The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-26

his shoulder. commented upon tn, last sentence of the letter. 'ls Miss Hart appearing in { play now?" Dundee asked. NO, but she's rehearsing in ont -'Temptation'-w will open a the Warburton theater next Monda, night the secretary answered. "At
 commencement Tuesday night, Se
 rena told Miss Pendleton how aw- fully sorry she was about Nita. and , gave me tickets for the opening You go to see her, but don't tell her l told you anything. l know she's rehearsing at the the ater this afternoon, because she said she would be all week, and couldn', go to the boat to see Miss PendIe-
 ton and Miss Macon off for Flu rope"
 T will" Dundee accepted the suggestion gratefully. as if it had
 not occurred to him. But first
 want you to come out to lunch witt
 me. I'm sure you know of some
 nice tearoom or roadhouse in the neighbOrhood."
 During the luncheon, which Miss Earle devoured avidly, without its interfering with her flow of reminis- cences concerning the girls she hated, Dundee was able to learn
 nothing more to- the detriment of Forsyte's Hamilton alumnae, but he did add considerably to his knowl- edge and pity of female human na- ture.
 It was nearly o'clock when he presented his card, with a message doorkeeper who drowsed in the alley which led to the stage entrance of the Warburton theater, just off Broadway near Times square, and l5 minutes later he was being re- | ceived in the stars dressing room by Serena Hart herself.
 "You're working on poor Nita's murder?" she began without pre- amble, as she seated herself at her dressing table and indicated a de-
 crepit chair for the detective. q was wondering how much longer could keep out of it Of course foolish Gladys Earle. Why girls who look like that are always called Gladys God! I'm tired
 We've been at it since 10 this morn ing, but thank the Lord we're through now for the day"
 Dundee studied her with keen in terest, and decided that, almost plain though she was, she was even more magnetic than when seen from the footlights. . Rather care lessly dressed, long brown hair rath- CT tousled. her face very pale and haggard without the makeup which would give it radiance on Monday night. Serena Hart was yet one of the most attractive women Dundee had ever met-and one of the kind est, he felt suddenly sure When did l first meet Nita Leigh?" she repeated his question. Let me think-Oh. yes! The first year after l went on the stage 1917 We were in the chorus to- gether in Teasing Tilly'-a rotten show, by the way. The other girls of the chorus were awfully snooty to me, because 1 was that anathema, a society girl but Nita was a dar- ling. She showed me the ropes, and We became quite intimate-around parents kept on awfully strict eye on me. The show was a great hit ran on into 1918. till February or March, 1 believe
 Then do you know, Miss Hart. whether Nita got married during the winter?" Dundee asked. "Why, yes, she did!" Serena Hart answered. her brow clearing after a frown of concentration. 1T cant remember exactly when, but it was before the show closed-certainly a few weeks before, because the pool child was a deserted bride days be- fore the closing notice was posted
 Deserted" Dundee exclaimed. Did you meet her husband, Miss Hart? ?"
 (To Be Continued.)