The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-11-15
JILL ...,:. ::.: F! ;:::::: :::, :.

engagement to Milo to save dad. It was 6 o'clock when I left the place. That was the time Miss Dexter and mother heard dad fall" Jill shuddered.
 "Then, that's a perfect alibi," Patty exclaimed. "You couldn't possibly be in two places at the same time. Alan will tell them you came there"
 He may not know" Jill said in a low voice. There was a girl there, and she answered the door bell. Then I went away"
 "Ardath!" Patty cried. Then, as Jill did not reply. "Of course it was. I always felt she was out to get Alan"
 It makes no difference now" Jill said, duly. T don't love him now. I couldn't knowing about Ardath. was wild at first, though, and I drove around trying to get myself together. must have looked dreadful because the officer who stopped me said: Pull yourself together, girl. You're go- ing to need all of your wits now" thought he was talking about speeding. I said, Please let me alone. I'll pay the f1ne.' Then he said: Money won't help you out now, Miss Wentworth. They want to question you about your fathers death.' Just like that!"
 Patty patted Jill's trembling
 They're right about pulling yourself together, Jill. Nobody in their right mind would think you had anything to do with it. Every one knows you adored your father. All you have to do is to say you felt you owed Alan an explanation about announcing your engage ment so abruptly, and had driven to his place. You can say after you got there. you changed your mind, realizing an explanation would do no good. You can say you saw Ardath on the street and she spoke to you. Which will be the truth, if only part of it."
 "I'd rather die!" Jill cried. T could never ask Alan - or Ardath ito help me-"
 "All right, we'll think of some other way" Patty's voice was soothing. Just leave it to me, and don't worry"
 She was thinking: Ardath and Alan are the only two people in the world who can help her. They've got to help. I'm sure he'll want to. I don't care how many blond wo- men were at his place that morn ing, I still think he loves Jill. Did you see anyone else about that time?" Patty probed.
 "Yes. An old woman in thin coat. She was standing in front of the apartment. I took off my red scarf and put it about her neck, and I gave her bill. She was talking about the time, and told her it was o'clock. She said I didn't have to tell her, be- cause she told time by the sum-"
 Patty got to her feet. She would go to Alan at once. Jill was in desperate trouble, and this was no time to think about reputa- tions. It would be better, Patty decided practically, to live with no reputation at all, than to die with one. Or spend your life in prison. She couldn't bear such a thought. If Jill were indicted for manslaughter and she was fairly sure that was the way things were heading - she was going to need an alibi It was up to Patty to get one.
 Oh, what a whirl everything was in. And the world had been spinning about so normally only a few days ago. And wasn't it dumb. of Mrs. Wentworth to tell the police about the engagement being such a surprise to everyone But maybe it hadn't been dumb. Maybe she had planned to throw suspicion on Jill, for some reason.
 What did the police say? What made them think you and your father had quarreled?" Patty asked suddenly.
 "The inspector said: Parents don't realize they make trouble for themselves when they're too indulgent. Are you sure you and your stepfather didn't quarrel about the expensive party you were giving? Wasn't it strange that you would have given such a party when his company was on the verge of ruin? Maybe he insisted on your announcing your engagement to young Montanne son of his banker. And maybe, after you did, you regretted, it - and quarreled with him? Tell us the truth, Miss Wentworth. It will be to your advantage not to hide anything" ..,
 It did sound plausible, the case they were building up, Patty thought unhappily. Oh, poor Jill,