The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-09-18
CnAPTEl. xn

CHAPTEl. XVI
 JUST then pr. Lacey came nois- J fly down the stairs. His eyes were burning. She was trying to reach the phone to call me-" he said. T got that much from her." Mrs. Kittridge flinched back from the anger in his face. Why in heavens name wasn't I called hours ago2 You must have realized the importance of it."
 Tt - 1t didn't seem serious" Mrs. Kittridge faltered. Shed been out without a coat; she had . chill. I-I didn't want to dis- turb the whole household"
 That's unfortunate" The two words were lash.
 Brock pressed forward. "You mean-She is really ill?"
 Lacy snapped his words. What in hell do you suppose? Where's the phone? That's what I came down for Last night might have been able to do something. Now can't; she'll lose the child"
 Dear Godl" It was a hoarse whisper from Hildreth. But Mrs. Kittridge stood as if she had been struck Q blow which had stunned her and from which presently she would fall. Color washed out of her face: her eyes, enormous and terrified, sought her son. She furn- bled Stupidly for words. But I didn't know - didn't know ." Dr. Lacey did not answer; he reached for the telephone.
 Brock had not spoken. He seemed beyond speech. In utter silence he was looking up the stairs; now in utter silence he started toward them.
 Brock" his mother cried. Brock, you can't go up there. Not now, like this. You haven't even your canes ." She tugged at his sleeve. Brock ."
 He put her aside. He said five words, so fraught with purpose that she quailed He never took his eyes from his goal. He said, "Get out of my way" There was pounding clarnor to his ascent of the stairs: his hands tore at the bannister as he jerked himself Up step by step.
 T'HAYER lay in the big bed, her | gaze wandering about the room. This had been her room for months yet nothing looked as 1t once had; nothing was the same. Tn this room she had waited, in it she had hoped; in 1t she had known complete despair.
 Dr. Lacey, for all his skill, had been unable to save the growing child within her. Always she would know regret and tenderness for the naIneleSs son who might have been.
 But tonight many things filled Thayer's heart, and holding the most important place, that never to-be-eTased picture of Brock coming in at the doorway of her room. Numbly she had heard the sound of noisy footsteps on the stairs and her pain-hlled eyes had turned to seek Dr. Lacey. In- stead N had been Brock, a Brock whose ahocked incredulous face bore no resemblance to the enn- bittered self-centered man she had known these past months.
 She saw that he was clutchine at the side of the door jamb; she saw that he had no canes. From her bed 1t seemed far far of tc where he stood.
 His eyes were fastened on hei face. 15e came to her, across the long expanse of carpet, alone, un- aided, walking with unsteady, un. certain gait, but walking.
 She had cried out. whisper more than anything, Brock = Brock. you came up - the stairs
 He was beside her then, on hil knees by the bed, his tortured face close to her own. He wal saying over and over, utter de. nunciation of himself in the words, "Thayer, Thayer - what have I done to your What have l done2"
 She was crying weakly, sound. lessly. She said, "1rock-I wanted the baby. Brock, we can't have -this one ."
 Lying there, wracked by pair and exhaustion, she knew too ( sort of ecstacy that was abovt pain. This was Brock come back to her, who, obeying at last tht summons of Q need greater thar his own had, through that obedi' ence, found himself
 NORINNE KTTTRIDdE sat in hel A room amid the ruin she hae pulled down upon herself. The olt main waa do0eed in her chest. bu