The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-20
CHAPTER x

Step by step, Aunt Elizabeth Car ter descended the stairs.
 And with every step, it was to April Burnett like the ax falling, the loop tightening.
 "Still afraid of Aunt Elizabeth, aren't youP" Kent was whispering close to her ear. "Shes really a darling when you know her"
 April's head went up, a silly phrase darted through her mind. ''Your sin will always find you out" {"
 All right, she'd take it. Shed face the music. She'd even be flip and pretend she had taken an im- pudelt delight in the masquerade.
 Aunt Elizabeth was at the bend in the stairs, coming closer at every second. April had never seen her before, and now, even in the midst of her own torment, she could find herself studying the old lady with certain detachment.
 What had Kent said? "Still afraid of Aunt Elizabeth, aren't you?' That meant that Ann had been timed in the presence of the old lady. We'll, she wouldn't be. She found herself saying clearly, How do you do?"
 Miss Garter came closer, peered LID at her with eyes as round and black as currant berries.
 Kent said, I've wanted you and Ann to meet for a long time, Aunt Elizabeth. This is Ann Burnett
 Ann Burnett?" The old woman reached out wrinkled, ivory hand, "Ann, eh?"
 She looked closely at April, but there wasn't flicker of recognition. April grasped the hand, gripping 1t so she wouldn't do anything foolish like fainting in heap on the floor. So this was ;tl Ann and old Miss Carter had never met.
 It was obvious from Rents intro- fluct.on, from the way the great aunt was studying her. If you could drop dead from sheer relief, April Burnett knew she would have come to the end of her life then and there.
 In the blessed last-minute re- prieve, she fo''rd the frozen mask of her face lifting in smile. Its very nice to krow you" she began, tryin1 to speak as Ann would.
 Nip gave one last shake to his back and parked.
 Kent covered the awkward pause by saying, Let's all go to the li- brary. It's the only warm place in this ark of house. We're freezing, Aunt Elizabeth. Maybe Jasper could bring us some coffee"
 Jasper" Miss Carter said, "has gone to meeting for an hour" With this, she led the way down the hall to the library.
 It was a big room, book lined, with an open grate fire which burned in an orange and ruby glow. Aunt Elizabeth took the straight backed seat at the desk, leaving April and Kent to sit together on the leather lounge.
 A little alarmed by the aunt's bright and searching eyes, even though the danger of being discov- cred as an imposter was over, April launched at once into nervous chat ter.
 We had a lovely day, Miss Car ter. We drove miles out in the country for steak fry"
 "A steak fry?" The tiny martinet of an aunt lifted her brows as if April were talking of a cannibal roast. "What a peculiar custom"
 Not at all, Aunt Elizabeth" Kent cut in loyalty. Its fun. Besides, Ann loves rouoh!rg 1t outdoors
 Aunt Elizabeth surveyed the Ann who was April. T shouldn't think so to look at her." she said. "She doesn't seem what is called, nowa- days, the type"
 And now the black, bright eyes were taking in April's yellow hair and doll-lashed eyes and the blis- tered white hands.
 April saw the look of chagrin on