The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-05-17
CHAPTER v

knows he won't be-" She broke of abruptly. "chrls, you're mol going soft on me2"
 The old reckless look fiickeref in his eyes, Count on old Chris topher oil the way, Kilo" h' grinned.
 No, Chrlsl" Paula cried. But she knew it wasn't any use.
 Tn the days that followed Paula'' interview with Van Horn she saw little of either Chris or Tony, The imminence of final exams had cut social activity to a minimum Lights burned late in campus win. doWS and the process of looming up" was underway.
 Even the sweetland, where Paula strolled one evening, hele only q few students. They, like herself, were having coffee be. tween study sessions. Tony Bealt was among them,
 "Too long no see, Paula," he said.
 She laughed. "Thcy ought tc put q sign over Cardman Arch Concentration Camp Everybody'f doing It."
 Except Chris" Tony said. "All his night work is strictly slim blond and perilous. Chris Is q bril. liant guy, but I wonder If he can spend his time fooiing with stuff like this and make the grader"
 Tony laid nnimeographcd sheet on the table. Clever, incisive, it attacked the "snobbery" of Greek letter societies. The style was un- mistakably Wcntrlch's.
 "T'hiS stuff Is all over" Tony said. I found one under my door"
 Someone dropped a nickel in the luke box. Paula leaned close to Tony to make herself heard. He wore an old green sport coat and q gray shirt open at the throat The stout, good smell Of pipe smoke fingered in hls clothing.
 Irony. what do you make Of the Lcaguc7"
 He shrugged. Naturally I've heard ruinors, but ."
 But you don't believe them Paula finished approvingly. Thy wouldn't, she thought. He was not tho sort to listen to campus gossip. Hc would go his own quiet way, minding his own business letting someone else stir up trouble "T'ony, we ought to be sure .
 "ft'S not our affair."" Tony said
 Maybe you're right, but W, can't let Chris make q mess ol things. We've been pals too long the three of us,"
 T'ony'S hand came across the table to cover Paula's. Ills gaze was hungry. Paula, anything you say goes with me-"
 Paula stood up, determination in her hazel eyes. "T'he other day l mGde H promise, Tony. Well, intend to keep it. We're going tc pr. Lud for help"
 Martin Lud lived In q bungalow at the edge of the campus. A spin. ster sister kept house for him, but he was alone when Paula and Tony arrived.
 "T'hiS is c welcome interrup. tion," he said. shaking hands with Tony and smiling at Paula. He led them Into the book filled study and indicated comfortable chairs Youth Is an infrcqucnt visitor here"
 Paula went straight to the point "Wo've come about Chris"
 "young Wcntrich2" Lud plucked at his close cropped mustache "Fiery young rascal, but l like him, Too much energy, too many ideals; know the type ." Lud seemed to be thinking aloud start them out wrong and they never recover Is Wentrich in trouble2"
 No" Paula admitted, "but we're afraid he will be-"
 Tony spoke for the first time. "l guess we sound like q couple oi old grandmothers, but |"
 Suppose you both relax and tell mo about It," Lud smiled "smoke your pipe, Tony; I'll Joir you"
 Tony, with a sigh of relief, lil his big briar, A fire was laid ir the grate and Lud touched a match to it. Tony shifted to face the Are. place and sat close to Paula. The flames shone and danced on hcf bronze hair.
 Its easier to talk now" Paula said.
 Lud rolled his cigar slowly be- tween his lips, "rell me about Wentrich."
 You talk, paulie," Tony sighed his eyes on her hair. T just want to sit and x"
 Lud coughed. Perhaps I made the setting too romantic?"
 "Of course notl" Paula said blushing, but she was conscious of Tonys nearness. pr Lud, Chris is getting in pretty deep with the &cague"
 I'm not surprised" Lud said with froWn. "Wentrich'S the Kind who has to be fighting for or against something. He needs a Cause. Makes little difference what it is, just so it's an outlet for his emotions"
 "You you think it's all right then for Chris to-"
 T do notl' Lud said bluntly. sAn organization of n-fraternity members is not in Itself objection able, but when 1t tries to suppress those 1t dlslikes Well, 1t has forced Dr. Van Horn into dicta- torial role. He had no choice but to act as he did"
 "Why?"
 Paula gasped at the bluntness of Tony's query.
 Lud hesitated. That. Tony, is a question you shouldn't have asked"
 "f'm sorry, pr. Lud."
 Apology accepted" Lud smiled. "Hut now that you've asked it, I'm aetsty kA maaurae ffua haaa 0a.