The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-30
NEW SERIAL STORY Hearts Bleed Longest
 By DORIS HUME
CHAPTER |

6iIE SLOo0 0y the DeuTOOIu WlluOW looking out. Restl If only she could have kept on working to- day. right up to the hour, the minute.
 'sYou aren't going to the plant this morning?" her mother-in-law had asked at breakfast.
 Why, I intended to-" Thayer said innocently.
 Really, MT. Tipton should real- ize "" Mrs. Kittridge began etiffly.
 I'm sure he does," Thayer an- swered gently, land I know I can get away in plenty of time"
 REALIZEl Realization was head lined in the DAvERTON SEN TINEL she had bought on the way to work.
 DAvERTON'S HERO FLYER
 COMES HOME TODAY
 'sThayer, how can you work?" Ruth Jory from MT. Tiptons de- pertinent had demanded in the dressing room. Thayer caught Ruth,s mirrored glance, in it that which she had seen in other eyes that morning guarded ques- tioning. Ruth looked away quick ly and Thayer pretended it hadn't happened, but her own face wore tense strained look.
 I'm just plain scared, Thayer thought. won't be-but I am.
 She deepened her lipstick, brushed back her red-brown hair into the soft swirl that most en- hanced her slended face and lifted her chin in an unconscious gesture grown habitual these past months. There! she thought, but the beautiful, deeply-set dark eyes remained shadowed.
 Hardly was her desk cleared for work when MT. Tipton hur- ried in, his brow creased in its neat furrow, his hands filled with papers. What are you doing here, young lady?"
 were so behind. MT. Tipton. Anyhow, I'd rather work. guess --T guess I've got the jitters.'
 His near-sighted blue eyes were uneasy but his words were insist cpt. "Nonsense, it's just ex- citement. You go along home now.
 .sBut I Thayer stopped, rnse slowly, stood facing him, her dark grave glance direct. Mrs. Kittridge 'phoned you. MT. T1p- ton"
 He flushed, then put a hand on her arm placatingly. After all, it's her only boy, Thayer. It was pretty hard on her having him gc 50 soon after losing his father Ana now :" His fingers tight ened persuasively. Let her have things her way today"
 Thayer felt a sort of coldness settle over her as she closed her desk. No use saying more. MT. Tipton might be her boss. But the Kittridges owned the plant.
 Now in this lovely room she had never shared with Brock she waited. Brooks father had died 1S months ego; Thayer had never known him. Brooks uncle, Jud- son Kittridge, acting head of the Daverton Sweeper company. had zone north yesterday to come down on the plane with Brock. His wife. Hildreth, had telephoned earlier that she would meet them at the airport. Thayer had wanted to say, 'Please go with us" Since Brooks mother made going alone impossible Thayer would have welcomed Hildreth's crisp pres ence as third.
 The hands on the bedside table clock showed 2:15. Thayer moved atout the room reStlessly. On the desk was large photograph oi Brock. one of a group made foi his mother. It showed a gay handsome face, dark gray eyes straight brows, an arrogant cu' to the nostrils, a mouth laughing to reveal strong even teeth. Hid- ing with that laughter the sen- sitiveness betrayed in repose.
 "Oh. Brock /" Thayer said but the eyes of the picture looked past her. She turned away.
 She had treasured a snapshot taken that brief week of their marriage. In it Brooks eyes never left hers. She had worn 1t with much handling. Then it had dis appeared. Mrs. Kittridge said re- gretfully, '.It must have fallen or the floor and been swept up wouldn't you like this one oi Brock, Thayer?' But Thayer fell 10 absences to this picture; the other had held the warm sweet ness of the boy with whom she had fallen in love and whom she had married after ten days oi courtShip.
 The clock said 2:2O..
 When I want something bat enough always get 1t" Brock tolt her at their second meeting.
 Last April = just a year ago. Amy Lane had written her:
 I've a grand job down here and there's an opening in Per sonnel made just for you. Re- member that Daverton Sweeper we had at the apartment? They make lem here only now it's bomb sight parts. l board will swell utble Oiu Analu' y~~ could share my room. Do come Yhayer. Seem to be few likely lads about. Oh, yes, and = to
 look at only!-Br0ck kittridge, shc big boss nephew. A gals frca wearing silver wings. But q wiilowy blonde named
 Moya with dibs on him. Just inc same like it here. Come tee for yourself. Love,
 Three days after her arriva Brock had come into Thayeri sfflcc. She had raised her head ts I.rd him standing there. lookini s} her. He said. never shiftint h,, gaze. 'TIey, Tippie, stop slave arriving and introduce me-" ans she n MT. Tipton somewhat startled md acuuiesced, he said; 'Wh' z-I..t1 .-ssr Iat mo RUnu Voff vert