The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-03-24

Y Al,A ' " aaAl1a ! reading them. This flnlahed him, TOO late for Paris to help, or
 He scrawlOd c note. Then he opened the lowest desk drawer and took out c revolver. Ike arose and walked Into the lavatory and closed the door.
 Fulmer Green sat opposite Paris His face was wet with precipitation
 T don't know where you got all this, unless 1t was from that stinking Peyton Graves, but 4 you think you can scare me"
 You are scared, People like you always are scared whenever they're found out. You were Q nasty, cowardly boy in school afraid to jump on anybody until you had c gang behind you. So- ciety always has Q few like you
 Fulmer tried to laugh, but his mouth was dry.
 "FNllmef, The Evening Chronicel will publish O full retraction oi that acusation of last year. I'll furnish you with the correct data The retraction won't be editorial It will be over your signature"
 fl won't do 1t You're 0 fool Paris Mitchell" ...
 Would you rather Miles Jack son published 1t In his paper9"
 'The Qazette-you mean"
 "Of course. Do you think I'll let you do this to me, and do nothing about it2 Incidentally, I had a little talk with the governor last week. He seems an honest sort oi man."
 Ftilmer was red as fire, but he said nothing for moment,
 "Al right, but"
 "There aren't any 'buts'. Just write 1t and have 1t In my hands tomorrow after breakfast. You'll get 1t back in time for the paper
 The telephone rang; It's faint tinkle contraSted with the tense atmosphere of the room, Parrls answered.
 Hello Yes Whatp When7 l see. Yes, I'll come on down. Oh, Q note to me2 All right, I'll be along in Ave minutes"
 He replaced the receiver.
 "Fhllmerl"
 "Yeh,"
 "peyton Graves shot himself a few minutes ago"
 Fulmer's eyes stretched wide.
 Did you have anything to do with this7"
 What do you meanp"
 "Peyton was afraid about solne- thing"
 T haven't done anything to Peyte Graves"
 T hope you are telling the truth. Come on, you're going with me"
 Fulmer looked anxiously ct Par ris, but Paris face was set and expressionleSs. Fulmer followed him rather neekly.
 Paris spent much of his free time with Drake and Randy, who were busted with their purchase and development of the Crescent Hill properties. DrakG'S mind. Paris felt, had completely recovered from old wounds. He was confident, happy his selfesteaza restored.
 Even more often iaN saw the Sanders. He had begun to feel that the comfortable, mellow old house was home again. Often MT. Sander spoke of his work.
 I'm a practical horticulturlst, Now your scientists - these wi2- ards - I do not do anything like that. First of ell, that iS not my job."
 "What is your job, exactly7"
 TO improve the common breed"
 Paris considered this, and re. peated the phrase slowly. TO improve -the-commo mon-breed."
 "Yes. Exactly. But you under stand--Nke this: to make an im- provement on ell fronts of ad- Vancement ct once."
 No don't understand yeu ct all"
 Like this. work with c species of-of bean, let us say. I work to make Q few more pods, each pod 6 little larger, to make fewer leaves maybe, to adopt the plant to Q par- ticular climate, to make it q little harder, maybe 6 little quicker to fiower-many points like that. Just practical improvement of vegeta- bles, that's all"
 ITO improve the common breedI" Paris said the words again, rather dreamily.
 Elise studied his face. Tt would be good if somebody would do this for human beings"
 T was thinking just that"
 Sometimes Paris plodded about the familiar fields and slopes with sandor. Sometimes they talked, But more often these excursions were silent. Sandor was intent on his subjects. Paris dreamed, or remembered. Out of all of his new association with every familiar corner of the old place something was coming back to him. Piece by piece, little by little, Q reconstruc- ton was taking place. He began to gain perspective he had not had.
 In his attitude and in his ad- justment to his own increasing world, and even in the external manifestations of his personality, the intentions and purposes of