The Holly chieftain., 1924-04-17
CHAPTER vII-contInusd.

WAS expeCteU she WaB QOWn at tne
lake front, anxiously looking across
the lake for the plane to put in an
appearance. 1t finally came, and when
George stepped out and saw her he
blissfully folded her in his arms.
Hitherto, in public, they had always
been careful to give their meetings a
casual air, but this embrace was as
much ut his initiative as at hers.
She told him that she had finally
broken with her father.
1--WE had an awful row with dad"
she told him, when he'd drawn her
aside to make way for the activities
OF the crew. "He says I'm not his
daughter any more. He told me to
tell you that because it might make
a difference. Does it?"
81 should say it did" he cried, pull
ing her up in his arms again. Does
1t mean you're going to marry me,
now, Trix7"
She told him, blissfully. that 1t did.
To-day! This minute If we could.
I've already got place for US to live"
she added, and she felt him give sob
at that, II slept there alone last
night"
A hurried visit to the city hall re-
minded them that the day was
Thanksgiving and that the public Of
fees were all closed. A visit to the
superintendent secured them permis-
sion for Trix to make the trip to
Cleveland with George the next day,
where they could be married. and then
suddenly they both remembered that
they were ravenously hungry. They
jumped into a taxi, their fourth that
day.
She directed the chauffeur to one of
her fathers favorite restaurants and
here they spent two unregarded hours,
silent and talkative by turns, some
times frankly holding hands across the
board, sometimes. for fun, distantly
ceremonious.
When he got out his pocketbook
to pay the bill she laughed in way
that made him ask her why.
II thought of something I'd forgot
ten," she said. Something promised
dad I'd ask you about. It's that thou
sand-dollar check he gave you the
night you brought me home last sum-
mer."
He flushed bright red. and for an
answer, drew out Of his pocket sealed
envelope, which he turned over to her.
Inside was one thousand dollars in
new bills. That's his dirty money"
said George. after got 1t became
ratified; thought you had gone back on
me, and cashed the check. Then
woke Up and have been waiting for
chance ever since to return 1t to him."
Tri1 tucked the money away into
her coat pocket. II don't see why 1t
should ever go back. A thousand dol
lars Is lot of money. I'll Just write
him and tell him you paid 1t to me
and decide later whether to send 1t
back to him." George laughed at her
woman's reasoning.
They both fell silent after this. and
presently she asked him what he was
thinking about about tomorrow's
flight" he reluctantly conferred II
never was scared of trip before. But
when think what 1t would mean If
anything went wrong"
you're tired" she interrupted;
''that's all the matter with you. No
wonder, doing double work like this.
Let's forget 1t, for tonight, anyway.
I'll tell you what let's do. Let's go
and have a look at the place I've
picked out for us to live. See what
you think of 1t. 1t looked pretty good
to me last night, when was thinking
how we'd fix 1t up"
II can't believe that part Of it, Trix.
That's Gods own truth" he told her,
and his voice broke over the words.
"Ive brought Mr.. Burns" she told
Mrs. Henderson half an hour later, ITO
see whether he likes our house. If he
does we're going to take 1t. You
needn't bother to come up, guess.
can show him around, all right" But
Mrs. Henderson. full Of sympathetic
goodwill once more. wouldn't consider
It bother, and there might be some
questions Mr.. Burns would like to ask;
SO she heavily led the way upstairs
and showed them into the apartment,
with ceremony.
George hadn't any questions to ask,
It seemed. and his replies to those Of
Beatrice, whether he liked this. or
thought that would do, were almost
monosyllabic. hut when the tour of in
spection was finished. she answered,
confidently. for his being satisfied
with 1t. "We'll take 1t for month,
then, anyway. And I guess we might
as well pay now. Shall I. George, or
have you got It handyT'
1--WE got 1t right here" he said.
"Well, I'll be glad to have you here"
Mrs. Henderson assured him, though
] expect it'll be strain on my nerves.
Your wife was telling me yesterday
the job you had. My heart ached for
her. alone last night. what with the
storm and all. I'm glad she'll have
you with her tonight"
Trix sau her Ioyer's faca M duIl