The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-06-24

tors ofIice.
 Monnie is disturbed because
 Charles, hitherto one of her best friends seems cool toward her.
 Unhappy and unsettled, she de. cides to marry ARTHUR MAC. KENZIE, rich, middle.aged New
 Yorker whom she met on her trip.I Mackenzie comes to see her. A little later the same evening Charles arrives, Obviously un. welcome, he stays on, refusing to leave before tho other man. At length Mackenzie departs. Mon. nie tells Charles he hns behaved insufferably. He declares she is not going to marry Mackenzie. NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 CHAPTER xLv1I
 They stood there, flaming at each other. The man tall and lean and straight, his eyes darkencd with something very like fury, The girl, small, golden, in a dress of some thin soft stuff, her head thrown back, defying him.
 Kay. coming to the door of the Living room, stared for moment. Then comprehension dawned in her eyes and, unseen by both com batants, she slipped away.
 What business is 1t of yours whom I marry?" Monnie o'Dare repeated defiantly.
 Charles Eustace, two steps be- low her on the narrow flight of stairs smiled ironically She was 50 lovely in her anger. He did not answer and this enraged Monnie further.
 Its none of your affair."" she what happens to me, anyhow.
 "Ah. don't IF" Charles irony was marked now. Folding his arms and leaning against the balustrade, he considered this "What makes you think that?"
 Monnie was trembling with an- ger and excitement. She did not even bother to answer his question.
 Treating me as you have the past few weeks," she pursued, Following some grievance of her own. Coming to the office to-day and speaking to me 50 = so -" her voice broke indignantly on the words but she found 1t again aftNr a moment.
 Then to come here tonight = to behave so badly showing all of IS just what q frightfui opin- ion you have of mel"
 Charles interrupted this tirade 10 ask coolly. What makes you think have a bad opinion of you 2
 You used to be my friend" Monnie rushed on, quite as If nc had not spoken. You used to be 30 -- we'll, really wonderful. Last summer--last spring.
 'Ah, yes.N But that was then" the young man reminded her
 T wasn't any different" Mon- nie reproached him. T was the same. What's changed you!"
 Charles shook his head, almost sadly.
 you're going to marry this fei. low"
 "He's fine and honorable and good" Monnie defended her ab- sent suitor. Hell take care of mo as l want 10 be taken care of. Anyhow, 1t can't possibly concern you. You and your - your Contessa!"
 She fairly flung the title at him. Charles, whitening under the at- tack, could not help smiling.
 My Contessa? 1 don't know what you're talking about"
 "Oh, don't you? Didn't you fight a duel for her last year, didn't she break your heart?" There, she didn't care how she hurt him. She wanted to. He deserved 1t!
 In an instant Charles strong fingers were gripping her arms. He was looking down at her with m expression of amusement and i'm patience.
 You iittio fool" he said in a caressing voice which took the sting from the words. You - darling-littlc fool"
 Suddenly Monnie was limp in his arms, was sobbing against his shoulder. Tenderiy Charles lifted her streaming face.
 I'm sorry. You know I didn't mean that" He was no longer arrogant but strangely humble. You know how feel about you. Monica O'Dare."
 Somehow, Monnie never knew exactly how although later she tried hard to remember. they were sitting side by side, on the shab- billy carpeted stairs. Charles big handkerchief, smelling of tobacco and q faint whin of cologne, was in 1 her hands.
 "'My Contessa,' as you call her." the young man was saying very gently, twas q beautiful and very heartless young woman who led me a pace for time. didn't crack up' over her. I was q wreck to begin with and finding out what q shell she was just put the crowning touch on me-" You were in love with her then" Monnie accused, feeling weak as wafc- at the thought. T was = well, fascinated" ex- plained Charles, patiently. T was III = not quite bright in the head, imagine. When found