The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-09-28
CHAPTER XII

1e was 0 nara paJtSe trying 70 control her thoughts, Pat only knew she wished 1t was her hand that helped hold the big yellow bound law book Tom grasped, and that 1t was her sleeve that brushed his as he and Shelia crowded together at the table. She prayed fo. the case to be resumed so that Tom would have to so away, and then when he moved beyond her line of vision she was miserably conscious of the loss of something intangible but lovely.
 "ffe's grand, Pat" Shelia whis- pered. "If only I weren't stuck in . poky school room ali day. You don't know how utterly dead it can be. Forty children all doing the wrong thing at the wrong time, oil getting on one's nerves at once, and not Q single solitary soul to talk with. You're lucky. You always have been. You have SO much"
 Pats lips were dry as she made an inaudible answer. Lucky, she thought bitterly. It seemed that her world was emptied of luck and happiness, She was a stranger to herself. She couldn't explain the feeling she had for Tom be- ccause despite the heartbreak and worry over Larry she still cared for him, wanted to save him, wanted to be near him, to hear him say he needed her, Ties such as those that bound them couldn't be broken or even worn thin in q few weeks. She rubbed hand over her forehead and made q nretense Of working. Her reac. ton frightened her, Loyalty had too long been Q part of her creed Love ard loyalty to Larry when he needed her most, That was what she nNst remember. This feeling for Tom must simply De tho admiration an honest, sincere, Kind man awakened In one.
 shelia stayed on until the days Nork ended. Pat forced herself to ect naturally, to hide the new feeling of possessiveness toward Tom. Tn an agony of remorse ana shame ct the sensation that had swept over her when she saw her cousin with him, she invited shelia home for dinner.
 "You haven't been over for an evening in Q long while. TodayB d apree for you anyway, so have dinner with us. Nom will pc pleased too. You can give her all tho family gossip"
 she was welcome, for shelias chatter during the evening meal covered Pats own silence. Mrs. Me- draw loved company, for as her children grew up, their lives became more complete and involved With their own little groups.
 "When their father was alive thlngs were never dull around here" she said. "When he'd come homo he'd have some fine tales to tell. But them were the old days when the police in this town were two-iisted men. The hoodlums were afraid of the men on the beat for they stood for no funny business when the boys would act up the police would take them by the scuff of their necks and bump their heads together"
 The boys loved to have their mother reminisce. They laughed at her, teased her, and egged her on to tell more stories, but their eyes grew tender when she told them of young Dennis Mcdraw's experience as c beat man.
 aft's nice having Pat down at the court" she told her niece, aOnce in while she meets some of the old ones ones that knew and worked with Den. I'm glad ahe's there and not in one Of them fancy ofiices like they show in movies with velvet and marble and millionaire bosses. Working in court with members of the force is Q respectable job, and itll help her remember her father, cod rest his soul"
 "And lot mo tell you there arc some nice men working with her, Aunt Aggie," shelia said laughing. q met ono today that made me wish I could quit teaching school"
 "Well now, that's interesting Pat never said anything about Q specially fine young man." her mother said. "But then she's in. ested in Larry and nobody else, I guess. Who's the one you met BheiiaP"
 aHe's tall and handsome and Irish, Aunt Aggie. And he's the prosecutor. guess I wouldn't be able to do much work though if I were looking at him oil day"
 "prosecutor--" Bill said ques. tioningly. "is he the one who'll" he stopped suddenly.
 Pat continued taking the plates of tho table to make room for the dessert of Mrs Mc0raw's rich oat- meal cookies and canned rcd plumb. "Yes = he's the ono who'll handle Larry's case" she said. The tension in the room was broken by Ghelia, her cheeks red with pity for her cousin.
 dBut honestly, Aunt Aggie," she broke in switching the converse. ton brislsly. "This Tom Sweeney is grand. As was saying l only met him for . few moments but Tin stink--v
 pat knew she was talking to gave her the embarrassment of ex- 8laining more about Larry, but S4ery word of praise for Tom was kait in on open wound. Tom nfosecuting Larry. Tom, who aB #s1IiA said, was SO grand. Why