The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-02-15
CHAPTER Xxx

doorbell furiollSly. Where was Ling!
Where was everybody? Here she
had arrived ahead of time to sur
prise the family and none Of them
were here. She fished in her purse
for a key, but couldn't find It,.
while she was still rummagtng, Ling
opened the door. -.
I've been ringing 10 minutes, "
she exclaimed. 'You and Henry"
nodding to the chauffeur, bring In
ony bags"
As a matter of fact she had been
at the door less than three min
utes when Ling opened it, but he
made allowances. He had learned
to take Mrs. Donovan philosophi-
cally.
"Your telegram came, Meesah
Donovan out" he explained. "His
office hear from the Captain. They
have Henry meet YOU"
Where's my SOM" Mrs. Dono-
van demanded, taking off her
gloves and casting a critical eye
around the entrance hall as If
suspecting that half the furniture
might have been spirited away
during her absence.
'Meesah Dan, he upstairs" an
swered Ling laconically. HE rest
ing"
Ling didn't add that Dan had
been out all night and that when
he did return at half-past four
he still had on his dinner clothes.
Nor did he mention Dams picture
in the evening newspaper, on the
table beneath Mrs. Donovan's
"Poor boy" Mrs. Donovan's
voice was tender. "He wears
himself out" She picked up her
purse and the paper and, starting
toward the elevator, glanced abb
systematically at the headlines.
Garry my things up to my
ROOM" she began, stu looking at
tho headlines, "snd tell susette to
unpack-" She stopped. GOOD
heavens, what's thisl Dan Dono-
van keeps lovelorn vigil for beau
tiful model OH"
She Topped down on chair
"Call Dan! Call Susette. I'm going
to faint" Ling scampered off, re-
turning moment later with a
glass Of whisky and wet towel.
II call MESSIAH Dan, Susette," he
cried. "They come now, quick"
His usually impassive manner was
gone.
LET me see the paper again"
murmured Mrs. Donovan, weakly.
Better drink first" cautioned
Ling.
In his excitement he had
poured Katie Donovan a whole
tumbler Of whiskey. Ordinarily,
she didn't take more than one
coctail or liqueur because 1t al
ways went to her head. But she
gulped half the glass of whiskey
down, as she read in detail the
story about Dan, and the rest OF
the drink when she flung the pa
per to the floor.
That's bad, that's bad" she
kept repeating indistinctly, as the
liquor began to take effect. Dan
keeps vigil. What vigil?"
BY the time Dan and the mail
got there. Katie was drunk.
'Mother!" Dan took one look
at her. you're as tight as a
tick" He turned angrily to Ling
"What in thunder happened?"
She read piece bout you In
paper. I gave her drink. She
took 1.-TWO swallows" Ling sing
songed.
Mrs. Donovan shook her finger
at Dan. "Don't keep vigil, my
boy, don't keep vigil" She swayed
uncertainty on the chair. Lies
sing that"
Dan held his aching head in
his hands. What we're the Dono-
vans coming to? NO matter which
way he looked at 1t, the fault was
his. Susette pressed a cold cloth
against Katie's forehead.
Get a cup of black Coffee
she Kissed to Ling, Strong"
And a quart Of tomato Juice,
added Dan. He glanced at his
own reflection in a mirror, a
disheveled figure in his blue silk
robe, hair rumpled, dabs of court
plaster spotting his face. well,
we can't let her stay here" He
eyed his mother. She was sing
ing, If you could call it that.
watch it," he cried. "She's
going out" He caught her as she
4wayed, then sagged, a lump Of
Lead in his arms.
"'You take her feet" he directed
Susete. "I1l manage her head
and shoulders. If we can get her
to the elevator"
They were almost in front Of
the elevator when Mike walked in.
What in the name of the
saints?" he exclaimed at sight of
his wife, supported by Dan and
{ Suzette.
! Katie opened her eyes. Hello,
nike, me darlint. Whoopee!"
Mike stared incredulously. why,
katie Donovan" he said reproach-
fully. you're as drunk as q lord"
"And its all my fault, Dad
Danes tone was hopeless.
Nike ran across to help Dan.
On the way ne picked up the
evening paper from the floor, alb
sellt-mindedly stuffing it in his
Docket. wen get her to bed"
he told Dan sharply, then III
Rear the story"
But he didn't follow his own adj
sWhen did she get baek2" be bel.
'nwod as he and Dan ana huseLse
erngeled into tho elevator VAIN
Katie. -.
4 dont KNOW sid nsn.