The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-11-06

Miss Stevens were riding was
 hit head on by Q truck which
 was out of control. Laird was
 knocked unconscious but rec
 duired no hospital attention. ."
 
 Landers dropped the paper and wiped his forehead. There" he sighed. There almost went States l94l season."
 "wheres Pete nowa" Anne's face was white.
 Doesn't say" replied Landers. "Just says he wasn't hurt seriously"
 "Whered he find this Stevens damep" interposed Lester.
 Dugan silenced him with Q glance,
 "Shes his sick grandmother" cried Anne bitterly. She turned on her heel to. walk away.
 Easy, Anpe." Landers grasped her arm. "Give him Q chance to do his own explaining"
 Anne turned around and faced him squarely. Perhaps you're right, George," she conceded, "but I'm so ashamed. Sitting around here like some little doll in @ china shop. Help me get my things together" she added, land let's hope he can ex- plain"
 He helped her Into a cab. "see you Tuesday," she said with a half hearted wave. And thanks for standing by" The cab pulled away.
 Landers showed his hands Into his pockets and clumped back into the lobby. Dugan was waiting, T won- der where our guest of honor is?" He was looking Into the crowded banquet hall.
 probably with this Stevens" Landers said bitterly, but I wouldn't bother him tonight, Coach, He gets sort of riled when people butt into his personal affairs"
 "If he thinks this football team Is his personal affair."" Dugan snapped, "he's got another guess coming"
 What are we going to tell the wolves in there, CoachP"
 What can we say2" retorted Du- gan uncomfortably. They've seen the papers. Tell them MT. Laird was unavoidably detained. They'll really 90 for that. Some of them drove 200 miles today to see the game and hear Laird say Q couple of words"
 They walked Into the banquet hall together.
 Meanwhile, Pete Laird was in e Whirl. He had been thrown against the side of the car and had received . painful bump on the head. Police had taken their names, but they fled in e cab before reporters ar- rived.
 Stephanie leaned over, loosened his Iecktie and opened his collar "oh, Pete" she cooed, I'm so sorry this had to happen"
 I'm all right" he assured her, but I'm afraid your chauffeur's in Q pretty bad way"
 "Yes. I'm afraid so too, They took him to 6 hospital
 Laird's head throbped, and he ran his hand over Q painful knob on his skull. It felt wet and sticky.
 You're bleeding" Stephanie cried as he pulled his hand away.
 "Just Q little cut. Hit my head against the door, I guess"
 She propped his head on her arm and drew quite close. Suddenly, inc petuously, he put his arms around her, pulled her close and kissed her tenderly.
 She did not protest. There was no indignant why did you do that2" or Please, stopl" as he had expect. cd. That must be reserved for col. lege girls, he decided. He grinned, and she smiled back.
 I'm glad you did that" she said simply. "I-wanted you to-"
 They arrived at her home, and he gaped at sumptuous grounds, a rambling English style house, an in. viting swimming pool.
 Not bad" he said admiringly.
 "Thanks," she replied. T like It."
 Two men ran out of the open doorway to meet the cab, One wore 6 tweed coat with Q polo shirt and scarf. Words poured from his mouth.
 "Steph, baby |. t. are you all rightP What a scarel Rand and I have been worried sick. We heard 1t on the radio. You're O. K., aren't you, baby? You're"
 "Yes, Larry" she interrupted with some annoyance, I'm alive, in one piece, and still paying you IS per cent, so take 1t easy. MT. Laird, meet my agent, Mir. Winship."
 well, hello, Laird" said Winship. Say, this is nice. Brother, you were the berries today. What football playerl I thought Orv Mohler was pretty fair, but that run of yours"
 Cut 1t, Larry" interposed Ste- phanie curtly. Mir. Laird isn't in- terested and we've heard It."
 Winship smiled at the rebuke with little concern, but he stopped.
 And this is Sterling Rand, my producer, Pete" said Stephanie of a short, dapper chap in chalk stripes. Impeccably dressed and well-groomed, Rand was the epitoine of how most men would like to look.
 Splendid game today, Laird," he said, holding out his hand. Best single handed job I've seen."
 Winship had been quiet too long. Well, folksies," he said ingratiating- ly, "how's about 6 little touGh? yUhot t'lI xoai have Laird = Scntch