New Britain herald., 1930-08-08

and all the variegated splendor of the August border. They had evi- dently been thrown into basins and jugs pell-mell,. .and their scent made the atmosphere of the little room heavy with sweetness.
 Judy came into the room. while Alan stood at the window glover ing down into the street.
 Where is Chummy?" she asked.
 T expected to find her here" he answered. We said half past seven. I came straight here. l am little late"
 She won't be many minutes" Judy said carelessly. What a love- ly day We lad, What do you think of my room ?'
 "Where do all these flowers come ~from?" he asked abruptly.
 Pm sure l don't know"
 Nonsense, Judy. Tell me. are they from Giaeon?"
 T tell you I don't know: but l shouldn't be surprised. They come every few days. and there's no name. Only MT, Gideon hasn't any country house, and aren't they gar ! den flowers?"
 Some of them" said steyne roughly. Where is Gideon?" i Abroad somewhere-in France. where he goes to drink waters to 1 reduce his fat, I think" When did you last see him?"
 T haven't seen him since dear NJ. Guarvenius died" Judy answered. Didn't he try to see you?"
 He did, if you want to know; but I can't sec why you"
 "Oh, yes, Judy, you can see!" said Steyne recElessly. You know per fectly well that I'm madly jealous ot the brute,'
 T think it's very strange of you 1 to talk like that when you're going to be married in a day or two. Why do you want to spoil this nice day."
 Steyne turned and looked at her. : She wore little black dress all but 1 sleeveless, as was her wonted garb. Around her slender waist was a sash of fussy tulle. needing in a big bow at one ida. She was very pale. The floWerlike face, the bright hair, and the curl of the lips were more than Alan could stand.
 He had given her up-yes, he had given her up. once and for all, oil that night in his studio, when she had begged him not to make it so hard for her. and he was going to marry Clarissa Morley in q, day or two. But just now. at this moment in her flower scented room, after 2 day in Judy's company, drinking in ner presence, absorbing all her mad daning variety, he was not mastcr Of himself.
 Just once more-once more?
 He strode up to her and took her hands.
 Judy this is goodby," he said.
 Yes" she breathed, It is good by"
 You are making me do it. It's your fault. You insist on my mar rvlng CIarissa. You insist on my leaving you all alone in the world without any one to look after you"
 T C2n look after myself"
 "Perhaps; but I want you to know that it's your fault, your do- ! ing, Goodby, Judy"
 "Goodby,"
 She broathed faintly. Her palIor was shastly. She swayed toward him. and the next moment she was in his arms.
 Don't forget" he said fiercely, you are making me do this I love you and you love me. I don't love ! CIarissa. [ know I ought 10 tell her the truth. You won't let me. What ever happens, it's your fault"
 "Oh, don't-don't," she murmur- cd. on the point of collapse.
 Their lips met All the world Tas forgotten in that agonizing farewrlI.
 "Goodby, goodby,'
 "Goodby, Alan-oh, dear, dear love, eoodby,"
 Neither Of them noticed that the door was pushed open an inch or two. Alan did not know that he had left it ajlr; nor were they aware that Clariasa was standing there :" the doorwE her lovely face set into mask Of incredulous wonder, her go!dcn-brown eyes half closed, as If in an instinctivo effort not to see.
 Some five minutes later Clarissa Morley slowly reascended the stairs ? She had descended them swiftly and silently. and stood at the bottom like q grayen image, with her hands