Evening star., 1940-12-09

~S~A0SAy
into the kitchen chair and then he
pounding his fist on the table with
feverish emphasis He was comm
after me. I'd been drinkin' OF and
on all evenin'. He met me down
at the corner and 1t made me mad.
I knew ne had his-his pay and I
wanted him to give me some more
money to 60 back and win back
what I'd lost. He wouldn't. We sort
of-struggled, and I showed him.
This car was comm and he stag
gered right in front of 1t. Now
she's arrested and if-Pa-dies-Il
have to tell how it was" He came
to his feet, hands clenched, a look of
resolution on his weak face. I'm
goin' now. can't stand it,
mo, Tom," Miss Mills said, push
ing him into the chair again. Look.
If your father dies you'd be arrested
for murder, or manslaughter, or
something's don't know what the
charge would be. Anyway, you
know what your reputation is.
You've been arrested before. You'd
get sent away for a long time. Tom.
But Janet Storm, she's pretty, and
besides that, Tom, she and Larry
Carvel are engaged to be married.
Shed get of. You know she would.
Mr.. Carvel's prosecuting attorney
and besides look at the influence
he has. You haven't a chance, Tom,
and she has"
Miss Mills Urges Silence.
you really think"
Don't tell a soul Stick to the
story you already told and every
thing will turn out all right. I'm
sure it will. I'd hate to see you get
sent away for IS or 80 years, maybe
life. What would Tina do? You owe
it to her, Tom. to keep quiet. She
wouldn't have any one. For Tinas
sake, keep quiet"
His eyes wavered. "All right" he
said. Il will, for Tina's sake" He
was quite convinced, she could see,
that he was doing the right thing,
because 1t was what he wanted to
be convinced Of.
Stephen was still waiting In the
hospital reception room when Janet
came. She walked in quietly. Her
dark eyes were troubled, her face
white and pinched. but she smiled
at him family Thanks for ar
ranging everything" she said.
He came and stood close to her,
anxiously studying the lines Of mis-
cry etched in her face He couldn't
think of anything to say appropri-
ate to the place and moment. There
were a million things he wanted to
say to her, but this wasn't the time
or place.
She stared out Of the window
Hadn't you better sit down and
rest?" he suggested gently.
I'D rather not" she whispered.
II don't think III ever-rest-again.
Not If he dies-anyway."
Look" he said. "You-you Just
can't 60 to pieces this way You
committed no crime, really. 1t could
have happened to any one. It was
an accident"
We'll, at least you believe in me-"
she said wistfully.
Il do believe in you"
Janet Bares Heart.
This might never have happened
If I had come to my sense sooner
1t took this dreadful thing to bring
everything into its proper focus.
Things have turned out badly be-
cause I couldn't understand that
there are some things you can't
stop believing in, even if you want
to-"
Stephen took her hands tenderly.
MY dear"
You're the only friend I've got.
Stephen, the only one that will
stand by me"
But surely, Larry-the man you
love-"
Il don't love Larry she admitted
slowly Il never did And if he
loved me he'd be here now, wouldn't
hep"
Janet, last night" he began. His
hands frightened on hers.
There were voices in the hall at
that moment and he released her
hands as they both turned
"Oh, Stephen!" Miss Mills cried
shrilly from the doorway. ste
phen!' She flung herself toward
him. Tina and Tom followed her.
Stephen" her voice rang hys-
terically, "Tinas been so brave
and Tom. too"
Yes, I'm sure they have" Ste
phen said. Il knew Tina would