The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-27
Love Laughs At Danger Signs

You're . rotten liar" Monnle laughed.
 Liar or not, you've got no busi- ness here. Go on home, and let me alone. I've got work to do"
 T won't ! I'm not going home until I find out why you spend your nights sitting out here on a hill"
 You're going back nowl" He caught her horse, led 1t to her Are you going to get on this horse, or do I have to put you on?"
 Her eyes challenged him. He caught her from the ground. He was surprised that she did not struggle or try to escape. But when he neared the horse, she kicked it's flank. The horse wheeled, jumped away.
 "You-you-" Larry muttered. He felt her relax in his arms, felt her black head snuggle closer to his shoulder. She was looking up at him, smiling.
 He kissed her lips tenderly.' 'Monnie, I love you" he whis- pered.
 He kissed her again before he put her on her feet, let her go. But she was back in his arms in an instant, lifting her lips again. T love you, too, Larry"
 His happiness shut out all thoughts of Hugh and the task he had set out to accomplish. He had Monnie in his arms She loved him. Life could begin for him now
 twill you marry me, Monnie?"
 Her lips, the tightening Of her arms around his neck gave him his answer.
 At last he released her. She smiled again. That's why fol- lowed you here. I wanted to hear you say 1t. wanted you to know"
 What about Bentley?"
 T told him our engagement was of the day after you ran away, the Sunday we quarreled," she ex- plained. You were awfully ob- stinate, Larry"
 I'm sorry I thought you had been to Bentley's the night before. Someone stole your car, met a plane at Bentley's landing field. I saw the car on the canyon road"
 50 that's why Pete made me keep 1t locked" She sat down, pulled him down beside her Whats this all about, Larry?"
 He knew he could trust her He had to trust her now. He told her the entire story, beginning with Hugh's search for narcotics smug- glers, ending with his own witt messing of what he believed a delivery of narcotics shipment Monnie listened in silence.
 50 you see. darling" Larry concluded, i've got to have proof I'm staying out here at night, hop ing that plane will come again Then maybe we'll find out just who Is running this ring, discover who killed Hugh"
 But, Larry'-she clung to him -"they might kill you, too. Why don't you forget all about this2 We can go back east-you can go back to your newspaper job."
 He shook his head. No, Mon- nie. I've started this, and I'm going to finish 1t. Someone killed Hugh. I don't know who, or how 1t was done. I'm going to find out"
 And Mike - do you think he's mixed up in it?"
 I'm not sure. think 50. He has some unknown source of money. He doesn't sell many cat- tie, only a few of the horses he raises. He makes too many trips by plane. His landing field may be a blind to permit the ring to operate here.
 No drugs are sold in this area. This Is only a distributing point. They're brought in from the south- west, then shipped on to northern and eastern cities. The ring is un- doubtedly part of a nation wide outfit. Colonel Harris, chief of the highway partol. assigned Hugh the job of hunting the gang down, after
 
 federal authorities suggested the highway patrol take a hand. Mar cotic hunts aren't usually included in the highway patrols work. No one would suspect patrolman was looking for dope smugglers. And If he found them, there are always several other patrol officers in this area whom he could call on for help.
 This search has been going on for months. Harris gave me the chance to go on with Hugh's work There may be other officers in this area, posing as tramps, farmers, or even working with the gang. all trying to get the evidence that will convict the leader of the narcotics smugglers. I can't quit now, Mon- nie-not even for you"
 T understand, Larry. I'll wait But you will be careful"
 He laughed, kissed her lightly. Unf nAprea Tp1t ha narafs1I Anu