The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1928-03-23
SYLVIA of the Minute
CHAPTER Ix-Continued

And now, as at this instant they
heard the car start away again, the ac-
cusati0n in her inquisitor'S gaze deep
ened; for Mr.. Creighton was sure that
1t was seeing his fathers car at the
door that had made Marvin drive on.
The girl was liar and schemer. In
the very act of waiting here for his
son, she had denied that she ever
remained here for visitors! If she had
mot a guilty conscience, If in her. re-
Rtions with Marvin there were moth
Il to hide, she would not, of course,
find it necessary to lie. A dangerous
wenchl Marvin could thank his father
for saving him from her. Mr.. Creigh-
ton felt ruthless. 49,
With his usual directness he came
to his point. "You were expecting my
son? That was, of course, his car that
stopped here and then, at sight OF
mine, drove on-wasn't it?"
mot being an adept at seeing
through brick wall, Mr.. Creighton,
don't know"
Her evading a direct answer to his
every question only confirmed him in
his darkest apprehensions.
"Miss Schwenckton, he said abrupt
ly, II would make it worth your while
to resign from this school and 60
away"
Away from your son, Mr.. Creigh-
ton?' she inquired pleasantly.
Exactly"
'But in these days Of airships width
er can flee that he cannot follow? If
/ take the wings of the morning and
dwell in the .uttermost parts of the
sea, or ascend up into heaven, or make
my bed In hell"
"What is it worth to you to get
out Of this neighborhood and stay
out?"
"Well, not being very experienced
in these transactions"
".Not very experienced'!" &
"Not very," she imperturbably re-
peated, $50 I'll have to ask your ad.
vice. What's the most ought to ask!
want to do as,well as l can for my
self, of course"
"Come, Miss Schwenckton, I'm seri-
ous--please don't try to play the fool
withtme! You must know that could
get rid of You less extensively. A
few words from me to your trustees.
and you would lose your position. But
I've no desire to injure you. / prefer
to help you"
ttTFo1v. 49, o,,k ,N fba Observation-Disclosures ~
'I'l amply compensate you for the
loss Of your school and something sub
stantial over"
"You really and truly are offering
me money to give up this darned
school and go away?"
II am"
"But," she exclaimed, glad sur
prise coming into her eyes, ''this is
the first time in all my life that I've
had money thrust at me! Will you
give me any amount ask?"
(sOf course not-you'll have to be
4sonable," he protested, feeling
Rocked that girl who looked like
this should after all be sordid and un-
principled.
.Just what would you call reason
able, Mr.. Creighton"
"Name what it's worth to you to
leave and then I'll answer you"
swell, then. let me see-well, I'll
take my railroad fare to Hollywood
and enough more to support me (and
my family for six months while I'm
convincing the picture makers at Hol-
lywood what a gold mine I'd be for
them"
'Your family? You're not going to
tell me you have some children to sup
port?"
mo, / won't go so far as that. Only
some parents. Two helpless little par
ents."
IF give you check for five thou.
sand dollars. when will you leave?"
Nicely caught her breath. The sum
seemed vast to her. A thousand
pounds! 1t would liberate her from
this schoolroom prison, relieve her
mothers needs and watt her to far.
away California with sense of ease
and security such as she had not
known in many years!
'If you will sign this statement, Civ
ing up all claims upon my SON"
He took a folded paper from his
breast pocket and laid it on the desk
in front of her, pushing aside the let.
ter she had started to write to her
mother.
"All right" she answered him gayIy,
though not at once signing the paper
"And if I fail at Hollywood, I'll marry
one of your sons and then my nus.
band can pay back to you this loan"
"One of my sonsl I've only one
son who'd be fool enough to give you
the chance, young womanl"
"But Mr.. Creighton" she asked In
genuine curiosity, show did you find
out about us? Did st. Croix talk in
his sleep?"
Mr.. Creighton stared at her. Now
why. he wondered. was she putting UP
a bluff like that?-pretending it was
st. Croix!