The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1938-10-01
CHAPTER XIV

hung over the traffic court. Groups
Of people clustered together cycling
the Judges closed door from which
somehow q hint OF unexpected de-
velopments had crept forth.
Inside Pat still sat on the big
leather sofa near the window. Some-
one had thrown wrap over her
shoulders which sagged with a
WEAKNESS not all physical. The
gentle spring breeze blew against
her damp forehead, bringing her
back from the gray, misty world
of near-forgetfulness into which
she had slipped.
She wondered duly what they
were doing. It might be that she
was seeing this room for the last
time today. Perhaps she would
be fred. 1t wasn't at all impos-
sible, she thought, recalling again
the blank establishment on the
faces of Tom and Church when
she had stammeringly exploded
the bombshell of her knowledge.
If she had only herself to con-
slider, but there was the family,
the shame of telling them, the
plans the boys had Of working
during the summer on jobs Larry
had promised, her mothers sor-
row when neighbors would men,
ton the affair and look question:
ingly as they offered sympathy
For of course everyone would
know. She was prepared for that,
And Tom she gave q little
moan, drawing the wrap closer
around her shoulders when q
shiver passed over her despite the
warm air pouring into the room
from the sunny out-of-doors. She
hadn't even been able to look at
him. She was afraid to, anyway,
she admitted. What was there he
could think, but that she had been
such q coward, a traitor to have
waited all these hours while he
stubbornly fought for a convic-
ton which she could so easily
have made possible,
A twinge Of sympathy for Larry
went through her heart. Larry,
too, was sitting down. He was
over across the room with big
Officer Burke standing beside him,
and he was watching the attorneys
and detectives.
Desk Sergeant Timothy O'Shea
came in the room bringing her
a fresh glass OF water. Sure now
don't be lookin' as though you'd
lost yer last friend" he whis-
pered, tits q brave girl We are
for the lad was your sweetheart,
wasn't hel"
mot any more, Tom" she said,
slipping the water, TITS all over
now"
There wasn't mucn that wasn't
over, she thought again. Knowing
Tom had cared for her had LESSEN
ed the ache Of losing Larry, OF the
establishment that came from
knowing his weakness. But Toms
love had also been q thing of yester-
0Ay. That, too, must be all over,
Looking at him, stern and engroSs-
cd, she felt that life had become an
empty, futile thing. Losing Larry
had been hard. At moments when
alae understood what he had done
10 her the world seemed drear
place. But losing Tom made her see
what real love was.
To lose him was bitter because
Tom had not failed her. II was
she who had failed. Everything
about him was the same, all she
could admire. And she knew what
falling someone meant. Her own
love hadn't survived the test, so
how could she expect Toms love
for her to last,
The men seemed TO have
reached some sort OF decision.
They stood up, turned toward
Larry while Tom spoke.
"You see, Kent, the whole sltua-
ton has changed, but we want
you to clearly understand your
rights. You don't have 10 take the
stand. You can rest the case on
the peoples evidence and permit
the Jury TO make the decision.
Or you can 60 ahead and take
the stand as your attorney says
he was prepared TO have you do.
1T you submit 10 cross-exam-
nation IL won't be o picnic due
to these new developments. II
you want Church to continue the
case you may as well know that
this Witness" pointing toward Pat
but not looking ct her, will also
take the stand and give her In
formation which, I gather, you
know about"
Larry's eyes swung over 10 Pat.
His face was white, the muscles
In his jaw tense, the pupils In his
blue eyes drawn to pin-pointS. He
stared ut her frightened face.
"She can't tell anything that
will hurt me-" he insisted bitterly.
THAT remains to be seen," Tom
said quietly. "She told your at
torney and me enough TO make
Church ask for recess In which
TO get this mess Strengthened out
IT'S obvious that Miss Medraw
wouldn't have gone this far II she
didn't consider her evidence pretty
important, I don't believe you
understand what putting her on
the stand Is going to do 10 YOU"
he added significantly.
OhhuASh hOddtd, AOuNt III
spot, Kent. ! don't think you told
me as much as you should have.
IT'S best 10 be frank with your
own attorney. Now you've placed
me In an embarrassing position"
"Thaes how II ls," Tom con-
tinued. "The sensible thing TO do
Is stop bluifing, You aren't the
first defendant we've had In here
who thought he could bluff his
way free. II you're at all smart
you'll change your plea"
Larry looked at Pat. well, you've
eevry reason 10 be satifed," he said.
Il might have known, though. And
TO remember how you used 10 pre-
tend you weren't interested In So
ciety, or important people. You used
70 try and make me think you would
be satisfied with little apartment,
and parties with your old gang.
You used to be amused when I'd
aesaaa AL kassk ttsa Nfln amas.sA ~.