New Britain herald., 1930-07-02
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seen her through the windows, wait ing for him, and had rung to have her come rushing to let him in ami give back the deluge of kisses he had been saving up for her all day.
 The shades were down tonight. She thought that might be why he rang again, so imperatively. She smiled. He must be impatient to he admitted, she thought, jumping up and hurrying out into the hall, forgetting the weariness of her flesh,
 Alan's face. when she opened the door, shocked her. She drew back, the doorknob still srasped in her nager fingers, and stepped aside 10 let him enter.
 He came in, without word Of greeting. They stared at each other speechlessly. Ethel had left bright light in the hall, neglect ing to turn # out as Natalie hal asked her 10 do The girl left burning many lights that she was asked to turn out. Because, as she said in her most frequent remark t0 the neighboring servants, the house gave her the "willies, all dark and deserted like"
 Natalie was thankful for the light now. It showed her Alan's be lcved tace clearly. Something ter rihle was the matter, she perceived, hut such was her joy in seeing him that she was glad 10 welcome him even though he had come in anger.
 There's fire in the living room" she said throacily. Its coll, isn't ito'
 No" said Alan, annoyed that she greeted him with q common place expression. He felt that only words of vital meaning could serve them now.
 She closed inc door, as he stroie toward the living room, and fol- lcwed him with ever qulckening steps. Inside the softly lighted, rather too warm room, he turned and faced her. He was too bitter 10 see that she was ill,
 q didn't come 10 discuss the weather with you.' he said with cruel deHberaIon.
 Natalie saw that his lips were curled into thin lines over his fine white teeth. but she could not guess how fierce was the scorn that shaped them so.
 She stared at him, helpless. She had never soen him like this be- fore. His expression. the lnlmical hardness of his eyes. terrified her. No state of anger she had ever imagined him in had prepared her for this.
 She put out a hand as though 70 defend herself To Alan il was as though she understood that she had been found out; her gesture was to him an expression Of her c4lt Defense before accusation; it was enough
 "Well' he said curtly, brutauy, Nvhy did you do it2
 CHAPTER NL
 Natala's lips stffly framed the ireyitable question. Do what. Alan 2"
 He answered with sheer; Tes. l suppose I may expect you to try and bluff II ou."
 His laughing brown eyes vr.re nov like dark agate, glint.aG ccldIy q her
 "I am not bluffing, Alan" she said simply; you will have to tell ma what you mean
 Alan laughed. shortly con tcmptuously Going 10 see II through along that line. are vol? Innocence accused. Very well, that, lets bring it out i7 the open and see what comes Of T. mem why did you change the name Of th4 stock in that letter."
 Natalie stared :, him uncom- prehendnglT Had h. been even q little less :nflamcd with anear, he could have judged her expros- sion with enough accuracy 10 know she was not stimulating :,. Az it vas, he thought she had made un her mind 10 carry her bluff to the end and he reacted by . becoming more infuriatad
 why don't you deny I'?" he demanded f,orc-lv as her gaze re-