The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-09-14
ruAPTrR xIII

UMAEIEM AAAA
 gTVHE car sang with speed now as " his new foot bore down on kha accelerator. He wanted to go faster, to get away forever from prumhead Hill. The road topped khn divide before Brock brought Che car to stop.
 aWeIl |" Moya said and he turned toward her soft laughter, sItS like old times," Suddenly sha slid her body over against him. They were knee to knee, shoulder to shoulder. Her head was up and back, her eyes dark, expectant, her mouth waiting, Her arms reached up as his went around her, and drew his face down, He kissed her with a sort of fierce abandon, as if with every kiss he would burn from memory the things he wanted to forget.
 ''Darlingw Moya laughed and there was triumph in 1t. "You haven't changed Q bit. But knew you hadn't; not really
 ''You're the only one who did know 1t then"
 "Am I, my sweetP Kiss me again. I think I've been terribly patient with you, taking all in all" uM;DRETH said, "Thayer, what 41 is the matter2 You're going all to eyes. No jobs worth 1t. You did intend giving 1t up"
 "T know. And then when MT. T1pton came down with menin- Ritis I've been in the de- partment the longest. And some- how assurance that things would continue without loss of momen- tum was tied up with his getting we'll" Thayer lifted her shoul- ders with a deep breath. "So - I said I'd stay" Momentarily her eyes met Hildreths. New I'm glad. It's - it's become important to me, too"
 s'What do you mean, ThayerP"
 Her voice was low, tight. Well I'm making good at something"
 1ildreths sharp gaze bored into her. Surely things are better between you and Brock"
 Thayer said slowly, "In the be- ginning there were two against me: Mrs. Kittridge and Moya. Two convinced that my marriage to Brock was Q mistake"
 And now?"
 "Now there are three."'
 1T can't believe that, Thayer. That boy loves you"
 Docs he? The first day he came home wearing his artificial leg he slipped in front of me. He looked at me as if he hated me-"
 "Oh, know, child; he's young and foolish-and proud"
 "So am I proud, Aunt Hildreth." Abruptly Thayer rose. n must Don't go. Talk to me, Tnayer. You need someone ."
 Mono, I can't talk. I've got to work things out myself Then she swung suddenly to the older woman. ''You see, I knew the other Brock, Aunt Hildreth. That's why I haven't quit. I'm working at the plant-to give MT, Tipton Q chance: I'm sticking here -- to give Brock his, His mother loves him, Moya loves him: all right, but it isn't the kind of love that will make him want to stand up and fight back at life again" Her hands clenched tightly. "It'S important that Brock be that sort of person again. He's - got to be. It's important ."
 Thayer =. ."
 The girls voice broke suddenly. Don't keep me. I've got to go." She was down the steps before Hildreth could speak. She did not look back. Tears were binding her eyes. 'Tt's important" she whis- pered to herself chokingly. Its amportant'
 TNHE big Kittridge house seemed \ deserted and still as Thayer lot herself in. Ahead of her the stairs showed their polished treads. To climb them seemed suddenly too great an exertion. Tn c little while maybe. Wearily she turned and went through the French doors to the terrace.
 Then she stopped. like someone held motionless In the cobweb of e dream. Two figures were stand- ing in close embrace. Dazed, Thayer