The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-07

any whispers that passed between Ralph and Nita. Penny accuses Spraguc of the murder, but the case is stronger against Ralph. LYDIA, the maid, who was horribly burned by Nita and to whom Nita left all her money, including mysterious $1O,OOO which Dundee thinks is blackmaiI, is practically cleared of suspicion. The evidence against Ralph hasn't been made public yet, as tho papers all carry CAPTAIN STRAWN'S theory that a New York gunInan killed her. Penny goes to answer the telephone, and returns, mortified, and tells Dundee that Ralph has just called and he doesn't even know Nita is dead.
 NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 CHAPTER xxvI.
 "Of course I recognized his voice instantly when he said That you, Penny?' and it's a wonder to me didn't scream" said Penny Grain, fighting her way up through dazed bewilderment to explain in detail, in answer to Dundee's pelting ques- tons q said, Of course, Ralph. .. Where have you been? |. And he said, in that coaxing, teas ing voice of his that I know so we'll: 'Peeved, Penny? don't blame you. honey. You really ought not to let me come over and ex- plain why stood you up last night, but you will. won't you? Ni- ze Penny!' :. That's exactly how he talked, Bonnie Dundee! Exactly! Oh. don't you see he couldn't know that Nita was dead?"
 "Did you ask him where he was?" Dundee asked finally.
 "No. I just told him to come on over, and he said I could depend on it that he wouldn't waste any time. {. Oh. Bonnie! What shall we do?"
 'Listen. Penny!" Dundee urged rapidly. You must realize that I've got to see and hear, but don't want Ralph Hammond to see me until after he's had talk with behind these portieres? :. . . know it's beastly thing to do, but"
 Penny agreed at last, and within 10 minutes after that amazing tele- phone call Dundee, from behind the portieres that separated the dining and living rooms. heard Penny greeting her visitor in the little foyer. She had played fair; had not gone out into the hall to whisper g. warning-if any warn- ing was needed.
 He had seen Ralph Hammond enter the dining room of the Stuart House the day before. in company with Give Hammond and Polly Beale, when the three had been strangers to him; but Dundee told himself now that he would hardly have recognized the young man whom Penny was preceding into her living room. The Ralph Ham, mond of Saturday had had white drawn face and sick eyes. But this
 Like his older brother, Give. Ralph Hammond had dark-red curling hair. But unlike his broth CTS, his eyes were wide. candid hazel-the green iris thickly flecked with brown. A little short CT than Give, a trifle more slender But that which held the detectives eyes was something less tangible but at once more evident than superla- tive masculine good looks. It was sort of shy joyousness and buoy ance which flushed the tan of his cheeks, sang in his voice. made his eyes almost unbearably bright.
 Before Penny Grain, very pale and quiet, could sink into the chaii she was groping toward, Ralpr Hammond was at her side. one arm going out to encircle her shoulders Don't look like that, Penny! Dundee heard him plead, his voice suddenly humble. You've every right to be sore at me. honey, but please don't be. 1 know I've beer an awful cad these last few weeks but I'm myself again. I'm cured now. Penny"
 Wait, Ralph!" Penny protested faintly, holding back as he would have hugged her hard against his breast. What about-Nita
 Dundee saw the young mans race go darkly red, but heard his boyisi voice answer almost steadily: q hoped you'd understand without making me put it into words honey. I'm cured of-Nita. can't express it any other way ex' cept to say I was sick, and no" I'm cured"
 "You mean" - Penny faltered but with a swift. imploring glance toward Dundee-"you don't love Nita any more? You can't deny you were terribly in love with her Ralph. Lois told us-told me last night that Nita had told her IT strictest confidence that she hat promised to marry you. just Thurs day night"
 The boys face was very pale al he dropped his hands from Penny. shoulders, but Dundee. from behind the portieres. was not troubling tt spy for the moment. He was too indignant at Penny for having withheld from him the vital fact ol Nita's engagement to Ralph Ham mond.
 "That's true, Penny" Ralph wal saying duly. You have righ to know, because I'm asking you tt marry me now. did propose to Nita again Thursday night, ant she did accept me. I confess now I was wild with happiness"
 "Why did she refuse you before!' Penny cut in, and Dundee silentl! thanked her for asking the ques ton he would have liked to asl himself. "Was it because sh' wasn't sure she was in love witf your"
 "You're making 1t awfully hart for me, honey" the boy protested then admitted humbly. "Of course you want to know. and you should know. No. she said all along almost from the first. that sh' loved me more than I could lov' her, but that there were-reasons .. Two reasons. she always said and once 1 asked her jealously II they were both men. but she looked so startled and then laughed st queerly that didn't ask again.. Then thought 1t might be because l was younger than she was though can't believe she Is mor'