The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-10-24

for Uncle Sam," said Larry. He hesitated, on the verge of asking the girl whether she knew any, thing about her employers surrep- titious deal in stolen bonds. Then he decided against 1t. He would go to Montague himself, in the morn ing. Time enough, after that, to question Jean if need be.
 Besides" he added, T promised your father and mother I'd keep an eye on you, didn't l? And 50 far I've only seen you once since I've been in Dover"
 well" said Jean, that's not my fault, is it?"
 T don't know" said Larry, adopt ing @ light, bantering tone. T hear you're 50 popular that nobody can see you unless they make 8 date three weeks in advance"
 "Sillyl Where'd you hear that?"
 "Oh, it's all over town. I hear you even went down to police headquar- ters with young man the other day."
 "Oh, that! I was doing my good deed that day-you know, Girl Scout and all. I was keeping a nice young man from being bothered by the police" ..
 were you, indeed2 Tell uncle all about it."
 Well, you see," she said, "I'd been out with him this one after noon 8 week or two ago"
 Bobby, you mean? Don't tell me he's getting in trouble with the police" ,
 "No, not Bobby. This-this was Sandy Harkins," she said, feeling somewhat self-conscious.
 "Who's he?"
 "Oh, he's just-just friend of mine." She felt more self-conscious than ever; so much so that she failed to notice that Larry's jaw muscles were tightening at this bit of evidence that she was on friend- ly terms with Harkins. Any way, he and I'd been out canoeing this afternoon, and next week 1t devel- oped that he happened to look like a man the police were looking for about a robbery, and 1t just hap pened that the robbery had hap pened the very afternoon that we were out canoeing, so MT. Montague took us down to police headquar- ters and I told them about 1t {. and that's all there was to it."
 "Oh," Larry looked at her spec ulatively. MT. Montague took you, did he?"
 "Why, yes. It's funny, your mentioning Bobby. Because if 1t hadn't been for Bobby I might not have been canoeing with Sandy at all that day. Anyway, Bobby came in to see MT. Montague that after noon-"
 Bobby did?"
 Sure" Something he wanted to sell MT. Montague"
 Sell him?"
 "Yes. Whats the matter tonight, Larry?"
 He blinked, and then grinned at her.
 Don't mind me. I'm getting Tightly in my old age. Go on with your story"
 "Oh. Anyhow, Bobby came in and went into Mir. Montague's office, and then MT. Montague came out and said might as well take the rest of the day off, as I did, and I bumped into Sandy downstairs and we went canoeing. That's all."
 "Mmmm. Know this-what do you call him, sandy?-- very well, Jean?"
 ] Her cheeks grew redder by just the faintest shade, and she looked at the floor for a moment. Larry missed none of 1t. Then she said. "Why--yes, pretty we'll" He looked at her fondly. Then. to her surprise, he got up and came over and rested one hand on her shoulder.
 "Jean." he said. I'm getting jeal- ous Of all these young blades. I want to see more of you myself. I'm not going to neglect you the way I have been You'll save some time for the old uncle, won't you?"
 She looked up in surprise, and saw that underneath his Joking tone he was serious.
 Why, of course, Larry" she said. The more I see of you the happier I'll be. You know that" He patted her shoulder again. When you need a father confess sor-" he began. Then he rumpled her hair and grinned down at her "All right Princess Charming, When may see you again?" Any time you-oh, Larry, I al- most forgotl I'm going on my va cation next week. I'm going down home. VIII you come and see me before I go?"
 "See you? I'll take you out to dinner. How about Friday nightp"
 Larry. will you? I'll be tickled to deathl"
 After he had gone Jean lay back on the couch and unused: Dear old Larryl So reliable and dependable and not, like some other old friends, always trying to bring up the subject of love and marriapei =. But why had he acted so strangely when she was telling him about going down to the police sta ton with Sandy? And what queer. unwantcd thought was floating around in her subconscious rntnd. making her feel uncomfortable whenever she herself thought about 'tl something was wrong, some where; what wag it2