The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-11-15
CHAPTER xxIn

It was one of those things that couldn't happen. But 1t had Patty old herself. She was star ing at the front page of a news paper. Night before last, while she was spending the weekend with relatives in the country, Jill Wentworth's millionaire father had died. Or rather, the paper today announced he had died from a heart attack after he had been struck by some unknown person Police, the story ran, had found Jill driving aiInlessly about early yesterday morning, and she had given mo satisfactory ex- planation of her strange conduct
 They were holding her, with other members of the family, for investigation. The worst of it, the paper declared, was that Jill wouldn't talk.
 "Millionaire's Daughter Ques- tioned About Flight From Home, cried the headlines.
 "Oh," Patty thought wildly "this is terrible. Something must be done." She must do something
 There was more. A story about the Wentworth company, being on the brink of ruin. Complete col- lapse of huge holdings threatened with veteran owner dead" an- other banner read. Directors and bankers go into critical confer ence."
 Patty flung the paper aside. Nc time to be reading newspaper ac- counts, when Jill was at her home battling police and their absurd suspicious.
 Patty fairly burned up the miles during the next hour, putting hel dilapidated little car into its speediest stride.
 A subdued- looking doorman lei her into the big mansion. Patty crossed the entrance hall anc mounted the broad stairs with con- temptuous disregard of the off1cia groups about.
 Jills maid opened the door o1 Jill's room, answering Patty! knock. Mrs. Wentworth had giver instruction that Miss Jill was no to be disturbed, she said.
 But Jill's voice rang out: Patty Patty! Come in."
 "Jill, darling" Patty cried, whel the door had closed behind tht departing maid, I'm so distressed about your father. was in tht country, and didn't know. Nobod. ever reads the paper at Aunt Bar bara's."
 She put her arms around Jill who clung to her, helplessly.
 '~They think I did it." cam' Jills whisper. Yes, they do Patty. can see it in their eyes Mother told them about how sur prised everyone was when I an nounced my engagement. Ant now that they know about dad' business troubles, they're insinuat ing I was forced by dad to an nounce. And that afterward quarreled with him and threw |; heavy object at him whicl caused heart failure"
 "Did you ever hear of anythinl as idiotic as that" Patty's voic was vehement. The police can b mighty dumb sometimes. Pounc ing upon any little molehill of evi dence and making 8 great bi mountain of it."
 She couldn't bear the way Jil looked. So White and helples staring out of great sorrowfu eyes. AS though she really didn see anything,
 "They say I was running ava from something, and I was" Ji said. But can't tell ther about it."
 But, Jill, darling, you must! Patty cried, mortified. "The DO lice"
 "Yes, know Jill answered But you couldn't expect me t tell them I went to man wh didn't love me"
 "Jill, you went to Alan Jeffry."
 "Yes." I couldn't have him des pise me utterly. So, as soon as was daylight I drove to his place t explain about dad; how I had de
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