Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-01-29
CHAPTER XXUT
Father and Daughter

IN HE letter from California arrived two
days later, and, because Henry Martin
brought it himself, from the postoffce
Gail was forced to open and read it while
her mother, father and Buddy looked on.
Calls eyes were starry when she finally
raised them from the typewriter sheet.
shes left me a great deal of money, she
said, her breath catching as she spoke. give
sible.'
Five thousand dollars" Henry Martin re-
peated, "here, let's see." And he took the
letter from Calls unresistng fingers.
by George, that's right" he said, after a
moment. ''She has left you 20 900. Well
Gail, thatll be nice little nestegg. You
put it in the bank for a rainy day, and
your interest will about to $500 year.
Gail threw her head back quickly. 1t had
come al last, the suggestion from her father
that she had been expecting, and now was
the time to let them all know that she was
determined not to be coerced. After ALL
the money was hers, to do with as she
pleased.
I'm not going to put 1t in the bank!" she
said detiantly.
mot going to put it in the bank? Well,
I'd like to know what else you'd do with
$4,000. That's lot of money, do you
know 1t? You certainly are going to put it
in the bank just as soon you receive it,
Henry Martins voice was harsh with au-
thority and Mrs. Martin hastily interviewed.
Please, Henry, don't lose you temper
There's no need Of talking like that to Gail"
Then let her take care what she says"
But meant what I said, father. I have
no intention of putting it in the bank. After
all, why should I? I don't want money for
a rainy day, want it now, while I'm young,
while it will mean something to me. I'm
gong to spend that money, every cent Of it,!
Gosh" from Buddy, chow can anyone
spend $4,000? 1t can't be done!"
Gail did not answer. She was looking
a III tIIr
evolved from the money Aunt Debbie had
left her With $4,000 it was possible to do
almost anything. First of all, she would
leave Dalesburg. She would go to the CITY,
ana after that who could tell what awaited
her? Delicious thrills of expectation swept
over her; the dream became so real that she
could almost imagine herself living it, And
then her fathers voice broke in on her
thoughts and brought her to earth ''Are
you crazy, Gail; do you know what you are
saying?"
I'm not crazy, father. I'm sane for the
first time in my life. Of course, I can't ex-
pect you to agree with me- but see no rea-
son why shouldn't have my chance. There's
nolhlng here in Dalesburg for me or any
girl. 1t isn't fair that a thing like broken
engagement should mean the end of life for
me, and I'm sure if Aunt Debbie were alive
she'd say the same thing. Shed understand.
I'm convinced of it,"
Henry Martins face became scarlet as he
SI"Ieu d. MS daughter lie opened his
mouth to speak, and for moment the words
would not come, then they issued from his
mouth in burst of rage.
If you're in earnest and intend to do this
thing. I'm through with you. Don't think
you can come whining back after your money
is gone, for you can't. l won't have you!
When you leave this house, you go for good.
DO you understand that? You'll be as dead
to me as though you'd never been born"
Henry, think what you are -saying." The
tears are running down Mrs. Martins face
But as she put her hand on his arm as though
to expostulate with him, he shook it off and
strobe out of the room.