The Washington times., 1930-08-27
CHAPTER XXI 5

$50 you're going 70 leave us.
You won't stay and have
Christmas dimes with us!"
Cathie was 1ia the most Of
her last afternoon with Gordon
Moore. Mr.. Farnsworth had
been delayed at the office, and
Cheor1g had sent in an elabor-
ate tea for two. ~ yg
Cant" he smiled sz,.S. "A
e''You don't have to- work on
Christmas!"
s"No, but couldn't disap-
point, my Aunt Maude. She's
blind, you know, and 1t means
"a lot to, her. having us Fl
akound on days like that"
aCathle passed the sandwiches
a6ain. Certainly the thought
OF leaving didn't hurt his ap.
petite. -ABut Alfred said you
were returning to the noun
tains,"s. she ynurmured, selecting
aigother sandwich for herself.
and then putting 1t down un:
tasted ~ $50 .
Il am. She's there"
i "Oh!'
! "Didn't Farnsworth ever tell
yoslabout. my aunt, and all ot
us2" @>'.
Bit Ashamed
Cathie shook her head.
She felt a little ashamed at
having to admit 1t. Everyone
to0k. it for granted that she
knew so much more than she
did. About Mr.. Far1sworth.
About his family. His money.
FIis. friends. "You know he
doesn't. talk very much" sne
said evasively. -
sThe boy, Charlie, came in
with some little frosted cakes.
CbfFion said he'd have one IN
o minute, after he had another
sandwich.
Then Cheong, fat, expression
less and impressive in his black
silk coat, Waddled in with a
bowl Of roses for the library
table. Cathie wished he'd be
Quick about going, but Moore
detained him, asked him ques-
tions about Chinese politics,
even attempted q few sentences
old Chinainaa into a fit OF
in. Cantonese which sent the
silent, shaking laughter. Then
Moore rose and they exchanged
elaborate, extremely dignified
farewellS. $50,
Great character, Cheong."
rs'I suppose so. He's impor'
tant enough around here. I'm
scared to death Of him, my
self"
They both laughed, and
Moore said, starting In on
the sandwiches all over again:
''Well, you needn't be. He'd
die for Alfred Farnsworth or
anyone belonging to him. He's
really a big man in China.
Catherine. .''s5a'-l =
rsThen he ought to go back,
and stop soaring tne.tU DEATH"
"He may have his reasons
for staying here. But / wouldn't
60 into that II I were you. What
were we talking about when he
came in?" III,
your. family" cathie re,
turned promptly. =,
'tOh, my Aunt Maude. She's
wonderful, Catherine. I'D like
to have you meet her some time.
She and my Uncle Andrew
raised my brother and myself,
and we're all together. in, bust.
ness. We call it Moore Broth.
ers. but it's really Aunt Maude
and Uncle AndreWLand the
Moore brothers thrown in for
good meaSure!' He was laugh.
ing again, and Cathie was
laughing back. She felt young,
and happy and: safe, sitting
there in the big, dim library,
where she had often been. so
lonely. The freight danced,
the shadows deepened, the stl.
yer kettle purred over the tiny
blue flames of the spirit lamp.
''1 ought to light the lamps,
1t is. getting awfuily dark she
said ? finally.
&"Iu do , 1t. Moore said.
- Rude InterrIption
/ But he didn't move. Neither
did Cathie. They lust sat there,
enjoying the freight =. :. hap
py :. :. happy
whats all, this2 What the
hell'S going on?" =
It was Chester Farnsworth,;
switching on the lights, after
he had stumbled over has
Soek. and cursed because he
hurt his toe.sAEs
Oataie, junnpet us If she had
been shot. 'sOh, I'm SO sorry.
Chester. did you hurt yourSelf?"
Damn right I did. Kicked
hell out Of my toe. Why the
devil don't you have some lights
around here so a man won't
break his neck?" And before
she could answer he went out
again. and the heavy front door
slammed behind him. -
MY dear, SI'mN so sorry; 7
wouldn't have had 1t happep
for anything!"
:"Oh. it wasn't your fault.
G0rd0nl' FIathie cried niIicklV