The Dolores star., 1924-04-04

| man runs or with her fO;her's chaul-
| feur and IL always ends either in a
shooting or in the divorce court. This
| Is my fault, in "A way. , was 1901
TO let you run with E:m The way you
| did when YOU first came. didn't
| wake up till it was most too late. But
| I'm awake now. all right. There's no
| argument on George Burns, He's OUT"
Dad" she began. but paused a
moment to search her mind. Shed
never been so deeply serious in her
life. nor felt so compelling need TO
dig out the truth. Dad. I'm in love
with George. I-want him. I'm not
silly about him any more. l was at
first. like those girls in the papers.
But I've learned lot in these last
six monthS-and l always did know
more than you thought | did. | didn't
want TO fall in love with him. ! was
| frightened about IL. But | couldn't
stop. So don't see what else there
is for me to do. If married some
body else. that I wasn't in love with.
| don't know what | might do. And
If don't marry anybody Dad, you
must know how 1t is, I'm like you.
| must be. because I'm not like moth
er bit. Dad, he's good He's kind
| and he's-squnre. He's never tried to
take any advantage. He's believed in
me-through everything. And he's
seen enough. goodness knows! And
If you'd be-friendly to us and help
him little He isn't chauffeur
now and he Isn't ever going to be
again"
She saw she was getting nowhere
set. Good" she tiared out Hes
too good for me: that's the only trou-
BILE. He's the best man | know. He's
better than either Of us"
Like fun he is'' said Joe 81 didn't
mean to spring this on you. but |
guess its time ! did. I'm going to
show up this bird. Go to the small
middle drawer in my desk and bring
me plain sealed envelop you'll find
there. Bring it in just as 1t is" he
called after her when without word
she had gone on the errand. She
hated herself for being frightened but
there was no Disgusting the fact that
she was. Nov. open it," he com
manded when once more she stood be
fore him. Look and see what's in
side"
1t was n Cancelled check for thou
sand dollars, made out to George
Burns, and bearing her fathers sigma
ture. Turn it over and look ut the
Endorsement" he added. you know
his handwriting, ! guess"
She obeyed him mechanically.
What was this for!" she asked. She
managed to make her voice ring cold
and hard enough, but she sat down
quickly in the chair she had recently
quilted.
Doesn't the date tell you any
thing?' he asked. 1t was back in Au-
gust. "Why, that's the day fired
him. The day he brought you home
drunk. AS you say. he'd seen enough
She repeated. word for word. her
former question. this time with a per.
emptory emphasis. what was this
| check for?"
ger. why, If you want it straight, II
was the price he got for keeping his
mouth shut and for letting you alone. ;
''Blackmail?" she asked.
Call it that If you like. That was
the understanding between us. He's
welshed on half of it, it seems
| Whether he has on the other or not
paragon. And there's how much ir
love with you he is. Less than thou
sand dollars wOrthr'
She felt herself strangled, drown
ing, and she beat her way franticall,
back to breathable air. II know
you're Il liar" she gasped. "and | be
lieve you're lying about this" Then
more to the purpose. as her intelli
gence came to the rescue. IF that.
what he is. why did you recommend
him for the air service? And why di,
you go down to see him Off and wisl
him luck the day his mechanic toll,
you about me?"
The fierceness of her attack bo,
won her moments breathing-space
| she 1Olueu tne cneck and tucked 4
into the bosom of her dress.
what are you doing with that p
lie demanded.
I'm going to show it to him tomor
row; see what his side of the story is
Maybe he's what you say he is.
don't know-about anybody, any more
But want his own word for this"
With that she rose to leave him
He struggled to sit erect, but droppe,
back with an uncomfortable groap q
anguish.
Never mind about that" he FOL,
her. But listen to this so there won,
be any mistake about it. Back las
April, some time. I asked you to com
and be my daughter. I'd got alon,
without you all right till then. | en-,
get along without -1u now. And 1
you see that dog again, even IL IT.
only to match his word against mine
I'm through. Perhaps you'd bette
not tell him so TIL after he's Marie,
| I Ft,tU