The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-08-21
CHAPTER VIII

q know," Molly spoke wearily, Fear, unhapplness, hunger had made her feel really ill Tears dipped down her white cheeks,
 "We women are all alike, I guess" |" the masked woman said, but you not more to cry about than Q man"
 With this doubtful consolation, she left the room.
 The servant said, "A young man Co see you, sir"
 Brent stuart stood before . window in the lihary of his win dow in the library of his home, It was Q room 1illed with mellow charm and warm color. i've told you, Simpson, Brent said, that I won't sec onyone today"
 "Yes, sir. But this 6 the young man who waited for hours, Mir, Brent, He seemed SO upset, sir, when you didn't come in last night, If you1l pardon my saying SO, slr-"
 eyes, Simpson" Brent's tone revealed none of tho anguish in hla heart. He had spent all the nlRht searching the city for Molly, HS had telephoned, and Donna had told him that Molly was out with Q strange man - Q man she had met at "The Red Poppy" Donna had kept Brent on the phone while sch talked about how dreadful it had been of Wick to take Molly to such 6 questionable night club.
 Then Brent had dashed of to make the rounds of the dining and dancing places, He was thor oughly alarmed,
 He had not found her At "Tho Red Poppy" which, somehow, was definitely associated with his fears. He had failed to find her anywhere. As the hours length en0d toward morning Brent had gone to the Milford home to And Donna sharing his anxiety. Molly's father was to arrive In Q few hours and Molly must be found.
 Perhaps, Donna suggested, there had been car trouble and Molly had been unable to reach 0 tele- phone. In tho end, Brent had called police heaquarters to see If any accidents had been reported,
 Morning had come, and som0- one had telephoned that Molly had been found, It was all like a horrible nightmare -- that mess sage had torn Brents world apart,
 Molly was dead, Gay, laughing, beautiful, and sweet Molly was dead. With everything to live for, she had found life not worth liV- ing. She must have known how he loved her, and yet she had not wanted to stay here with him,
 It couldn't be truel Yet Brent had seen her looking so peaceful and beautiful with all trace of suf- fering gone, her lips closed for ever. Never to answer his des- perate questioning, Why, Molly darling, did you do itS"
 Simpson was still waiting in the doorway, watching his young employer anxiously. What was the matter with Simpson9 Didn't he un- derstand how to do as he was toldp Couldn't he realize how much Brent wanted to be alone now3 It was not possible to talk wit hthis stranger or anyone else.
 ''Forgive me, sir" Simpson was saying, "but the young man is so anxious, SO excited, Mir. Brent. He said he couldn't leave without seeing you"
 'Bring him in," Brent spoke hoarsely. "If he's . book agent"
 'No, sir, he isn't" Simpson had answered confidently, and then vanished.
 4 moment later he was ushering in . dark-haired young man. The stranger stood regarding Brent tiTaidly out of dark melancholy eyes.
 T have . message for you, MT. Stuart. That is, I had Q message for you and then I lost it."
 T sec" Brent's tone was hol- low. "Then what was the good of