New Britain herald., 1930-07-03

tulHS through NHdI SHe QlQ 10 Rernadine,"
 Bernadine's gradual, but steady sinking turned his heart 10 stone against Natalie. Whenever he look eG at the sick woman's sunkcn cheeks and deeply recessed eyes, he felt a new wave Of anger come over him.
 For Bernadine had never left her bed after Dr. WagnaI had said she must stay there unti! he gave her permission 10 get up. TO the medical man, the end was coming about as he expected. but Alan could not escape the belief Bernadine had suffered a shock through Natalie's act from which she could not recover.
 Had pr. Wagnall, or Bernadine either, guessed what was on his mind, they could have told him he was wrong - that what was happening had been inevitable for long time.
 But Alan kept his bitterness to himself. and stroye to be cheerful when in Bernadine's company. H. thought he was making her believe he was happy, but when she closed her eyes, 10 rest, as he imagined, it was because she could not bear 10 see the hidd an pain that lay in his.
 Her heart achcd for him b2- ! cause he had lost the woman she was certain he loved, but she did not guess he was constantly burn 1 ing his memories of Natalie on a pyre of hatred
 He never talked 10 her Of Nata- lie, or of Phillipa either. Only Rernadines almost supernatural perception enabled her 10 see that he was suffering Once he had come close 10 telling her about phillipa - with 2 vague idea that they ought 10 meet and discuss Bobby's future welfare together. Put in his sensitiyoness he shranE from bringing such a suggestion of the end 10 Bernadine.
 He decided # would be best no+ to speak of Fhllipa, Perhaps t would worry Barnadine 10 know that there was already a girl chosen to be Bobbys foster~ mother. For Alan had come 10 accept PhIlhpa as q fixture in his life with equaaimity.
 He was rather glad of her. She aGorod Bobby. Her disappoint- mcnt because Bcrnadino would rot allow The little boy to leave the house -uhllipa wanted Alan 10 bring him down 10 the office - { touched Alan.
 PhiHipas disappointment was real enough -thcre were so many things that Bobby, while enjoying d big dish oc ice cream. might have told her. Things that she didn't Ike to ask Alan directly. And there was no other way Of finding them out, for Alan was naddcningly reserved these days,
 She wanted to know, for in- stance just how ill Rernadiae was. Sho could have asked Bobby how many times a day the doctor came 10 sea his mother, and weighed the answer for herself. She could have asked him if any hcdv had talked 10 him aboIt going away 70 q srhool-a plan that Alan told hcr had been suS- -ested in the event Of his mothers dying
 But Alan did not say that thu plan had been suggested by th" nurse, Nellie, who was fearful that Nan's guardianship of the hoy would inean that she woull lose the child entirely if he were taken into AIan's home. She kncw her shortcomings. Nellie did, anI she had very earnest conviction she would not he engaged 10 look after Bobby when sterncr mis- tross than Rernadine was doing the engaging. She had in mind il professional housekecper, and they were worse than the wives. to Nellie
 sho could at least, she figured visit Bobby once in q while # he were in school Alan had not seriously considered the plan. but he had spoken Of it 10 PhHiipa without giving his opinion on tha subject, and she had fed herself with thc hope that t might ho carried out. To have q kid Ih" Bobby around inc house would drive her wild she declared Tn secret,