The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-07-02
CHAPTER |

TT was . week after her fathers \ funeral. Claire FosdIck stood in she luxuriousIy furnighed library and looked about her with . Bhud- der. Almost as though she half expected some snenacing horror to reach out from the familiar shadows and clutch her. Then she jerked herself together with an effort. Over there, by hig fayoritt lamp, his body he'd been found sluinped forward in an unnatural twiated position. She could see Il yet, though she had tried to forget FearfulIy she looked there now, and was conscious of c feeling of relief when only the outlines Of tiie cush- ions of the big wing chair and the curve of the table met her gaze.
 The death certificate had said heart trouble, and there had been no autopgy. Nick Baum had man. aged that for her. But always in the back of CiaiTe's mind would be the uuegtion--why had her father died SO unexpectedly? He had Rcemcd aS well aB usual when She bade him goodnight and left him chatting with Nick. And Nick had said that when he left at II o'clock MT. Fosdick walked to the door with him and seemed fin the best of spir- its, Yet he was gone, and now Claire was alone with the wreck of the family fortune. This city house and the mountain property were about oil that was left, and she knew only too well that Nick Baum had claims on both. Her fathers words came back to her.
 we must pay Nick by this time next month, Daughter"
 "Surcly Nick will--"
 "But, Daddy" she had exclaimed
 "You don't understand, child Nick has been more than lenierlt. I couldn't ask him to extend the tine again. We've got to find the 1T oney somehow"
 But how? Wearily Claire inven- torled again her chances Of sup plying 6 large sum of money m Q limited space Of time. Trained for nothing but 6 society life, lacking money that seemed aB far distant m the snow covered mountain peaks what could she do2
 As though in answer to her prob. inm, the door behind her opened and a tall young man came eagerly toward her and took both her cold hands in his.
 "Nickp I--I didn't know you were here. I didn't hear you come in."
 "Becauso came through the gar- den, Gut across from the garage The maid opened the French win dow for me. Are you glad to see me, Claire?"
 He kissed her fingers as he spoke, then stood looking down at her, his flashing dark eyes admirIng every line of her. You're prettier every time see you"
 VT,HE girl freed her hands with | an uneasy little gesture. "Of course I'm always glad to zee you, Nick" she answered. You've been awfully good to me. I dent know how I could have gone through everything without you, but"
 She jarred back against small table, crashing q delicate Dresden figure to the floor. It lay shattered into bits. She gazed down at 1t dag edly. It was like her own world the world that had always been so beautiful and safe. Smashed into broken pieces.
 "But what, Claire?" he persisted sYou know I'm crazy about you and want you to marry me. Why won't you say you will? You're the loveliest girl I've ever lmown--and the coldest. Can't you like me Q iit- tic, dearest2"
 Claire looked regretfully at him Certainly he seemed everything q elrl could desire. as he stood there pleading with her. Handsome. young and ardent. Yes, she was . fool yet