddy in that she admitted, more calmly now. T couldn't avoid doing so, Be sides I didn't know that you meant 10 marry me-then. Ever since we've been engaged I haven't. done q thing you might be ashamed Of. I-I love you. Bryn. I've always wanted to marry a chap like you, clean, decent. straight-''
 Her voice cracked. For once, the tears on her cheeks were real. She wasn't shamming any longer, and she realized suddenly that she hated sham Yet what lot of it had been in her life!
 She was glad, however, that she had told Brynmor. It was q dis tinct relief to her. Whatever hap pened as result. she was glad that her cards, for once, were face up on the table.
 Still there was. silence. Mason seemed to be enjoying it. She nut tered again, half to her self, ,'I do love you, Bryn." And she knew t was true,
 Brynmor stared down at the pat tern in the rug. There was per- plexity written on, his face. He seemed to be in a daze.
 There's something more, too" C}arlce choked The worst was 10 come. After that. she f-lt that nothing could save her. Last night Freddy came in and u.c talked Then. later, after he had gone-'
 Leave that part to me, Clary,' Mason broke in He was smiling triumphantly. "Tu explain the rest. You look all tired out.
 You see. Whittamore, last night Clary told me that she couldn't pos sibly go through with the wedding without first telling you about her connection with me. I argued with her. and told her not 10 be such a fool l urged her 10 go ahead anl marry you. and leave this matter unmentioned. Then I wished her good luck, but she wouldn't agree to my plan.
 She insisted that you must know it all So I promised her 10 come here tonight and support her story while she told you.' That's it. isn't it, dear?"
 IL was obvious that Mason was lying. but Brynmor felt too weak 10 do anything about it. He buried his face in his hands
 For q moment Clarice stared at him, Then she collapsed, threw herself on the couch, and her whole body was wracked by long shud- Cering sobs.
 When she did glance up. after q few minutes, Brynmor was stand ing beside her, staring down at her. His face was wooden and eXpra5- sionless. She clanched her hands about the cushion, then rose 10 her feet abruptly.
 GO away. Bryr. please" she pleaded. For my sake, please go,'
 Brynmor put his hands to his head. Life in the past had beel easy for him - too easy. Now It was anything but easy. He reai- ized. with Q strange sense of self loathing, that he hadn't really loved Clarice nearly so much as he had imagined.
 As a matter of fact, Brynmor's thoughts weren't concentrated on Clarice at the moment. He was thinking especially of hls father. of his fathers name which was his name, of Whittamore family pride and family tradition.
 If cnly knew what 10 do-" he blulted out.
 C.arica knew she had lost. She tried vainIy to smile.
 Don't worry about it, Bryn. I guess I've known all along tha. it was only infatuation. But I didn't care-thea."
 He didn't have to heart 10 re- assure her. Perhaps she was right. Just now Brynmor wasn't sure Of anything.
 Please go," Clarice whispered. And don't-ever come back"
 He stumbled 10 the door, and