The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-06-17

calling for Monnie. His father heard she'd got back. That was MT Cardigan on the wire. He wants to know if Monniell come" Kay's eyes flashed. At last the naughty Cardigahs had to come to the O'Dare's for something. They had never been generous. Would the O'Dare's follow their example Monnie came to life. "Of course I'll go," she said with curious calm. 1t didn't matter in the least that Sandra was already Dams wife, that she bore his name in the eyes of the law. Monnie brushed all that aside. It didn't signify. If Dan called her name she would go to him across oceans, through fire if need be.
 It was all part of the dim dream that the day became later in her mind. The trip with Charles to the hospital through the famil- far streets, Charles driving silently and expertly, not saying a word.
 The low building of white stone. "The Judith Lawrence Memorial that had been erected after Sandra's mother had died. 1ronical, wasn't 1t, that 1t should now be housing Judith Lawrences daughter?
 "How badly is Sandra hurt?" Monnie didn't really want to know but she had to talk, had to keep herself from thinking.
 "I don't know" Charles face was turned away from her. Not seriously. l think. Her face = cut-fiying glass"
 The doors opened to them as though someone, waiting, had ob- served their arrival. A tall, gray haired woman in cracking white. her cap banded narrowly in black velvet ribbon. received them.
 Miss O'Dare? Yes. Will you come in here?"
 This was the waiting room. bright, cold, impersonal. The whole place, the corridor, every think reeked of disinfectants. A cart moved by on rubber tires. Monnie shivered.
 Dams father, aged 10 years in a single night, shuffled toward them. Why, thought Monne with surprise, he was really an old man! The great Mir Cardigan! And she had been afraid of him always. Why? He seemed strangely humble, strangely small.
 "Monica? ?" When had he ever called her Monica? It was add to hear 1t. "1t was good of you. to come. Yes. My boy-he is bad they're afraid"
 His voice broke on the words. He could go no further. Monnie saw him not as Dams father, Q barrier always to their happiness, but as a shattered human being, bowed down by a weight too great
 She said something to him in a low tone and he looked at ner gratefully. You can come right alons a1ons,nw with at %s, Charles. se o soth of you. How do, Eustace." Charles hooded. Monnie's mind regis tered. subconsciously. the fact that Charles looked remote, cold. It was as if he were being drawn into a situation for which he felt extreme distant. the utmost
 Another door swung silently open before them. They were In a narrow white room. A hos- pital bed, high narrow stark, with a figure beneath the blankets. Monnie didn't see the middle. aged woman in the big chair, the young nurse beside her. She didn't recognize Geraldine, dark under a blue hat. She saw only Dan. breath came slowly and painfully. almost in signs. At the nurses nod, Monnie moved closer. Was this Dan It couldn't be. Dan was strong and invincible, brown and alive. This was the wreck of a man. Her heart felt as though an icy wise had clamped itself upon 1t. She had not felt like weeping before this but now she was conscious of floods of tears yelling up within her, tears she dared not shed.
 Suddenly the long lashes flick cred and Dams eyes were open. staring at her. Recognition dawned in them.
 "Come closer" the young nurse said softly. "1t's all right"
 She advanced until she stood beside him. ''Why. Monnie." Dan said in perfectly natural toiaa albAif a weak one. sNThoy