The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-08-30
COPYRIGHT. ieAA. NEA SERVICE. INC.

rope" He held his nose sug- positively.
 "All right, all right" the chief admitted his defeat with good natured grunt, just don't let it get around"
 "If you'd like your chair"
 T would provide you find the energy to take your feet of the desk" He draped his coat care fully over chair and took of his hat before hc turned around. Finally he sighed, almost inaud- ibly. No luck again, Dave. Un- less"
 unless what?" Dave was all ears.
 Did you ever hear of George Randi"
 The blunt question puzzled Dave for a moment, then he shook his head. He never had heard of the man.
 Me, too," Blair said caustically. and went on to relate what had happened that morning.
 The Express office was strangely quiet when Dave Bison entered. Something was wrong. He sensed that almost before the door closed behind him. and one glance at Elinor Robert proved it. The girls blue eyes were wide and slightly stunned.
 What's up, kid?" Dave paused beside her desk. Somebody else get rubbed out?"
 She shook her head numbly.
 MT. Parker didn't leave will" Elinor finally whispered, nodding toward the news room, "and now some relative niece or some thing - is here. She says she's going to sell the Express.
 Sell the E press!" Dave whis- tied his astonishment. "She can't do that! Why, I didn't even know Parker had any relatives"
 "He most certainly did, MT. Elson."
 Dave whirled on his heel as the cold voice sent warning jingle up his spine.
 The woman she was in her late thirties looked him over with cool indifference for a long moment and Dave saw in her glance that hard nails quality he had detected in her voice.
 How do you do?" she said archly. T am Myra Rose, of New York and Miami.'
 New York, eh? I've been there for a few years myself, Miss Rose"
 Mrs. Rose, MT. Elson,' she cor rected him. My husband is a lawyer"
 And just how are you related to MT. Parker?"
 T am his niece" Mrs. Rose ans wered evenly. My mother was his sister. She has been dead for many years and I have never associated with - Uncle Joe, but there's nothing to keep me from having his estate now. I'm his only living relative.'
 You're very sure of that, Mrs. Rose" Dave could not keep the bitterness from his tone. Aren't you?"
 Indeed. I told you my hus- band is lawyer"
 Dave's anger blinded him to everything but the naughty face in front of him. He didn't know that CIem and Mary Evans were stand | ing in the news room door or that Rod Thomas, the advertising man. ager, was right behind him.
 T see," he grated through ,lenched teeth, and his listeners in anticipation of the blast they knew was coming. But Mrs. Rose just stood there, calm and serene and queenly, confident hat she had won her point.
 Mrs. Rose" Dave finally said, you have no idea how much this paper meant to Joe Par - your lncle. It was his life. He died Tor it.. A letter we found proves hat, for it threatened him if he ran certain story. We have not been able to find out what that story was, but when We do we'll nave his murderer. And, Mrs. Rose, man who gives his life or an ideal is a hero"
 Dave drew a deep breath. He elt some of the anger oozing from 1im. Somehow, just talking about lls old boss helped him lot, so much that he was unprepared for ne sharp thrust from Mrs. Rose. -, All Of which means nothing" mere was scorn in her gray eyes ma hatred in the hard curve of Ter lips. I'm selling the estate ust as soon as proper arrange nents can be made"
 An icy wind might have caused ne chill that swept over Dave aSon, but it could not have been nore penetrating or so thoroughlv 'utting. There was flutter in he pit of his stomach that faded nto sick, empty feeling. He laa no doubt that the woman was lot within her rights, a court would prove that before anything vas dore, but
 Well, MT. Elson?" Dave shrugged. Te met her hallenging eyes without f1inchino
 I'll buy the Express" he told ler' and the house." To himself le added:. For Pat, if sheIl still lave me-" ''A1
 (T0 Be Conf;nuadI