Evening star., 1938-02-12
Drain ON Iinl0ra
by Charles Henry

She nestled closer to him. Anyway"
she said softly. I'm glad that you
| didnt-hurt him."
He changed the subject. One more
thing. and we'll put Timora completely
out of our minds. Why did you come
here in the first place."
Denise freed herself from his arms,
and looked away. II had hoped you
wouldn't ask that" she said quietly.
and stilled his apologies before he had
begun. I've discovered that l may
have been foolish"
I'm sorry he interrupted. abashed
that he had been so thoughtless. but
| she stopped him with an upraised
| hand.
into his eyes. DO you think I'm a
spoiled brat?'
The unusual question surprised
Christopher, and he could only stam-
mer a denial that such an idea had
ever entered his head. She sighed
with relief.
We'll. you asked for it, she said,
and told him her story. Il was born
with the proverbal silver spoon in
my mouth. and until l cut lose for
myself I always had far too much
money for my own good. Not very
long ago. I fell in love with a man.
He was Well-bred intelligent and per-
fect-or SO thought at the time.
There was only one thing wrong
with him-his anual salary was about
equal to what l spent in a month
But I was willing to overlook that
had more than enough for both of
us. I'm afraid that went after him
in the wrong way. One night"
She stopped, uncertain as to how to
proceed
Christopher gave her what help he
could with his eyes
One night" Denise continued, en-
couraged by what she had seen in
Chrlstophers face, Il asked him to
marry me-" She spoke the words re-
flectively, with a touch of wonder and
embarrassment. Il thought that I
could buy him just like an automobile
or new book" She paused again,
| the lovely texture of her upturneo
face flooding with crimson as she re-
called the scene.
He didn't laugh-or anything If
he had I could have hated and then
| forgotten him entirely. But he didn't.
He very gravely thanked me and then
gave me lecture on just why he
couldn't consider my proposal was
pampered, spoiled brat. he said. and
| lots Of other things She looked
up at Christopher. He hurt me
dreadfully, Christopher. He hurt me
because I knew that it was true In
stead of hating him 1 hated myself.
| And then'-her voice sank to whis-
peri ran away. l ran as far as l
/ could. l went to business college and
| then I met Mr.. Jones. The rest you
know"
She stopped.
is that alp" Christopher quietly
asked her.
She nodded, tears yelling up into
! her eyes
He held her close and gently kissed
| her trembling lips. Capt Roche
told me all that long ago." he said
Jones is a talkative though kindly
old man. and he told Roche the whole
story. But there's one thing neither
/ of them could tell me- Only YOU"
/ He, in his turn, was uncertain how to
| proceed. do you still care for this
other chap"
! The tightening of her arms and the
trust and confidence with which she
enough. She stood silently by the rail
for a moment and watched Timora
Island fade on the horizon
christopher" Denise broke the
magic spell. How will I introduce
you to my family? I don't know your
! last name"
He laughed. Il hope that you're
not afraid that I'll disgrace you be-
fore your people" he teased her. and
then seeing the CONSERVATION of her
expression. became serious. In Eng
land I'm know as Christopher. Lord
Grant. I assure you that it is an an
cient and honored name If you care
for title you may call yourself Lady
Denise But" he smiled gently Il
don't think that we will concern our
selves with that
The speck on the horizon that was
Timora Island faded out of sight
Never again would they visit the place
where John Pearson and Douglas
MacCauley had died They we're re-
turning to the world they had left,
once more to resume their position
in its affairs
The last thing that disappeared over
the curve of the sea was the little
white house on top of Christophers
hill. Harry Lane" Denise said
reminiscently, turning to Christopher.
I'm glad that you gave him your
home. He's sending for his wife to
come" She looked away, her eyes
misty. Harry Lane was fine man.
1T was very generous of you"
Il can afford to be generous" Lord
Grant replied graphically. II have all
that want"
Denise closed her eyes when he
kissed her and pretended that she
didn't know what he meant.
Copyright 1889
The End
Beginning Monday: Louise Holmes
new novelette,, the beautiful story of
Woman's tragic devotion to a man
Ny,'t L.