New Britain herald., 1930-06-26

he had lot to forgive. Maybe he was only making 1t hard for her to teach her a lesson.
 They went to the living room when they left the table, and Natalie served the coffee there, She sat on an ottoman beside low tray-table, and poured the clear black liquid with infinite grace.
 Her hand shook as she passed up cup 10 Alan. Quickly she averted her eyes.
 Natalie, Natalie, Natalie" His heart yearned for her. He could not escape the knowledge that this was a welcome home feast. From the open door to the clasp of her hand-it was all there-heaven it. self And he dared not enter.
 Good God, how could he have been such q fool as 10 get himself en- tangled with another woman? He drank the coffee in one gulp. and then handed back the cup to Natalie. She took il and refilled it, half blinded by tears. Then she | forgot to give it to him, and it stayed on the tray
 They sat in silence moment. 1 She reached out her hand. Alan" Let's not be like this Oh, you love me. don't you?"
 Love you? My God. Natalie" 1 She was surprised that he buried ! his face in his hands instead of taking her in his arms. 4 cold chill crept around her heart. Was there something between them that .. 1 that
 Intuitiyely she cried out: Alan, ! darling 1 don't care what you've done if only you love me enough 10 { forgive me"
 Alan sat still as stone, unanswer- ing. Natalie chung to him a mo ment. then drew away. Her eyes were wells of torture.
 He did not love her. He did not love her.
 Alan knew what she was thinking. But he saw no good in trying to tell her the truth. It was unthinkabic that he could have imagined he was in love with another woman. But he had imagined it. and if he told Natalie about it, he knew she would not believe that it had been only imagination unless it ended.
 And f was not ended. He had asked PhiIlipa to marry him. He dared not trust himself to let go with Natalie while Phillipa was on his i conscienca. Perhaps she would re- lease him. There, at least, was a lay of hope
 ! He got 10 his feet. Natalie made . no motion to stop him He turned
 to her.
 May I come back tomorrow uight?" he asked,
 Natalie stared at him in astonish-
 ment. but she said nothing, only
 rodding in assent, determined to the
 last that pride should not again be-
 tray her.
 They did not say good night.
 Both were too miserable for further
 words.
 Natalie sat d long time on the
 ottoman. leaning against the chair
 that Alan had occupied. Her
 thoughts were at first confused,
 chaotic even. but gradually certain conclusions became definite.
 There was a barrier betwsn hor and Alan. Her natural reaction was . 8 jealous one. but she sought nobly , - suppress it. She had told him nothing mattered If he loved her Ah. but did he?
 5 And why did he leave? Why diG } h. ask to come back? Why couldn't they have settled everything now? These were questions she had tC try 10 answer for Florence as wei as for herself when her sister cam, : home and found her starkly whit'
 and still in Alau's chair, her eyes boring blankIy into the candle. l lighted dimness Of the room. } Well, I'll take the count" Flor ' encc said under her breath. instant.
 y blaming her sister for whatever
 had happened. Nonetheless he [ heart hled for Natalie. :. But when Natalie had told her al [ she knew and thought, Florence Wa! l furious. She hid 1t well iron [ Natalie, however. is she sat at he 2 sisters feet patting her hands. l She asked innumerable questions . most of which Natalie was unable tt
 answer She was Eeener thai l Natalie in affairs Of the heart-ho C generation. while only a few year Q younger than Natalie's, being muci O farther removed from inhibitons 0 .. speech. She guessed very closely | - the truth about Alan. l. But try and get him" sh r thought chaIlongingly of the un C known woman in the case. I'd lik n to make her q bet that Natalie vii