San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-09-13
CHAPTER w. (Continued) l..

give the-the foolish within that led
me to outrage all the canons Of
common decency tonight?"
He stretched out a hand until it
rested on hers.
81 believe that l could forgive
you anything" he said, and he was
never more serious in his life. "Of
course, it was just foolish whim
of yours because you hadn't read
me Alright when | was your faith
er's guest. We, all of US, make
mistakes; the confessing of them
goes a long way toward atoning for
them. Are we to be
friends?"
"Why not?" she said, smiling,
relievedly.
That's better" He sighed, well
pleased. Now what shall l say to
Mr.. Carteret about this-this little
eScapade OF yours!
Instantly the big eyes flashed
anew.
"Why, insist on my being
spanked, of course" said she. "Or
kept in my room and fed on bread
and water"
He accepted the rebuff with
great meekness.
"Shall we go back to the study"
he said. There's fire there"
"I'd like to return home she
confessed. "Will you forgive"
an take you back"
There's no one at home"-with
a little start.
"All the more reason why |
should see you safely inside" he
said calmly. "Come! Let me help
you to reaffix your side-arms, then
We'll walk home together" He
rose from his chair. would you
care to look over Wingrove now
you're here?" he asked.
81 don't think so, Mr.. Humphrey
not tonight"
Another day, perhaps" he sug-
gested. "We're not quite fixed up
yet. The pictures might
amuse you. Mostly photographs"
He indicated one on the dining
room wall. That's the cottage in
which l was born" he said, with
out sentiment or enthusiasm-"two
bedrooms, a living-room, as we call
ed it, and a kitchen"
Tndeedr The contemptuous
smile was struggling back to her
lips and eyes. Nov show me the
picture of your factory"
Factory"
That's what they generally do,
you know-the big, stalwart he
men of the movies. This is the
hut in which l started; this is the
million-pound factory l built out
of my brains WHAT"
He turned to her and studied
the fascinating face for few sec
onds.
you're a cynic," he said, smll-
ing, "but | rather like it. There
isn't any factory"
Nor a picture of the Mayflower
in which your people sailed to the
Far West?"
mo. little Iady'-and there was
a tinge of sadness in his voice.
But I'll show you a photograph
of a Far Western town that may
interest you more than ship" He
unlocked small bureau in the cor
ner of the dining-room and pro-
duced faded photograph of a
small township. She glanced at
it wonderingly. "My father died
there" he said, quietly, "and be-
fore the town was built-before
a single house other than his own
was built. He was a pioneer, Miss
Carteret. He didn't come over
with the Conqueror nor sail in lie
Mayflower. He was just an ordj-
nary man and did honest work with
his hands and wasn't ashamed Of il.
When he died there wasn't any
mention Of it in the papers, but
somehow feel that his achieve
ments didn't 20 unrecorded."
Tina turned away. She whis-
pered to herself that she knew the
sentimental would show itself in
the man if she waited long enough.
They returned to the study and
he handed her the ridiculous Mex
lean belt with its pistols. "If you
will wait a few moments" he said,
an slip on an overcoat, then wen
walk back to Hawksbridge."
And that walk back was the
most er0barra sgiro, s,,v,o,.;,,, +