The Coolidge examiner., 1938-01-13
CHAPTER VII-Continued

IL was quiet, dlgnhed tearooW
on the outskirts Of the city where he
brought up at last, with space to
park the car safely. and an air of
gentility about it that rested Mar
garet's sorrowful soul
He found a table in secluded
corner. And there was warmth
from a big fireplace near enough to
send its glow around their screen.
Margaret shivered deiciously as the
warmth pervaded her chilled body
and brought a degree of comfort.
Greg's keen eyes noted the shiver
and took account of the thin little
jacket she was wearing.
He made out his order at last,
and when the waiter had gone to fill
Il he sat back and looked at her.
Now" said he, looking straight
INTO her eyes, IF you only found
the SIS this morning. what in the
world have you been living on all
this time? l know you hadn't an
other cent in that purse when you
left the hospital"
''Oh, found a job for awhile. 1t
wasn't permanent but l earned
enough to keep me-"
What kind of a job?" asked
Greg. Perhaps you think l have
no business to ask such questions,
and l haven't, of course, but I've
been a good deal concerned about
you since I lost you and l was
somewhat comforted thinking you
had that money to keep you for
little while. OF course, if you don't
want to answer my questions you
don't have to-"
Il don't mind answering" she
said, lifting tired eyes and trying to
smile, "only don't want you to
feel you have to worry about me.
[ got a job addressing envelopes. l
worked early and late and got 81 in
all out OF it" She lifted her head
proudly.
Seven dollars!" he exclaimed
agnast. But where-how could
you get along on that in city?
It's been some time since you dis
appeared"
He began to count the days on his
fingers.
But you must have had scarcely
anything left for food" said Greg.
Il got along" said Margaret with
show Of cheerfulnesS. ''It would
have been all right if hadn't been
worried. Even when it got down to
the last two dimes last night l
wouldn't have minded if I hadn't
needed that $25 so badly to send to
Grandfather for the interest on the
mortgage. And last night I prayed.
'And then when I opened that
little bill pocket in my purse to get
out Grandmother last letter and
be sure just what day she said they
must have it. there was the SIS, and
the receipt for my room rent be-
side I'll It was the most wonderful
thing that ever happened to me!
And / can never get done thanking
you for it. 1 went out and sent the
SIS to Grandfather, she went on,
and then went right away to Rod
man street to get my things"
But the waitress appeared at that
moment with a steaming cup OF
broth and there was no time for
words. When she was gone. Greg
spoke.
Well. l guess you're the bravest
person / ever met"
''Oh, no." said Margaret. drawing
IN a deep breath of the savory odor
and picking up her spoon daintily.
II was never brave"
"You are brave!" said Greg qui-
etly, as if that settled it.
They had finished the soup and
the roast chicken and were waiting
now for the dessert that Greg had
insisted on ordering. Greg sudden
Iy leaped forward.
~ think perhaps 1 should intro
duce myself" he said seriously.
There seems to be nobody to do it,
so we don't want to have any more
misunderstanding.
Margaret looked up with a smile.
My father died when was lit
tie kid" he said. He was a teach
-er and there wasn't much money
left. Mother died just after l got
through high school and 1 went out
West and took up some land. l
worked like a hyena and fought to
keep my land. And then suddenly,
lust like a miracle, / struck oil on
my land, sold out and came East to
try to live like other folks. This
was my home town. was lone
some. 1 landed here a few min
utes before I saw you fall off that
park benchi 1 haven't dune much
since but hunt you. That's the sto-
~. Now, do you mind telling me
where you were going after you
parked your luggage at the sta
tion?"
We'll, I was going to hunt an
other Job and then get a cheap
room," she owned.
But you have job" he told her.
I've been waiting to get to work
till you got back, and I want to
start at once. Unless, of course.
Won don't think I'm good enough to