The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1933-05-11
CHAPTER il-continued

mo-"
"Where can we talk?"
"Here. Nobody's likely to bother
us-in a classroom on such a day
as this" He took her chin In his
hand and turned her head this way
and that, regarding her quizzically.
"Why the misery?''
She shook her head and seated
herself on one of the benches.
"Sit next to me, Larry. l want
to have you close when | talk
without the necessity of looking
straight at you"
Sweet suffering tomatoesl I
never had that one pulled before"
"T'm serious-I mean want to
talk seriously"
"Oh, shuh! Tony-this is no day
for melancholy. Forget what's eat
ing you and let's thresh it out to-
morrow. What say? Let's grab my
f1ivver and take the air for an hour.
Lord knows no healthy person has
the right to stay indoors on this
sort of day."
She pressed his hand. Trying to
snap me out of it, aren't you. Larry ?
Good scout But it's no go. We're
In for talk"
He settled himself beside her.
Sire when ready. But there's moth.
ing in the world to justify such Sc
riousness."
.Yes, there is. Plenty"
"Convince me. If it's anything
about this job they've offered me
here"
st isn't, Larry. It isn't about
you at all"
"No-o. :" He glanced at
her out of the corners Of his eyes
and felt premonitfon of trouble
This wasn't the Tony he knew. Usu
ally she had a laugh on her lips |;
was ready with quick repartee
seemed to look upon life with a
smile. But now the cameo face
was set in lines which bordered on
sternness: Larry received the i'm
preston that she was older than
himself-a thing manifestly absurd.
There was trouble reflected In
those fine eyes. Her first
words, which came hesitatingly.
bore out his fear.
Something's wrong, Larry; aw-
fully wrong. I've got to talk it out
with you."
He fell In with her mood. .All
right. Tony. Let's have 1t. You know
dog-gone well If there's anything |
can do"
81 know. That's why l came to
you. At any rate, it's one of the
reasons"
sand the other?'
Because. :" She hesitated.
then took the plunge bravely. "Well.
it's about Ivy"
He Strengthened. my sister,"
She nodded, and something In her
manner caused look of worry to
dawn in his own eyes. Not even
Tony quite fathomed the depth Of
affection which existed between
Larry WEIGH and his sister.
What about Ivy"
Tony turned In her seat until she
faced Larry directly.
II can talk straight. can't IY'
''You know you can. AS matter
of fact, I've never known you to
do anything else. You've got me a
trifle scared"
81 want to-" she said simply.
''Ivy's in trouble?''
Eyes 49,. and no. That Is.
Larry, she isn't now-but she may
be, unless something is done. I'm
mixed up in it, too. You'll most
likely hear from Ivy about 1t 81.
and thought I'd better come to
you first"
For the moment his thoughts
were all of the kid sister whom he
adored.
whats wrong, TonyY'
She met his eyes leyelly.
How do you like Pat Thayer?"
He hesitated, and shook his head
mot particularly" he admitted.
HE isn't the sort of man you'd
pick for Ivy. is he?"
MOO. Not If I were doing the
picking"
"Well-Ivy is in love with him"
with Pat Thayer?"
ayes. And she thinks she Is en-.
gagged to him." g. -.
He took Tony's arm and leaned
close. rs that what has been wor
rying you. Tony? Is that what you
came here to see me abont?"
"Yes. :" 81.
And quite suddenly he threw back
bis head and laughed. He laughed
gofflv hl1f with tremendous relief