New Britain herald., 1930-07-08


 That meant that Alan might have seen her too. And he had certainly been acting very strangely.
 Alan was startled when she cried, before Godfrey had framed q suitable answer to his question: Alan, have you seen Natalie?"
 "Why, yes,' he said.
 T thought so," she flashed at him. This is all a cooked ID scheme to get me out Of the pie ture."
 Both men stared at her in amaze ment, and both were silent.
 A fine pair of he men" she sneered at them. You" she di- rected her attack toward Godfrey, You fixed it up in Alan's office, and then telephoned me. You found out they would Ike to make up, so you arranged this little sur prise to accuse me so that I wouldn't be able to sue Alan for breach of promise.'
 She Nhirled now upon Alan. "So that's why you told me you were going to adopt that Lamont brat! You thought I'd object and wed quarrel about it. But that didn't work, SO you try this. Oh, I see why you wouldn't leave-why you insisted upon staying here to maEe A1r. Norman 'apologize.'" She laughed crazll. What a bluff"
 "Phillipa."
 Don't 'Phillipa' me, Alan Con verse You'ra worm, and you hrow it. Why didn't you break of with me long ago? You wanted to, you know you did, but you didn't have the courage.'
 Yes. l did want to-" Alan flung hack at her, stung into forgetting Gsotfreys presence. but it wasn't cowardice that stopped me. It WIS chtvalry, if you want to kno@. Funny. isn't it, in this day and are? But you didn't take any par ticular pains to conceal the fact that you might have married GeoS- fey and his millions. You let me know too, that you were out with your family on my account. Well, I might be tool, but I'm not eX- actly cad
 He ended lamely, remembering that Godfrey was q listener to what he had to say. He looked at his friend, somewhat abashed. q dent think Phillipa tempered with the letter" he said. You shouldn't believe if, Geof, if you love her. And she dossn't care q hang for me. I'm sure. She just felt sorry for me. ."
 You needn't try 10 throw me n his arms Phillipa burst in, aar face red with modification.
 Godfrey ignored her. Sorry, but I have no intention of proposing 10 the young lady" he said icily. and I'm sure, not aware of ever having entertained any such idea
 "Oh, rub t in" Phillipa blazed. losing her respect for refinement, but saving enough of her self-cor- trol 10 make an effort to put half-decent face on her conduct.
 "Yes, let Alan believe I re- fused you," she went on but don't think I encouraged you. Geoffrey Norman, because I wanted to marry you. Why you're bigger sap than Alan. I wouldn't have you. Tn love with married woman. and 100 much Of 3, rabbit to take her. Oh, I know. I've seen it you're mad about Natalie Converse. and shes twisting you around her little finger, making you be- licve
 That's enough" Godfrey cut n. T know what 10 believe about Mrs. Converse"
 Phillipa turned 10 Alan, her sud den laughter mounting hystericaI- ly. You're pair Of fools she informed him. But you're a big ger fool than Geoffrey. He at least knows that two and two make four. You thought you were falling for a simple minded little girl fwho hadn't a thought in her head but to sympathiza with you. He had more sense than that,'
 Alan looked at Godfrey inquiring- F.. Yes" the latter said. T had, old man. But now that Miss West has admitted so much. I'll admit that I had the advantage Of you. I knew her for a scheming little rascal of some kind.' He paused and appeared 10 want 10 say soma- thing more, but was, evidently, not going to say il.
 Go ahead,' PhLlira urged him wildly. Tell him you could guess that I Ranted 10 marry q man with . money because I tired ro get you