White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1928-03-30
CHAPTER IX-Continued


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
not guilty conscience, If in her re-
lations with Marvin there were moth
ing to hide, she would not, of course,
find it necessary to lie. A dangerous
wench Marvin could thank his father
for saving him from her. Mr.. Creigh-
ton felt ruthless.
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?"
"Not being an adept at seeing
through brick wall, Mr.. Creighton,
don't know"
Her evading direct answer to his
every question only confirmed him in
his darkest apprehensions.
miss Schwenckton," he said abrupt
ly, Il would make it worth your while
to resign from this school and go
away"
away from your son, Mr.. Creigh-
ton?' she inquired pleasantly.
EXACTLY
''But in these days of airships whith-
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 transa ctions-''
"'Not very experienced
'Not very" she imperturbably re-
peated, $50 I'll have to ask your adj
vice. What's the most ought to ask?
want to do as we'll as can for my
self, of course"
"Come, Miss Schwenckton, Pm seri-
ous-please don't try to play the fool
with me! 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"
"Help me out of the ighborhood?"
"I'll 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 mel Will you
give me any amount askY'
"Of course not-youll have to be
reasonable" he protested, feeling
shocked that girl who looked like
this should after all be sordid and I'M
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"
"Well, 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 Pm
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?"
"No, / won't go so far as that. Only
some parents. Two helpless little par
ents."
''1f I 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 a sense Of ease
and security such as she had not
known in many years
eff 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 gayly,
though not at once signing the paper
"And if fail at Hollywood, I'll marry
one of your sons and then my hus-
band can pay back to you this loan"
"One Of my sons! I've only one
son who'd be fool enough to give you
the chance, young woman!"
"But Mr.. Creighton" she asked in
genuine curiosity, "how 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!
"St. Croix!" he repeated, with a
laugh. "Don't waste your talents,
Miss Schwenckton. trying to deceive
me! My son, st. Croix, will never
cause me moments anxiety as to
his choice of wife"
"a wife!" she breathed. "My-
goodness! What's all this about, any-
way?"
"Im sure you know quite we'll what
it's all about"
IF it's not about st. Croix, don't I"
She looked so sincerely puzzled and
astonished that for an instant he be-
lieved her-almost.
But only for an instant. "I'll never
have to pay any girl five thousand dol
lars to keep st. Croix from marrying
her!" he repeated.
0p,,t-h,,tD oho faItorod Wif it,c