The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-04-17
NOW Go oN WITH TnE sToRY
cHAprMR xxIII

Upstairs, securely locked away in the lowest dresser drawer fin Gypsy's bedroom, there was package of letters tied with cord. They were addressed in the same bold hand writing as the envelope in her hand. Tho difference was that thIs letter had been directed to Mrs James Wallace"
 For ono long moment Gypsy's heart seemed to cease beating Then 1t began to pound tumultuo,isly.
 There were the familiar initials, "A. R. C." in the icft-hand corner. There was the same funny little curiey-cue Alan always made when he wrote a capital M" Gypsy turned the letter over, noting the New York pogtmark. Slowly she went back into the house.
 She dropped the other letters on q table in the hall and climbed the flight to her bedroom. Inside the room she closed tho door behind her and sank to tho edge of the bed.
 After all these days 1t had come! All this while. Gypsy suddenly real fzed, she had been praying for this letter. It was as though she had suddenly awakened from q long nightmare.
 She hold upI the envelope and started to tear one end open. Some- thing made her hesitate. Mrs James Wallace"-she read the name over again, Mrs James Wallace"
 "Alan!" the girl sobbed convul- sively. "Oh, Alan--l" She flung herself face down against the pil- lows, and tears came unchecked. They dampened one corner of the letter to which she clung tightly. They were hot tears, wrenched forth with great shaking sobs. Allan, l want you--1 want you!" the girl moAned. "oh, what am to do?"
 Presently she sat up, groping for a handkerchief to dry her red and swollen eyes. She still held the let- ter unopened.
 One part of her ycarned feverish- ly to read what Alan had written. The other part--it was fear--cnu- toned Don't do 1t! You'll be sor- ty." Gypsy held tho envelope and stared ct 1t.
 Yes. of course she must open it! There were a thousand things that could have happened since she left New York. Alan might be needing her.
 Gypsy jumped up and crossed the room. You're Jim Wallace's wife," she told herself. You mar rIed him to get away from all this. Alan Crosby doesn't love you. He never did love you. Open that letter and you'll regret it What if he should say he's sorry now? What can you do about 1t? It's too iate!"
 She heard n knock at the door. Gypsy stood motionletB After a moment she called out:
 Who is itY"
 Matilda answered in her heavy accent. Its Miss Christopher. Ma'am. She's downstairs waiting She said you was expecting her"
 "Teli her I'll come in Il few min utes." Gypsy directed. She was still wearing the suit coat and hat she had put on to go tout marketlnE Gypsy tossed aside the hat. fiuffed out her hair md went to the bath room to dash cold water on her eyes. She could not entirely conceal the swollen lids but powder was help tni.
 The last thing she did before leav- ing the room was to drop Alan's letter. into the desk drawer She gave t wlstful glancc. then hurried down the stairs.
 MISS Chflbt0pHeF WaH htsnuef Hha trim and gray-haircd. She sat in n straight -backed chair and as Gypsy entered the living room she arose smiling.
 How do you do. Mrs Wallace" ahe said. "t hope I'm not too early. I've Just been adnliring the lines of that fireplace. You know we're go- Ing to make this into n beautiful room!"
 Good morning. 1 hope you'll ex- cuge me for keeping you waiting. ' Gypsys smile was mechanical.
 Miss Christopher opened her handbag md took out bits of dark coiored cloth. "Of course | under stand you're busy" she said. Now here are the samples and l do think this mulberry is lovely. If you prefer n lighter shade I'd recom- mend the buff. You could have the