The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1938-09-23
SERIAL STORY
HlT-RUN LOVE sx@@ssUsF! :. e :!:. !.

court In the morning. Have TO
arrange things before then. Just
wanted you to know everything
is going to be all right"
"Ithas to be, Larry" She put
her hands over his, wanting TO
comfort him, wanting to believe.
"The police haven't q thing on
me. You know that fender was
TANNED at the club. Remember?
And you know I was at High Hill.
/ told you about 1t, remember"
She nodded slowly. Eyes, you
told me you were there"
"Well, you believe me, don't
your And you know about the
fender, too"
She pressed her hands to the
head. IT thought I heard 1t rattle
on the way out to the club, but"
Good heavens, Pat. you're let
ting your imagination run away
with YOU" he broke in harshly.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't pean to
snap like that. I'm worried over
this, OF course. It's been a hell OF
day: questions, explanations, a
regular history to give those
COPS, and I was to clinch O sale
today, too. Dottie Barnes is going
to buy a new car. She mentioned
1t at the dance, and I'd promised
to take her out In one Of the new
models. Had to break that APP
pointment, but she said I could
come out later. I can't drive,
though, and 1t puts ME In a nice
mess. She's pretty swell about 1t,
must say. Said she'd come down
to the salesroom and drive the car
herself, while I 60 along to point
out the new features"
Eyes," Pat said slowly, that
Is nice Of her. She's very con-
siderate.
WELL" he was walking up and
down the room nervously. Sup
pose I'll see you tomorrow at
court. I hear that your bright
boy Sweeney Is going to run
for prosecutor in the primaries.
What's the feeling about his
chances?"
Hes we'll liked, and he's very
capable She thought Of Tom
standing beside the witness chair,
firing questions, breaking alibis,
opening pitfalls for lying wit
nesseS.
Capable" Larry repeated
slowly. "Sure, and pretty darn
anxious to get the nomination, too.
Probably running his legs of to
get to the right people to back
him. I guess he'd like to know
some Of the guys do. Old man
Barnes, for instance. He's a big
shot In banking circles here in
town, and can put money on the
line when campaign comes
along"
His Dragging was so obvious, so
like a small boys, that Pats pale
lips curved In tremulous smile. Il
didn't know you knew Mr.. Barnes
so well, Larry
"Oh, I've met him, and I know his
daughter. helped her out Of jam
once. She banged up new model
she was trying out last fall. She
was afraid her old man would hear
about 1t and not buy her the car
she wanted. I managed to smooth
things over so he never learned.
She hasn't forgotten, either. In fact
she was mighty nice when called
and told her ! couldn't come out to-
day. Said she hoped I'd get along,
and that maybe she could help"
Help Pat stared at the pool OF
light made by the lamp ON the old
walnut table. Help-a lot Of help
Dottie Barnes would give II 1t meant
embarrassment or publicity. How
could Larry be so gullible, so naiveP
"And by the way, Pat" he
added, you are In a position to
offer some help, too. I notice you
haven't made any move yet, but
I suppose you want to help me,
don't you?"
She looked at him soberly.
"You know I do, Larry. We're
TO be married. I love you, don't
want TO see an innocent man
suffer. What can I do, thought"
He dropped his gaze before her
steady appraisal and shrugged his
shoulders as he moved to put on
his coat. "Oh, I don't know.
Maybe as q character witness.
Tell Sweeney I'm not q cheap
crook, or a hold-up man. That
you think highly Of me and plan
to marry me-"
I'm not ashamed of you, Larry.
If my serving as character wit
ness will help, you you know III do
1t. Only the men you work with
would serve the purpose much
better. AS your girl, my opinion
would naturally be colored IN
your favor. And Sweeney won't
think Of you as criminal, unless
UNLESS"
As her voice trailed of the
silence was pregnant with UNI
spoken thought. Unless what?"