The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-26
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 of course not. And neither would Bob. He's not her type. If he married her, he'd regret it every day of his life. Believe me, he'd be much happier sharing your cross with you"
 For moment, Dorothy almost hoped that her argument might prevail. Joan hesitated in her pack ing and considered it thoughtfully. Eventually, however, she shook her 1 head.
 T can't let him do it." she said duly.
 She resumed her packing.
 Dorothy paced up and down the room fretfully. There were no other arguments that she could put up. Yet she was determined not to let Joan throw this last chance of happiness away. Not if she had to lock her in closet un- til Bob should return and have a chance to plea his own case
 Suppose Sybil Hendry did start few tongues wagging. What did Sybil Hendry's opinion amount to in a community of people like Millie Sanders and old MT. Hen dry and the Downs family? Joan could live the past down right here in Green Hills. If only she could see that it was the sane thing to do
 Suddenly she spun around, a new thought in her mind. There was fiery determination in her expression and she walked back and sat down on the bed em- phatically.
 "Joan," she said severely, T didn't want to say this to you, but I'm going to-"
 What, Dorothy?"
 You're coward!"
 Joan gasped. "Coward?" she echoed.
 "Yes. You're running away be- cause you're afraid to stay here and face it. You're afraid of Sybil Hendry!"
 loans mouth trembled. Please don't say that, Dorothy. Why should I be afraid of her, know ing that Bob is on my side? It's because of him that I'm running away. Don't you see? can't drag him into it with me :"
 Dorothy's eyes snapped. Forget Bob for the moment. Think of your father. Are you ashamed of him?"
 "Dorothy!"
 You are. You must be. If a thing like that happened to my father, I'd stay and fight it out with anybody who dared to doubt me. That is, if l believed in
 Joan dropped to chair, stunned for the moment.
 If I believed ill him." she re- peated vaguely. If I believed in
 All of sudden, she jumped to her feet, and her eyes flashed with fire outbalancing Dorothy's.
 T never doubted my father for an instant!" she cried. Don't you dare suggest it now. He was as innocent of the crime he died for as - as you are. And I'm not afraid to tell anybody that!"
 Inwardly, Dorothy cheered.
 Why don't you tell Sybil Hem dry, then!" she asked coolly.
 loans mouth hardened into a tight line.
 "All right" she vowed. If you think I'm a coward, I'll show you. The very first thing tomorrow morning, I'll go to Sybil Hendry and ask her to lay her cards on the table. I'll face this thing now, as you think can't, before Bob gets back"
 It was with a tremendous effort that Dorothy restrained herself from hugging her.
 Presently she suggested; If you're willing to do that, why don't you beat Sybil at her own gamer"
 What do you mean?"
 Steal the thunder. Tell the story yourself, in your own way, before she gets a chance to tell it."
 Joan paled. Tell - Bob, you mean?"
 No. Not Bob. Sybil's going to wait until she gets absolute proof from San Francisco before she suggests anything to him."
 loans eyes widened with under standing. That was why Sybil had said nothing in front of Bob to- night! Sybil knew full well how ter ribly he would have resented that story If she presented it as idle gos- sip. In the few moments she had talked with Philip over the tele- phone, he could only have given her the barest details. She would want absolute proof, as Dorothy had said, before telling Bob.