The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-27
MARY REVEALS A SECRET
CHAPTER V

CHAPTER V Dr. Connolly paused in the door, way, watching the sobbing girl. His heart was full of pity Tor the lonely child, without a relative near to share the happiness of Christmas. f Mary" He spoke softly, so not to startle her. Whats the matter, child?"
 "ohl" The dark head jerked up from the pillow, red-rimmed eyes spilling tears down her cheeks. "Oh, Doctor Connellyl"
 He was beside her then, his arms enfolding her, shutting out the hurt, his voice quieting her tangled nerves, just as he had so often soothed the pain and troubles of his own daughters. @There there Go ahead and cry 1t out. Best medicine in the world for you."
 Gradually the girls hysteria passed. Finally she looked up at him, dabbing at her eyes with a soaked linen square, and managed to smile when he handed her his own huge handkerchief.
 ''Now, what's this all about? Too much Christmas?" he prompt ed.
 T guess that was it. Seeing all your family so happy together. I just couldn't stand it any longer. had to get away :"
 We were thoughtdessly cruel"
 "Oh, mol" Mary refused to let him blame himself. T loved it, all of it. You all have been SO good to me, including me ill your Christmas. I even imagined I &C., tually belonged that I wasn't really an outsider. Then, when I realized"
 What made you--?' The doctor began, stopped abruptly, switched to an entirely different subject. I've just come back from the hos pital and I'm half starved. How about joining me in a raid on the icebox? There's cold turkey, I'm sure"
 But I look so terrible"
 He ignored the protest. There should be a mince pie around somewhere. Ideal for nightmares. Come on, now. hate eating alone. If you won't join me, I'll have to wake Martha
 Mary hurried to the dressing table, ran a comb through her tangled curls, dusted her cheeks lightly with powder. For the first time. Dr. Connolly noticed that she still had on the dress she had worn at dinner. Evidently she had been weeping, or fighting tears, since she left the family group. He smiled, wisely as ne recalled her sudden departure.
 The doctor had been right about the cold turkey. There was plenty of t, and cranberry sauce, too. Mary fixed sandwiches and he made coffee. He drew upon an endless fund of amusing, personal anecdotes to keep her entertained while they ate, successfully restoring Mary to her normal, happy mood. For the time, at least, the emotional storm had passed.
 '"That was almost as good as the Christmas dinner" he said as the last of the pie disappeared. Should keep me awake - coffee and two pieces of pie Never found anything yet that could keep me awake when had a chance to sleep" He filled pipe, lighted 1t and puffed contentedly as Mary cleared the table. Let the dishes go until morning"
 They'll only take minute .. No. you can't help You look entirely too contented to dry dishes.' Somehow, though he managed to evade her protests, found dish towel.
 You're senior this year, aren't you?" he asked, making conversation. What do you intend doing after graduation?"
 T had planned to work with medical group in China. I'm ma joring in bacteriology, you know" Mary explained. "There's so much to be done there Dad was sta- tioned in Shanghai for three years. He started me on he idea. Jerry says should go on in medicine, though :"
 "Too bad he can't prescribe some of that for himself"
 Mary busted herself with the dishes, said nothing.
 
 Whats wrong with this boy of miner" the doctor asked. You know him prety well, don't you? And this girl he wants to marry. If you were in love with him, Mary would you want him to quit medi- cine, with only a little more to go2"
 A plate slipped from her hands, clattered into the sink. Mary caught it, laughing at her clumsi- ness. She kept her eyes on the dishpan. No If were in love with Jerry" she spoke slowly - '.Iid never marry him until he finished school and his intern-