The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-03-28

puts q lOC or new pldHS lntO eAeCu- ton. You can't ever tell what she'll do. Perhaps you'll be getting along fine and giving satisfactory serv- ice, and then this woman Tn the black ermine coat will call on Gym thia, and the next day Cynthia will come out of her room looking lik" a ghost, with 0 paper on which she's written lot of things she wants done, and one of the first things may be firing you"
 But I wasn't hired by her. Mill licent said. q was hired by your father"
 That won't make any differ ence," Norman said. If she comes out of her room with it written on a piece of paper that you're fired, you'll be fired. don't care who hired you or what your ar engagement is."
 And you think that's likely to happen?"
 Heavens, no! I just mentioned 1t because it's just typical of some of the things that she's done."
 And your father puts up with this?" she asked. This business of having his house run by an as- trologer?"
 He puts up with it," Norman Happ said gloomily. That's one of the things I don't like"
 He hesitated moment, then added in a burst of confidence. Father is dreadfully unhappy. The whole household is hostile to him. think 1t all comes from Bob Caise. Bob's one of those selfish, f1ippant fellows who's always spreading some sort of propagan- da. If you don't watch him. he'll influence you in spite of yourself
 You think he's that clever?"
 He's clever enough, all right and selfish"
 How does he get along with this mysterious astrologer who infiu- ences his mother so profoundly T
 Norman said slowly, "Bob's got something up his sleeve on that woman-I don't know just what 1t is. He's going to do something about it somewhere along the line. Bob's dangerous, you know"
 And you think he's responsible for your fathers unhappiness? 7"
 T think he's got 0 lot to do with It."
 "Listen," she said, T don't wish to seem to be gossiping. want you to believe me when 1 tell you that I've got a reason for asking you the questions I'm asking. l cant tell you what that reason is but it's important that l know what's going on here. Can you tell me whether your father ever talks with this astrologer?"
 II don't think so," Happ said. Dad has to keep pretty much to himself. Cynthia bosses the serv- ants, and shes a hard boss. 1 don't think any of them are loyal to Dad except Harry Fielding, the chauf- feur.'
 Hes loyal?'
 "Yes look here, shouldn't be telling you all this. 1 came in to find out about Bob. You're pumping me -
 Please she said, "please tell me more. I've got to know what's going on in thls house."
 
 She swayed close to him, and as she did so, felt the tingics of his presence enveloping her as with a magnetic mantle.
 What do you want to knowY' he. asked, and his voice sounded throaty and husky.
 II want to know" she said, "about your father-about this as- trologer-about Harry Fielding
 If you want to know anything about this woman astrologer," he said, "ask Harry Fielding. l hap pen to know that Dad told him to shadow the woman the next time she came to the house. He wanted
 Norman Iiapp abruptly checked himself.
 "Wantcd what?" Millicert breathed, leaning closer to him.
 Happ looked in her eyes, held her gaze. Color flooded his face. Millicent knew what was going to happen before 1t happened, yet had no power to prevent it.
 For what seemed ages she stood staring into his eyes, her soul flooded with some powerful emo ton, her body robbed of conscious volition.
 Slowly Norman Happ's arms came around her, then hungrily ne drew her to him. The slow delib- eration with which his embrace had started was supplanted by a writhing tempo of hungry haste as his emotions swept him beyond his control. MilIicent felt her lips crushed to his, felt her form held su close that she could feel his throbbing heart, could feel the burning tips of his pressing fingers as they dug into her shoulders.
 For a long, helpless moment her vitality seemed to flow through her c.inging lips and then, suddenly, she regained her power to move. She pushed back from him, gasp ing.s
 "Go"' she said. "lf anyone should find you here - [.
 She broke off. as knuckles tapped gently and insistently upon her door.