New Britain herald., 1925-05-21

drink! Not thingI'
 May smiled sweetly
 You can tell me the truth, dearie! You know I'll never breathe 1t to a soul" she said.
 "I don't care whether you do or not! I tell you didn't have thing to drink! It was raining and tho car skidded into the ditch. that's all," Gloria said.
 But Stan was with you, wasn't he?" May asked.
 "Yes. he was" Gloria answered defantly. But how did you know he was?"
 "Oh, doctors wives hear things, you know. Things that happen in hospitals" May answered mysteri- ousy.
 "Ill tell you how I found out about it." she added a moment Eater. Mrs. O'Hara Is a friend Of one of the nurses who took care Of you here at the hospital the night of the wreck. And this nurse told her about your calling for someone named Stan all the time."
 Gloria stared at May without speaking,
 Mrs. O'Hara asked John who Stan was" May went on. And it never occurred to John who Stan was. But the minute he told me about 1t l knew you'd been call ing for Wayburn! I guess I'm some little Sherlock Holmes. "I hope Dick hasn't heard about my calling 'stan.'" Gloria said. But I suppose he has!"
 May took out her vanity case and powdered her prominent nose.
 By the way, Dicks much better, John says" she remarked. "He thinks he'll be able to come here 10 see you in a day or two"
 And the next afternoon Dick came 10 the hospital. Gloria wakened from cat-nap 10 find him standing beside her bed, looking down at her. She smiled up at him in welcome.
 Well. Dick Gregory" she cried, 'it certainly seems fine to see you standing on your own feet again. Do you feel really we'll now"'
 Not well but lot better" Dick answered. He drew up chair 10 the side of the bed and sat down.
 Your cars still in the shop" he said, without smiling. "rhe man l sent out to tow it back to town said 1t was pretty badly smashed, :. . Tell me, Gloria, how did you hap pen to run off the road that day."
 Gloria swallowed hard.
 Well, it was raining. ou know, she began, "and the car skdded and that's all. The next thing l knew I was lying in the road with the car on top of mel"
 What were you doing out In the country 15 miles from home 2" Dick went on.
 "Oh. don't ask me any more ques, tions." Gloria cried impauently Haven't 1 been through enough lying here fiat on my back for two weeks. Give me little peace.'
 Was anybody with you"" Dic( asked relentlessly. Gloria closed her eyes, I'm tired" she said. Co away. , Not until you tell me if anyon' was with you in your car that day, Dick said in a low monotone. Gloria opened her eyes. sh , smiled at Dick, showing the tw' tiny dimples that were tucked in a the corner of her mouth.
 You haven't kissed me yet, Rik ky-Tikky- -Tavy," she said, , I'm not going to kiss you" Dicl answered calmly.
 "Never again?' , Perhaps |. but not right now 6 Dick replied. Right now I'm Tn terested in just one thing. l wan 10 know who was with you wa r out ill the country that day Of tn
 wreck, And, by love, I'm going t find out, too"
 , Gloria burst out laughing.
 Not if I don't choose to tell you, z she said. After all, nobody know
 who was along but me! And IT , not going to tell.'
 uck whtened. Suddenly Glori F was sorry for him.
 q was all alone, Dick she sait
 There wasn't anyone with m h Cross my heart" e Dick looked at her quietly TOT
 minute. Then he put his hand int
 his coat pocket and pulled out :. little mud stained flask, covere ,r with cheap leather.
 How did you happen to haN this along with you?" he aske' Have you taken to solitary drinl n Ing. Gloria?"
 His wife widcned her eyes thi ,, were the color of brown pansit m Where in the world did you g ' that thing" she asked. 'I nev IA saw 1t before in my life" ,r She shuddered as she looked q" the flask. She seemed. still, 10 s a~ 1t in stan's hand as he tried ," make her drink from Ii.
 You mean to tell me, upon Eo ,, word of honor, that you never ha ,d seen this whiskey flask before ,h your Hfe?" Dick asked her.
 Gloria answered him gra'ely, he mean just that" she said. H. She watched him put the fla ,d back into his pocket. ., She drew long breath Of relic ha Then. fascinated, she saw h
 draw from his coat another shini y. object ... q silver cigaret case. 5o too, was caked with yellow mud
 Did you ever gee this befo n, Gloria :" he asked, Ior Gloria shook her head Never" Dick asked, Think
 fore you speak"