The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-11
Quick Farewell to Ogden

i Us Sic GApCCVCu Inn w ~
Denny caught up with Carole.
"Wait. Peace hasn't thanked you
for the papoose. Tell me, has tnat
old geezer been trying to sell you
an oil well?"
mo. We Hollywood people are
wise. Get baskets fun OF nimfiem-
But frankly I'm worried about MRS.
King. She's practically abandoned
me. Feel as If I ought to protect her.
she's so gullible. And carelessl Now
she's lost her husbands last gift
an expensive, gold cigaret case"
Back In the car, Peace sat feed
ing the cactus candy alternately TO
her Indian doll and Darby and Joan,
finishing the peaces herself.
Denny stared at mountains and
desert. The dry river beds intrigued
him. Like a beautiful woman In
capable Of love.
"Don't look like that" Rhoda
coaxed. II haven't Tilted you, as
my aunt would say But I may ask
for a little more time. Denny"
cts up to you, my dead" He
must not show his eagerness, his
growing lack Of confidence in their
engagement. He closed his eyes.
Rhoda began scribbling on the back
of q magazine. Peace was safe in
the seat with him.
The wheels sang q lullaby. He
could see Carole's face, with its
honeyed curls and sea green eyes.
He dozed.
Denny came to with o terrific
Jolt. He felt that a giant had
wrenched every bone in his body.
Staccato cries followed the silence.
The train had stopped. Was 1t a
wreck?
"Rhoda! Peace!" he called, then
shouted again, his voice rising above
the others. Neither was in the seat
where they'd been :. was 1t min
ute before?"
pipe down." yelled a man. mo
body's hurt. Either bumped into
something or run of the track. Our
cars okay." =.
peace! Rhoda!" Denny pushed
through the struggling line Of pas
sengers heading for the door, all
trying to escape before the car
caught fire or something. Caleb
Ogden passed him, jostling him
with a suitcase. He did not speak,
but Denny heard Peace shrill above
the clamor:
wait, Mr.. Ogden. Joan's losted!"
In bound Denny reached the
vestibule of the forward car and
had the child in his arms. "You all
right, honey?"
She struggled to get away. you'll
step on poor Joany. I can't find
Joany" He carried her out, willy
nlly. to the safety of the sand.
ut wasn't a wreck!" 1.-THE trains
on the track" What was 1t stopped
for?" who stopped it," The ques-
tons increased in the crowd outside.
Denny could see Rhoda's heather
suit up ahead. And beyond her, Mrs.
King, frantically waving and calling
to a man with bag. Ogden?
But you'll get lost, Caleb"
screamed Mrs. King, as Denny
came abreast. "Oh, stop him,
somebody! You, Mr.. Dennis. He'll
die out there In the desert"
Running little way forward,
Denny cupped his hands: ogden!
Come backl" But the flying figure
did not halt.
"He said no more trains for him.
This Is his second wreck, poor man.
oh, dear" walled Mrs. King. II
haven't got his address,"
Hes all right. See . isn't that
car? Sure 1t Is" Denny comforted.
But have you seen Miss Love? I
haven't" He put Peaces hand IN
hers. Hang onto her while find
Caroie."
Weeping, Mrs. King started back
towards the crowd Of passengers
who were being directed back onto
the train.
Somebody pulled the emergency.
The conductors furious" pas
senger volunteered.
whoever did 1t was crazy. Me, I
took a header in the AISLE" wheezed
a fat man.
The conductor was questioning
the crew, and the crew was looking
over the train. Everything appeared
to be in good shape, and nobody
knew anything.
"All abo-o-o-o-o-oard"
"Me lost Joany!" howled Peace.
Johnny who?" demanded the
conductor. "Your boy, madame"
Mrs. King let go Peace's hand
and grasped her beads nervously.
"It's all right. conductor. Just a
turtle. But that man running down
the track-see? Near that automo-
bile-he was on the train"
Bet he pulled the brake. But
why-out here in the desert?
Abo-o-oard everybody! know who
he WASP"
"Ogden-Caleb Ogden from Texas,
he told us. Got on at Chicago, I
think. An oil man. En- route to Los
Angeles.
Funny business. All abo-oard!
Step lively, please"
Rhoda and Carole both came up
to where Denny was standing.
where's the infant?" Rhoda de-