The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-06-26
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want to know where Tommy Will son is."
 We don't give guy away to T skirt,n Pol retorted.
 Beryl turned away, then back allow his lack of courtesy to defeat her. II am not Tommys' girl" she said evenly. T am a friend, And know he was in row with you. If you don't tell me what you did with him shall go to the police, {,
 Pol laughed. You're hot stuff, sister" he told her, but l like your spirit even if you are miles off in your reckonin The police-that's hot one" .s
 He was stil Laughing when a sound behind Beryl caused her to turn hastily in that direction. And there in doorway leading into an inner room stood Tommy. He was haggard and entirely dis reputable looking but he showed a natural surprise at seeing Beryl.
 What you doin' here?' he asked and his voice was as cracked as his skin.
 If you'll take me out to my taxi I'll tell you" Beryl' answered..
 Tommy glanced at Pol who was staring at him with a crooked smile.
 "All right" Tommy said uneasily and followed her from the room.
 What were you doing in that house 2" she demanded of him when they were outside. You were in fight with those men. weren't you?"
 Tommy essayed a laugh but 1t was only "a travesty of a sound. Sure" he said. "and they walloped me good and plenty. But l had 1t comin' tried to get smart with better man."
 But I don't understand" Bery! said, why you are here, in their house."
 They're all right" Tommy said in defense of his new friends.
 II see," Bery1 remarked scath- ingly. 'They beat that idea into your head"
 .Td rather take a beating than a preaching" Tommy warned her.
 Beryl instantly took a different track. won't preach to you. Tommy, she told him softly. Come on and let's talk it over on the way Dack nome.
 I'm not going home." Tommy declared, and the determination III his voice was alarming.
 Urge as she would, Beryl could not persuade Tommy to leave Nthe Larkins. He was as we'll off there as anywhere, he insisted. Beryl sensed that he was governed by q reason more compelling than his liking for the outfit. But she dared not voice her opinion, knowing that opposition would serve only to ce- ment more firmly the evil associa- tion.
 Please" she begged, after all arguments had proven vain, keep in touch with me, Tommy
 But Tommy did not keep in toucn with her, and for days Bcryl lived in the agony of dread. She had been put to bed, almost forclbly and scolded by the family doctor and her mother with such clearness and emphasis that she dared not disobey. Besides her mother watched her like hawk. Was not her career in jeopardy?
 BeryI smiled over her mothers , solicitude. It would make differ' ence in the family should they be deprived or ner Salary. Ioul SHo W"' not bitter. Nothing mattered to her except Tommy's welfare. And she could get no news to him. Gossip yes. but what she heard on that score, although prefaced with i've heard" and "They say,' increased her anxiety.
 She sent for MT Hoffman and he came but said he "had washed his hand of the young pup Beryi could get no encouragement from him. she prevailed upon her moth CT. on threat of going out to do 1t herself. to make inquiries concern ing Tommy at various places, but this did her no good. either. For Mrs Everett lied to her. She thought it best, for the truth about Tommy was not pleasant
 Beryl learned 1t quickly enough, however, when after fortnight, she was allowed to leave the house. Tommy had joined with the Larkin ganr in earnest. Beryl heard that ne mad been engaged with them in certain midnight smuggling oper- ations designed to aid in assuaging scofflaw thirst But this was only rumor and she refused to believe It