Evening star., 1934-06-28

guish and q confused remorsefulness
struggling through his voice. He got
out of his chair and walked restlessly
around 1t, coming back after q mo-
ment to slump Epinelessly down into
its depths.
larry, what was 1s?" The girl sat
motionless, all but her live, burning
eyes.
Harvey had an idea that he want
ed to buy a newspaper. There was
good one for sale in the city. He was
10 be the publisher, I was to manage
the thing. He knew l was a good
newspaper man, knew that I had a
pretty good drag with the people who
wanted to sell. I was to be the 60
between, besides writing my own ticket
as editor after the SALE Harvey was
to furnish the capital. Naturally, I
thought that meant he'd get the
money from Jeff-from his folks. It
didn't. Do I have TO tell you the
rest?"
Rose nodded dumbly. "He got It
by forging the name of Austin
Deering TO that checkI" he finished
grimly.
'Oh, Larryl"
"The first I knew about this-and
ask you TO believe me, Rose, for this
Is the truth-was when he simply
failed to show up with the money.
Just dropped out of sight; wasn't seen
at his old haunts no one seemed TO
know anything about him. ! waited
two weeks. then figured he'd just run
out on me. (You see, grew up with
Harvey and knew his tricks.) And
when q chance came for me TO earn
my passage back TO the States, took
1t. And came home"
That was when he got so sick-he
was sick for weeks. and then he died"
! Rose said wonderingly.
And left you holding the sack on
that check!" Larry burst out. IF he'd
even kept the money he got for that
but to lose it in rotten dice game,
10 leave you and that kid"
Larry, he didn't know he was 20.
ing TO die. He DIDN'T" Rose
stopped. What was the use? 1t
simply brought the whole thing back.
You shouldn't have paid Deering a
cent, OF courSe-but 1t was like you!
Oh, love you so. RoseI It's all be-
hlnd us now; you couldn't you wouldn't.
let this thing stand in the way
OF our happiness?" 1t was the shamed
small boy in him who spoke, but it
was the man in him that suddenly
gathered her hungrily into the enconn-
passing circle OF his arms and held
her close. The girl leaned for a mo-
ment against the strength OF his broad
shoulder, feeling nothing, thinking Of
hotnlng. She was so tired 80
0ewlldered herself. Life was SO con-
fused, so fraught with strange terrors
and uncertainties Larry was dear
and generous and good. He needed
her. The thought brought her
sharply to herself. Harvey had needed
her. too. Harvey had used his need
OF her as a scourge and a shackle that
bound her. :. Slowly Rose Therrold
began to speak.
Hall an hour later when the man
rose TO god, Rose felt she had accom-
p!ished her end. To convince him.
without hurting him, without making
MIN feel that 1t was some lack in him
Self-she had brought It home to him
at last. And in two days he would
be leaving; that was the part that
hurt most
Il suppose I'm glad to 60" he had
said. brookingly somber. IF you've
once lived in the Orient. you want to 20
back. Maybe you're right. Rose. When
get used TO the idea I may think
SO. too. but not now. I've-wanted
you SO long Well" Slowly he
picked up his hat from the floor. "You
know what old Confucius said: II
one word misses its mark, q thou
sand Will do the samel But at that
I'm going TO give the old boy a run
for his money. I'm going to keep ask
Ing you-and some day you NAV
change your mind" He smiled at her
out OF unbelievably unhappy eyes. Got
10 get back to the job" he said again.
"Well-its Christmas would you
let me kiss you good night7"
Leaning against the friendly worn
panel of the door. after he had gone.
Rose felt as though all Of life had
gone with him.
(Tomorrow-Rose Gives the Alarm