The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-24

Alan's voice was hard, sarcastic.
 Allan, what you think of me doesn't matter" Eric continued. But you have no right to be un- fair to Emily. She's an unhappy child, but she's your wife and you can't let her go like this. Start again. Begin over. She'll stay then"
 DO you want her to stay2"
 Frankly, yes and mo-" Eric said. You've been my friend, Alan. You've trusted me and whether you believe 1t or not, I have not betrayed that trust. I love Emily. If she gets divorce, want to marry her But when found out that a dream girl was real, and that the fact that she was already married did not make me love her the less, went to the dam and stayed there. I intended never to see Emily again. wasn't coming back. But couldn't refuse when she called tonight. I thought might be able to make her change her mind"
 Fries sincerity cooled Alan's an- ger. He had liked Kane and he was loathe to blame him too much. He was forced to admit to himself that he had given Eric every opportun- ity to fall in love with Emily, that he had been blind to the fact that Eric might. The kiss-the night of the dance-he dismissed almost without consideration. Neither Emily nor Eric had made any at-' tempt to conceal it, and circunl- stances, rather than an attempt to cheat, were to be blamed for it.
 This is entirely between Emily and myself, Kane" Alan said, more kindly. For what you've tried to do, am grateful =. There's nothing to be done, now. I can't have Emily stay here and be un- happy. Nor can I do what she wants to. If I gave up, went to St. Louis, as she asks, 1t would be the same. I've tried to make her happy but I'm afraid I've failed. This is the way Emily wants 1t to be-"
 This is the way she thinks she wants it."
 "She has to find out - one way or the other"
 "In give you my word," Eric said earnestly. T won't see Emily until she is free - If she ever is free"
 That's for her to decide, too. No, Eric, you and I have to stand by until Emily makes her choice. If she wants to see you, if she wants to get a divorce, marry you, or if she wants to come back here its up to her"
 Tension eased and small talk of | weather, gardens and vacation plans l kept conversation during supper in | safer channels. Emily's sandwiches were good and all of them - Alan, Eric and Farrell - were hungrier than they had imagined.
 Countless unspoken thoughts held each mind, yet each one of them strove to mask real feelings under a forced lightheartedness. Farrell retold some of his most amusing | stories and they laughed as though | they had not care in the world. It was only when the conversation | turned to the weather, the rain, and its possible effect on the dam that | Eric grew serious.
 q think we're safe no.s," he said. "The rain eased of little today, and the water level dropped a half inch. That's a good sign, but I'd feel a lot better if 1t had dropped foot. We won't be entirely safe, though, until the water level has returned to normal. That may take 6 couple Of weeks"
 Building a dam is almost as much trouble as practicing medi- cine" Farrell laughed.
 "It is that - and more," Eric said. Your patient can pass crisis and start getting well; then you can rest easy for bit. Un- less the patient has a relapse, he'll get well. But a dam is different.
 We figure all the stresses and strains and build accordingly. Fin ally the dam is complete, but not , until the full weight of the water is placed against it can we be sure [ that our patient is entirely out of danger. Floods have funny way of crossing up even the best calcula- tions. But a well-built dam usually will take tiff the flood holds oil until the dam is complete. H
 That's been our trouble here. If this freakisn weather hadn't come along, we would have been ' all right. If there should be a heavy rain on the upper river to- night, or even on one of these tributary creeks, we'd have our hands full"
 "No Emily, not another bite-and no more coffee, thanks. One cup is my limit at this hour" Farrell said a few minutes later. T have to be going. I'll stop at the hospital on my way home. Alan, and look in on Mrs. Rowland and Grandma Frank. I'll call you from there. No need of your going out again.
 Good night, Emily. Good night, Eric" Alan saw him to the door