The Washington times., 1926-06-17


He was undeniably good-look
ing. the sort df good looks that
are a physical challenge. slightly
married by sensual mouth very
unlike his fathers and a suspi
cion OF heaviness about the towl.
His manner was overbearing and
there was suggestion Of the
bully In his wide-set brown eyes.
But he met the gaze of his father,
and looked uneasily at the floor
Here / am. sir, he said, ready
for orders. don't know whether
you think It's good for. the discis
pline Of this office" he added
sulIenly, Ito keep me kicking my
heels In the waiting for
half an hour like q clerk out OF
job before you let me come up?"
"A clerk out OF q job, Terry"
said his father. lis q Is per cent
better thing than you are ct this
momentp'
He leaned forward.
Al Colossal Failure
.'Yo1 have been home . month.
+ have been watching you, to see
whether that year Ia the Argen.
tine has made = man OF you.'
he said In voice like rasp.
II you think you're going to walk
into my business and my money
off-hand, you've got another guess
coming! Now, I'm going to give
you your chance here, and, by
Jupiter, it's the last chance your
getr'
The son quailed visibly. Mr..
Parker switched his, cigar from
one end Of his mouth to the other
with single movement Of his
law and regarded his son fixedly.
Andover and Yaiey reflected
John Parker aloud. They are
good to your sort. was q fool
good to your srt. was FOL
not to start you at the smelter
works In q leather apron same
as started myself. Perhaps I
was to blame
His UItimatum
He leaned forward.
Terry. when you were here last
you showed the rotten streak II
you. You played the fool You
got yourself mixed up with b girl.
I know mighty little about her;
but I'll do her the justice to say,
blindfoId, that she was probably
too good for YOU" He gIared al
Terry. Now! have you seen
anything Of her since You came
back
Terry flushed.
Nor he said, raising his voice.
II haven't seen her. tell you,
sir, ] could barely remember what
her name is. The last thing on
earth want II to see her, Ot to
hear anything about her! I'm
out for work and business; I'm
here to take orders I'm ready
10 sail iny
John Parker looked at him
3udgingiy, and nodded
Stick to that!s said he Now
+ i III Civ Won your
be hard terms. But you d Bits D (
the bullet and take them 0r moth
ing. You hays the ~, 500 year
your mother left YOU. You will
start m 1T $40 week, your boss
win be the head leI yosl,ll
work eight hours day. and yoHf
advancement VIII depend wholly
'.Doneg' said Terry. When as
Ireport n
A Bitter ArraienEneFlt
Monday, 8 4. m. on the dot.
said his father. and, rising from
his chair, looked into his sons
face. The lines OF the old mans
face softened.
Boy, !. he said quietly, .Iet BY.
cones be bygones. Do me credit,
boy. You're ali the son I'VE got.
I've only you ana Di: And deeply
as I love Di: she fs q girl ana she
can never take hold Of things
here. I look to you to hold John
Parker,s place in the world when
I'm gone land IL may be sooner
than you think
He held out his hand frankly
and gripped the outstretched hand
Of his son, who returned the grip
with a hand. as cold as d fish.
Till Monday, boy" said Parker.
And Terry found himself outside
the door. He looked rather white
and suiky as he walked away
down the corridor.
Sooner than think?' he MUIR
INJURED. What does he mean by
that? Is his health going?"
There were bitterness and hos
tility in his heart, and q touch Of
fear.
IF the old man knew" he said
under his breath. ''By George!
II he knew! Well-he isn't like
ly to-"
He passed down toward the
elevator, setting his hat carefully
on his head and arranging his
tie. for he felt somewhat rumpled.
A door opened, and Jill Seaton
came along the corridor with her
bundle Of typed letters.
She stopped short. and Terry
halted. too. They gazed at each
other in mutual establishment,
and a pink flush mantled Jilfs
cheeks.
'Mr. Heatheredge?' she ex.
claimed.
John Parker's son stared blank
ly. There was no answering flush
on his face; he looked rather
paler than before.
Why" he stammered, "this-
this is g delightful surprise! /
didn't expect to see you here"
Jill had recovered her compo-
sure.
did you not?'' she asked, quiet.
ly. at work here. / am Mr..
Parker's secretary. Why-what is
the matter, Mr.. Heatheredge"?
Listen, :" he murmured, hur.
riedly, don't call me by that
name here. Would you mind,
Miss Seaton, not mentioning any.
thing about me in this place?
Don't ever say you've seen me.
viii you do that for me-?
She looked at. him with amaze
ment and a touch Of anger
Miss Seaton." he said, coming
a little nearer, II hardly know
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