The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-05-24
CHAPTER VIII

Monnie was silent, wanting 10
believe Larry, but unable 10 COM
pYehend how he could be 10 sure
that Hugh had not been drinking.
Larry went on:
Hugh never drank, and he
wasn't drunk that night, regard
less OF what the coroner said he
found" He was certain OF that.
MY uncle was q drunkard, and
Dad never got over ". When
Hugh and ! were youngsters, Dad
explained that we might have q
taste for liquor and he hated II 30
that both Hugh and promised
never 10 drink. We might have
forgotten that promise made as
boys, but Dad was Killed the next
day. Hugh would never have
broken his word 10 Dad"
III II weren't for this drinking
angle, I'd think Hugh deliberate.
ly drove of the cliff 10 avoid rum
ming into you- But " he'd been
drunk, he wouldn't have done
that. somcone knows more about
that whiskey bottle In Hughs car
and I'm going 10 And out who II
II, and where that bottle came
from"
but $50 you don't blame me for
what ! did," Monnie ventured,
"and for not telling the whole
truth ut the inquest"
Ills arms were around her, pull
ING her close 10 him, She did not
reidgt.
II couldn't blame you for any
thing you've done, Monnie," Larry
treasured her. you didn't kill
Hugh. Either he killed himself,
or But you had no part IN II.
NIS lips brushed her soft, black
hair. She looked up at him.
" wanted you 10 say that,
Larry. You have 10 believe me-"
TIC bent 10 kiss her lips
jerked back abruptly, Jumped 10
his feet. Surprised, half angry
her eyes demaded On explana.
tion.
"1've stu got o Job TO do, find-
ing out about Hugh" he said
shortly. i've no right TO even
think about you until that's fin.
ished. Please understand" He
turned, walked quickly from the
porch without waiting for her TO
answer. Halfway TO the bunk
house he heard her call:
Larry"
He hurried on.
He did not stop ut the bunk
house, but went on 10 the corral.
The black whinnied as he APP
preached. The horse was his fav-
orite now. Larry sat In the
shadow OF the saddle house, smoked
half o dozen cigarets as he studied
the story OF Monnie had told him.
He hoped, although he would
not admit 1t, that the girl might
follow him. He was sure, how
ever, that her pride would not let
her. When he glanced toward the
big house, the spot Of white on
the porch had disappeared. There
was q light In Monnies room. He
wondered what had happened TO
Bentley. Evidently ne had been
delayed longer than he had
planned.
The black whinnied again. The
horse was restless, probably be-
cause he was In the corral, Larry
decided. The moon. rising late,
shed q pale cold Light over the
hayhook. With characteristic
abruptness, Larry decided to take |
q look at Dead Mans Curve.
II took only O couple Of minutes.
He would save time going horse
back, rather than driving his car,
and he could ride along the canyon
hoor or the highway as ne chose.
Just what he hoped to find, Larry
was not sure, but he wanted to see
Dead Mans Curve-now.
The black settled into q long
canter as Larry left the ranch
headquarters. An hour later, he
sat on top the promontory over.
looking the scene of Hugh's fatal |
accident.
To the right Q white ribbon Of |
concrete stretched eastward to.
ward Bentley's house. Mixes
house, he know, was about five
miles away. Nearer, In the same
direction, an airplane beacon swung
round and round, flashing a PEN |