The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-05-02
CHAPTER XVI

Carolyn was at telephone. @Hello! Hello, Ken? Listen Ken, I've got to talk to somebody. I-I want you to be my guest at lunch . No, I'll pay or won't gol asked you first, and I'm famished,"
 She liked Ken Palmer immense -ly. Good old Ken. He earned all of the ~$l35 2 month he got, keep ing books. Once that had been 945 more than her own salary. Now, though she was in fan- tastic sort of job where money and work and = yes, adventure = were all too plentiful. She had to be nice to Ken.
 They met in Grosso's, favored side street spot, and as she her. self had warned him, Carol-u was full of conversation. Sht ktalked between salad bites. But she talked intelligently.
 ''Ken, don't ever tell soul" she admonished, but our little trick worked to a T! My hunch was right. Somebody did try to get that shipment. Robbed the freight train and stole the dummy box"
 He was excited. II saw the papers this morning. Tried to call you. doshl"
 "Yes. It's a good thing we sub- stituted rocks. Bob is so grateful he was in tears. The--stuif-the chemicals. I mean, were rather valuable to him. Ken, will you take pay for that2 A reward2"
 His lips frightened. She hastened on.
 T know you won't. I didn't mean to hurt you, Ken"
 Carolyn, I'd do anything for you. Alwaysl'
 She dropped her eyes, and ans- .wered that in a low tone T know It.. Now I think I'd better tell you something. Something im- portant."
 Surely" e,4
 "Ken, I love Bob Hale. I'm of the deep endl"
 NsHer eyes filled with tears then and he saw 1t when she lifted iler head. Ken didn't say anything for a long while, but his face was R study. He had stopped eating. Finally he nodded ever so slowly. "All right" he whispered, "1m glad you told me, Carolyn. These things-have to bel"
 They understood each other: they didn't need to talk. Both knew Ken had loved her and hadn't ever said so in words.
 Ken, you're the incest some- body in the world"
 He nodded again. q understand. won't forget, Tn fact, Carolyn, l already knew"
 You knew?"
 "Yep. A man isn't blind. You let little things slip. And no Wo- man would do what you have been doing for him unless -- unless -- Well, power to himl And Carolyn, I'll always be around. Always!"
 She wanted to cry then.
 She wanted to hug Ken and kiss him in sheer admiration and sym pathy, but she ate silently for two minutes or more to cover her emotions. You can't just break down and bawl in restaurant, she told herself.
 "Ken." she began anew, pres ently, things are going to change for me. I might as well tell you that Bob Hale loves somebody else" He doess Why the poor stu pid--l"
 Hush. It's partly sympathy for her. But she is handsome! And scheming. And Bob Is 500 deeply involved in his work right now that he is--is- Oh, I've got to take any initiative, Ken! See what ! mean?
 He is completely unselfish. No touch of conceit. It's why I love him, guess. could make him so happyl But he's blind. He trusts everybody. He's a genius and they're like that, I suppose. But he's hungry for love and he re- veals 1t when he is given half chance, Ken! Sometimes I just Want 70 klQndp AlmI
 She was becoming Q bit vehe- inent and she realized 1t. I'm be- gang shameless. Forgive me, won't you? And just let me talk myself out"
 , Eat your lunch" he command ed, practically. T think you need at. You're jittery." T do need 1t. But I'm going away" She suddenly squeezed his hand. "A million thanks, boy friend. And goodbyl" z. She got up abruptly and left him, paying both checks at the desk. He thought he understood why; her eyes had gone misty again. He didn't follow her.
 She went Immediately to find pr. Hale ct state police headquarters,