The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-06-08
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 weethe0xk.a X BS Mabel McEIIiott L aa.a A
SYNOPSIS
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KATHARINE 6IIk IT mn nC1eoAs z beautiful, 20, in love with MICHAEL HEATHEROE who runs q riding school. KAtharine's father is rich and her stepmOths CT, BERTINE, is snObbish.
 ZOE PARKER, Katharine's friend, has an unhappy love af- fair and is saved from suicide by young DIR. JOHN KAYE.
 SALLY MOON, local coquette, tricks Michael into an engage. ment and, when he tries to wrig- gle out, tightcns her hold. Kath- arlne hears Michael is to marry Sally and is brOken-hearted.
 She Overhcars two detectives asking for AIichael's address and, thinking him in danger, rushes to warn him. Michael sets on with her in Katharine's car. He tells her he loves her and refuses to go away unless she comes with him.
 CHAPTER XXTv
 The girl stared back at Michae Heatheroe, the pupils dilatint oddly, "You win," she said quietly
 .sKatharine :" His arms were around on her now, his breath wal on her cheek. "You mean--you'l actually marry me?"
 She looked straight ahead, hel hands gripping the wheel.
 s'I'll do that"
 The die was cast. She couldn't turn back now. She knew in hei soul if she turned Michael over tc those detectives she would be tor mented all her life long. She couldn't think of Sally Moon now nor of anything else
 sDrive on then" the man cried exultantly. "We can get a special license in Connecticut"
 Long afterward the girl thought some special madness must have possessed her that day. She could not remember quite clearly by what devious route they arrived at the shabby, shingled house in the lit. tie, sleepy village. The frayed clergyman who examined their pa pers did not seem to find the sit- uation at all odd. He accepted them and their demand quite calmly.
 As if in a dream the girl heard the words, "I, Katharine, take thee, Michael :"
 A woman came out of the kitchen, wiping her fioured hands to sign the papers
 Then they were back in the car again, Katharine's hands on the wheel. The simple gold band bought in that same sleepy town glimmered against her finger.
 It wasn't real. It couldn't be Yet there was Michael beside her And in the back of the car were the drug store packages, the for gotten library book to remind hei of homo, of duties.
 Katharine turned scandalized face to his. ''Bertine - my step- mother! She'll he half mad. What time is it?"
 Michael consulted his watch Half past two"
 ! Half past two. And it had bean 10 o'clock when Katharine had stepped out of the drug store into broling Main street. She wal married now. She was this man: wife
 s.dichael," she said frantically You must wait here. Is there , hotel or something? I'll go bacl to Innicock and get some money throw some things into bag"
 Shw had promised to go wftf him. for better or for worse. II sickness and in health. Something wild and free within herself ex' ulted at the thought. This lean smiling young man was her hus' band. No one could take him from her.
 He glanced away, avoiding hei eyes. "Do you think I'm going te let you go now We can telephone your stepmother ."
 Suddenly it seemed to Katharine that if Bertine knew it would spoi everything. Bertine. prying ant questioning, weeping perhaps, ant talking of the shame and disgrac' of 1t.
 "No," she said gently. "But nov we must plan what to do, where tt go. Shall we go west again--ol is 1t - would it be uncomfortabl' for you?"
 She asked this haltingly. Nov that she, was his wife, perhap Michael Heatheroe would tell he why those grim men with badge were looking for him.
 ASH al she hadn't known the affair was s' serious, she would have sworl there was amusement lurking Ii his eyes.
 ssKatharine, can you realize it? . he asked huslsily after a moment "Yesterday I thought was don for. To-day you belong to me-"
 "I can't drive when you look a me like that" she murmured. Sh stopped the car and there was { murmuring interlude.
 s'Listen. Katharine" said Michae after q space. You needn't g' back to Innfcock at all. hay some cash in my pockets"
 '.Idiot!" she told him. "I haven any clothes"
 ssWell, I'll buy you some."
 ssWith what?" she demanded laughing.
 He drowned. You've married , poor man. my darling"
 "As If that mattered."
 
 She raised his hand to her lip and, with a spontaneity amaz ing i'm one always so cool and re pressed, kissed it. His face burne, deep red. He said huskily. "D you realize, girl, that's the frs time you ever--"
 { s.Ever what?" Her dark. burninI blue eyes challenged him. Bertine { ELAPPER FANNY SAYS: { NEa. u .. pAf. 0kx. n 6iN