Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-08-21
The Gift
Supreme
Bv
George Allan England
Author of
Darkness and Dawn"
1.-THE Alibi," etc.


Tn glad I know" he exulted,
laughing, Il want to know every
thng about you, Sylvia! And about
the ways girls are exploited and
i abused when they happen to be poor
And about how they. up there in the
Back Bay"
Hush! You mustn't" she sooth-
ed him, covering his mouth with her
firm cool hand You're all excited.
Bradford. Now don't let's think of
/ that any more. but of something
more practical. You're really deter
Pmined not to go back Toto every
thing that's yours"
why do YOU ask, Sylv ~ he
smiled. That's question I needn't
answer. You know what Tn, going
to dor
i At sight of the bright happiness
/ that suffused her face, warm as the
quickening blood in her throat and
cheek, he gathered her in his arms
again and held her head 10 his
breast, patting her hair with his
hand and kissing it. and whispering
words Of endearment that still came
/ awkwardiy from his unaccustomed
j lips.
Were both going to stick, aren't
4 we?" he asked finally.
Yes" she whispered and put an
arm about his neck. "As long as
you want me, Bradford, you never
need doubt me. You're true blue-I
can't be less. But tell me-" and she
freed herself from his arms, 'just
what are your plans now? Come In
here and sit down and tell me every
/ thing. We can't play the part Of ir-
know where we're going, and how to
get there"
/ BY the hand she led him into the
little parlor, its walls Redeemed by
lshafts OF the sun now dropping thru
the haze and smoke of Boston, across
1.-THE harbor. They sat down on the
Isofa, under the inspection OF the
stuffed parrot. and looked at each
other frankly. appraisingly, steadily.
as If to read what each could give
1.-the other in the battle that lay ahead.
She still held his hand. He felt
hers tremble little, but her voice
was steady as she asked
"Now tell me, Bradford, What are
your plans?
MY plans? Well, first ano. fore
Emost. I'm not going to accept any
favorsI from him. even If he offers
them. I'm done with all that. From
now on I'm going to play thu, game
alone, That much Is settled, any
howl"
/ She smiled at his vehemence, nod
ded comprehension, and waited for
him to continue.
That's settled" he repeated, land
it means that I've got to begin pad
ding my own canoe. I've made a
] start already, tho I own It's not
very brilliant one" Briefly he out
lined the days attempts-and fail
ures. But I'm going to sticl, to 1t,
Sylvia" he concluded. There's no
quitting now!'
She nodded approval, her eyes elo-
quent of pride,
"On q pinch said she, Il can
probably get you something to do.'
/ mo-" he denied her, Il couldn't let
you. I couldn't stand that Sylvia!
I've got my own row to hoe If I
cant do it. I've no right to be called
]aSman."
We'll, Bradford, perhaps that's
SOL she answered seriously. 'What
can you do--except write articles
which don't seem to have much Of
a market? Bookkeeping? Short
hand 2"
mo; they don't teach those at
i universities"
Know how to sell anything q
II doubt If I could sell gold dol
lars for nickel apiece. It's this way,
Sylvia: know all kinds of classical
junk, art, philosophy and such trim
mings; but as for earning any
money, welt He shrugged his
/ shoulders eloquently.
] How much money have you?" she
/ demanded with practical dire ,tness.
He showed her the money he had
left from his Transcript check
Nothing but that" he admitted.
but it's all mine. anyhow. None Of
lit came from the governor. owe
part of 1t already, tho, at the hotel"
1.-The hotel? You mean 20 say
you're at a hotel?"
Eyes, the Brunswick"
4 Good gracious, Bradford, that will
never do! You must leave there at
once and get a room somewhere"
/ "a room? 2"
] Eyes, and mighty cheap one. too.
| There are lots to be had in the South
End. Don't you dare pay more than
two fifty week. Remember Brad
! T,k>.
are ended. You've got to pull in
, your belt and face the hard realities
! Of life. Your clothes will de, for a
good while. It's bread and butter
you've got to look out for now; and
II you go at it right you'll soon be
on your feet again.
i I'D be all right from the begin
ming, II those confounded editors
would only buy my stuff" he ex-
claimed, voicins a plant as old as
the art OF printing.
"They will, II you'll cut out the es-
says and trimmings, as you call
them, and get down to business. Try
reporting for some daily. at space
rates. Pick up whatever items you
can It will lead to something bet
ter. And remember, every penny
counts now. You've got to readjust
yourself to absolutely new condi-
/ lions. I'm going to take you IN hand
and make you do it, tool"
He laughed heartily - HIS first
laugh that day-and drew her to
him.
Miss Business Manager, 'sh?" he
chaffed, strengthened and Gained by
her level-headed way of attacking
the greatest problem that had ever
confronted him