The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-02

He shouldn't have tried to come down after me-"
 "He = he was swell" she said, with difficulty.
 q know. = I'm going to do all can for Diane"
 There's not much anybody can do She's taking the baby and going back to her folks in Vir- ginia. She'll be able to live on the pension there"
 Jack said, That's the Navy for you. Maybe a woman's fool to let herself in for it."
 But Judy Alcott said sturdily, "No! Diane would do it all over again, even if she knew the end. They were so happy! And we'll be happy. My mother and father have ben happy
 His eyes adored her. You're so sure now. Oh, I always, knew, if I waited = if could make you sec"
 T - guess it was you all the time she said in a shamed little voice. But I didn't know-until that night Thinking about you - out there in the water = afraid you were dead imagining all kinds of horrible things" She lifted her chin. But that's part of it. I wouldn't want to have it otherwise!"
 He said slowly, "When get well, Commander Sloane says I'll be good as new. Barring unfore- seen complications. Tn be fy- ing again, Judy"
 T wouldn't want you to quit" she said.
 The next day, Judy sat in the car with Diane and Mrs. Alcott, and the happiness that had lived in her eyes during the hours she had spent with Jack was gone. For this was Bills final journey They weren't going to see it all, but she knew how it would go. And Diane knew
 There would be a horse-drawn caisson, borrowed from the Army to do Lieutenant William Bell honor. There would be soldiers, and officers on foot, and enlisted men behind. She stole little glance at Diane. She was white and still. Controlled. But her fingers were curled into fists.
 Then they were at the ceme- tery, and Judy stood up beside Diane, hoping that the other girl wouldn't break down at the last minute. The men who were lined up facing each other on each side of the grave raised their rifles skyward and three volleys rang out. Diane cried uncontrollably, Bill! Oh, Bill" Judy put her arms around her. "Cry," she said. Tt will do you good" But she couldn't watch, either, as they lowered the coffin into the grave.
 She tried to tell Jack about it. But she faltered, her voice break ing. He said, T know what it's like And he did it for me" He added, "He would have done it for anyone. He was white"
 Diane was leaving for Virginia in the morning. She couldn't stand the empty bungalow, Bills uniforms in the closet, the eyes of the Navy wives. 50 I'll be late tomorrow morning. Judy said. I'm taking Diane to the station. D
 She held the baby, while an en- listed man from the station car ried Diane's bags, and Mrs. Alcott went into the train to see that everything was all right in the com partment. And then Judy was hand ing little Bill to his mother and say ing gravely, You'll write, Diane? You'll let me know how things are?"
 Be happy, Judy" said Diane, closing her hand over Judy's. T always said - Jack Hanley's the best on the lot" And then she was close to tears, and burying her face in the baby's little sweater.
 I'll miss you so," Judy said. Jack and I will try to come out to see you, first leave we get"
 If you're not ordered to Hawaii, you mean" She hugged the baby. Bill and had always expected to-"
 Don't darling"
 Hes still with mel Diane said
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