The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-02-14

old tragedies and despise narrow
minds when he returned TO SNUG
Kings Row.
County Nurseries, and a woman OF
affairs.
The inside of the Presbyterian
church was most pleasant. 1t was
very high, and tall slender WIN
doWs of colored glass reached far
up to the curved ceiling behind
the graceful sweep of gallery. The
windows were open today, and
puffs of warm air came in.
Mrs. Curley turned and smiled
subdued greeting to Madame
Won Elm, and the old banker
turned also and bowed gravely
sideWise.
Paris caught sight of Drake
McHugh across the aisle with his
aunt and uncle, Mrs. Livingstone
and the major. Drake leaned for
ward and made eager, unintelligi-
BILE signs, but his aunt tapped on
his knee with her gloved, fingers
and he subsidized.
On the far side of the church,
in the little-used north section OF
seats, Paris saw CLEAN of cop
per curls. 1t was Cassandra and
her mother. He couldn't remem-
Der ever. having seen them at
church before.
The service seemed intermin-
able. Paris knew that DR.. Mac
kay preached exactly an hour, and
he felt at the beginning of the
sermon that he could not possibly
bear it. Maybe he would get sick.
That would be terrible. Everyone
would look at him. He swallowed
hard at the thought and wriggled
desperately. Then he dozed.
He was startled by stir and
rustic. 1t sounded as loud as thun-
der. He opened his eyes. Then he
flushed very red and sat looking
into the depths of Mr.. Curley's
silk hat. He hoped no one had
seen him asleep.
The whole congregation bowed
and the lovely words of the bene-
diction faded into whispering
cadence across their heads IL. I'm
the name of the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost, Amen"
Drake McHugh was squeezing
through the outgoing crowd. Par
ris!" The sibilant sound carried
sharply. Hist! Wait a minute
outside, will you? I want to see
you. Oh, good morn - good day,
Madame. Uncle Rhodes and Aunt
Mamie said could Paris stay in
town and eat dinner with us and
stay this afternoon"
why certainly, If you want
him to-"
The group walked slowly out of
church. Now send him home If
he bothers you," Madame smiled
at the Livingstones.
The Livingstones lived near the
Presbyterian church. Paris thought
this must be very convenient and
pleasant, but Drake did not regard
it as an advantage.
Drake McHugh was an orphan,
to, and lived with his aunt and
uncle, both of whom we're as old
as Madame Won Elm. Drake said
that when he was 81 he would
inherit his money. Paris had
heard people say it was too bad
that Drake had to grow up with
out parents. He could not imagine
why they said this. He had no
parents either and he was very
happy. He often thought that it
would be very strange to have a
father and mother. He was sure
he could never have loved either
of them as much as he loved his
grandmother. 1t would have been
too bad, he decided, for her not
to have had HIM all to herself.
After dinner Mrs. Livingstone
retired for a nap, and the Major
sat on the front porch smoking.
"C'mon, Paris, let's go down
in the back where it's shady"
They sat on the grass, some
what stunned with food, but max
ing the effort at conversation
which seemed always somewhat
difficult on Sunday visits.
Il hate Sundays, don't you?"
Drake threw a stick at a tall
mullen stalk.
"Why?"
| Gee, they won't let me do